50 Awesome Things About Law School - #47

A blog by Diane Kim, 2L 

47. A pass to guilt-free Type A behavior 

This past week, the 2Ls and 3Ls had to register for classes. Now, 1Ls, you'll realize it in a few months when it's time to register for Fall 2010 classes, but it is NOT fun. For weeks leading up to registration, all people can talk about is which class they are taking, which professors are good, which classes have the easy A's, etc. The library will leave out the previous years' grade books on the counter because everyone asks to see them. Alumni will be consulted. Upperclassmen will be hunted down (for their advice). Dozens of mass emails will be sent among friends trying to figure out which litigation class to take. You will memorize CRN numbers. Discuss methods of shaving milliseconds off your login time. Check and recheck to make sure you have no holds on your account. Never in your entire law school career will you be able to be so unapologetically Type A. All bets are off. No expenses spared. No friends, only enemies. It's a scary time. 

So as a guide, I present: How Type A are You? Quiz 

1) When you planned your classes, you:
- created an Excel spreadsheet. (+3 points)
- drew a schedule chart/grid on paper to plan your classes. (+2 points)
- made a list—no charts or graphs, just a simple bullet-pointed list. (+1 point)
- did it all in your head. (+3 points because I'm jealous of your ability to do that.)

2) When you asked advice of an alumnus, upperclassman, and/or professor, you:
- made an appointment to meet in person. (+3)
- made wrote an email. (+2)
- asked in a happen-chance passing. (+1)
- Who needs advice? You choose the easiest classes according to the grade books, of course. (-1)

3) You started look at the list of available classes:
- two weeks before registration. (+3)
- one week before registration. (+2)
- the weekend before registration. (+1)
- the morning of registration. (-3 points. Email me. You're my hero.)

4) On Facebook, if there is a post asking people about classes:
- you made that post. (+3)
- you commented on that post. (+2)
- you liked that post. (+1)
- you commented on that post making fun of the three aforementioned people. (-3)

5) On your internet browser:
- You bookmarked PAWS. (+1)
- You bookmarked GoSolar. (+2)
- GoSolar and/or PAWS became your most visited website by the time registration rolled around. (+3)

6) You carefully plan your schedule:
- around the best professor--even if it means a Friday morning class. (+3)
- around rush hour. (+2)
- around not coming to school on Fridays or Saturdays like normal people would. (+1)

7) You have your future schedule planned out:
- until you graduate. (+3)
- only for the next semester. (+2)
- You barely know what you're eating for dinner, much less, next semester. (-1)

8) How much do you talk about registration?
- You have a mass email circulating among friend discussing which classes to take. (+3)
- You talk in the lobby for 30+ minutes about which classes to take. (+2)
- You only talk about it before class just to make polite conversation, all the while thinking, "Don't these people have lives??" (-3)

9) On the actual morning of registration, you:
- sit next to the resident tech geek *cough*CharlieBritt*cough* and hit refresh every time he hits refresh (+4)
- bring a mouse and ethernet cord for your laptop. Wireless isn't good enough. Anything for the split millisecond advantage. (+3)
- come to school even when you don't have to because you want to be physically closer to the server. (+2)
- you sleep in and miss it. (-3 if you are a 3L; -100 if you are a 2L)

41 to 60 points: The True, Scrappy Type A
Congratulations on finding your way to law school. The world would have been a cold, lonely, and dark place to your uptight, anal-retentive, OCD self. Yes, you've gained about 176 other competitors, but at least you are no longer alone. Embrace your pass to guilt-free Type-A behavior that is AWESOME! 

21 to 40 points: The Everyday Type A
I hope you are in Law Review, Moot Court, STLA, or are related to a federal judge because you need something else to make up for your inadequacy. Perhaps I could suggest a more leisurely career? Such as firefighting? Or brain surgery? Nuclear physics? 

1 to 20 points: The I'm-Only-Type-A-Because-My-Parents-Expect-Me-to-Be Type A
See that 'Contribute to The Docket' link on the bottom of the page? I seriously suggest you click it and start exploring other options that involve a J.D. Are you sure you didn't come to law school because you didn't know what you wanted to do after graduating from UGA and figured this was the best way to keep living on Daddy's dime? 

0 to -150 points: Type B
You are either Judson Mallory or are lost. Why are you in law school? Get out before it's too late.

Now go back to the poll and go vote!!