Orientation is Over.

Days 2 and 3 of orientation are over. We set up our computers so they could access the school’s wireless network. The configurations went surprisingly well. I thought for sure I would have to need the help of Nick Burns the Computer Guy and undergo a gauntlet of insults, but that didn’t happen since the instructions in the handouts were understandable, well written and effective. I was a little off guard because we actually had our first class (legal research/writing) during orientation. I thought it was going to be a ‘meet-n-greet’, but it was a full fledged class that took the whole time allotted for that slot.

There were speeches by people in various departments. We also listened to a description of our class profile. I’m not the oldest guy in our class!!!! HOTDAMN!!! There were free continental breakfasts on all three days which made me happy even though I wasn’t that hungry; the thought matters. We also had a free lunch at our school’s dining hall on Friday.

Lastly, I have access to Lexis Nexis and Westlaw, two of the largest electronic commercial databases out there. I have no idea which one I’ll like better. It sort of reminds me of the larger chemistry electronic databases out there: Scifinder and Beilstein. People often pick a side and swear allegiance to one or the other but not both. I wonder if that is how it will be with Lexis and Westlaw.

Orientation: Day 1

The first day of orientation is over. Although the temperature wasn’t that high, the weather was sweltering outside because of the dreadful humidity. By the time I walked from the visitor’s parking lot to the law building, I was sweating like a whore in church. It was awful and embarrassing. The first day wasn’t simply a meet-n-greet. We received our student ID’s, carrel assignment and key, and we set up our laptops so we could access the law school’s wireless internet system. The instructions for setting up the software went surprisingly smoothly. A group of 3 or 4 1L’s had lunch with a 2L or 3L somewhere off campus. We had Mexican which I enjoyed. It’s hard to go wrong with that choice unless there is a royal pain in the ass vegan type in the group, but fortunately that wasn’t the case. All of us in our lunch group went to UNC undergrad. Coincidence? I think not!

After the end of the day 1 orientation, I went to my carrel not to study but to surf the net. I still don’t have an internet connection at home and am not sure if I will get at my apartment. After checking my emails, chatting on a forum and catching up on my favorite blogs, I packed my belongings and went to the book store to buy my case books. As I was searching for my text books, an older man searching the law texts greeted me and picked out a book from what looked like a class for a 2L or 3L. Surely this guy isn’t a student? Then again, I’ve heard of people well into their 60s enter law school.

I couldn’t find the last book I needed, The Blue Book. I asked the guy if he knew where they were. He said sure and further added that if I had time to go back to his office, he would give me a Blue Book for free. I said “For a free book, I’ll make the time!” It turns out the guy was a law professor, and he receives freebies from publishers such as The Blue Book. I went to his office and picked up the book. That’s a $50 savings, people!

He then gave me some studying advice in preparation for a law school exam. The advice was in accordance with similar advice I’ve heard from other professors, lawyers and law students. I thanked the professor for the gift and went on my way.