Apparently clarification is needed

Posted by K at 5:55 PM

In a previous post I admitted my odd feelings about wanting other classmates to do poorly. Since I received an anonymous comment telling me to practice being a member of the human race I thought I would clarify my feelings. As to practicing being a member of the human race all I can do is continue to reflect on what it means to be human and how I would like to contribute to society. (I'm sure those of you who actually know me are laughing at the thought that I lack compassion.)

There is something to be said about having on average three boozing opportunities a week at my law school. What that something is time will tell. The line has been drawn between those classmates who like to party and those who have yet to make it to a social function. I wonder how these more social classmates are able to keep up in their coursework and socialize. I barely have time to clean my house and have to force myself to take time out to cook a decent meal. So yes, I admitted that I feel strange in wanting some of my classmates to do poorly but I don't think it makes me less of a human being, nor a bitch for admitting a thought that has probably gone through several law students' minds. I'm not the first. When there is curve there is an odd feeling of comfort knowing who is not studying, not coming to class having read the material, or not coming to class at all. I'll say it again--it's an ODD feeling and is one that I don't necessarily want or welcome.

Think about it. If you're going out on the weekends to get drunk as several of my classmates do you are losing prime study time. I'm not going to be sympathetic towards these individuals come finals. I'm not saying that you can't socialize, I'm just questioning how much effort is being put into studying if you're focused on where you're drinking tonight. And it's not that I don't socialize, I'm just finding that I have to plan to do it very wisely, which sucks.

If pointing out that choosing to regularly booze over studying makes me a bitch then so be it. It just seems like a poor choice to me. It also seems obvious that those who make this choice will possibly regret it come finals.

 

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9 Comments:

  1. JD-Maybe said...
    October 5, 2008 at 7:51 PM  
    I think ur NOT HUMAN if you don't secretly wish others would fail. It's natural ur the only one brave enough to say it. Shit I send people my notes, my outlines etc but really im thinking I hope u fail... :) jk---kinda
    Krista said...
    October 5, 2008 at 8:03 PM  
    I don't cook decent meals or clean; that's how i find time to booze. lol. I'm just kidding. I don't think you're being a bitch at all. You're simply expressing your opinion. What shocks me more than the nightly drinking is the nightly drinking and the regular contribution to class. Must not b sleeping...

    Anyway, I'm in the same boat as you. I definitely get out a lot, but I spend most of my weekends in the library. It's a fair trade to me. ;)
    K said...
    October 5, 2008 at 8:08 PM  
    Glad to know I'm not an uber bee-atch.
    (In)Sanity Gal said...
    October 5, 2008 at 8:39 PM  
    Wishing that others might fail is a natural part of being under the thumb of the curve. It can't really be any other way - somebody has to be at the bottom so that somebody else can be at the top. And you sure as hell don't want it to be you. If you gave other people fake notes, stole their books, beat them up in a back alley before the exam - these things might make you a bitch. Short of that, it seems to me that you're doing just fine maintaining your humanity.
    Anonymous said...
    October 5, 2008 at 8:53 PM  
    I don't think clarification was needed at all. And I think you're fully, a card carrying member of the human race. There is nothing wrong with being competitive in law school. There is nothing wrong with hoping that working harder than others will reap you sweeter rewards. That is human. And you don't have to defend yourself. Those of us who study more than we booze understood you the first time AND THINK YOU'RE AWESOME!
    Laughing said...
    October 5, 2008 at 9:07 PM  
    I get what you are saying, and I understand the nature of the curve, but I also think its a bit premature to pass judgment on those who go out and party. There are people in my class who study all the time - to the extent that they are whipping themselves up into a frenzy, and I'm sure that a lot less of the material sticks in your head when you are studying and stressing to the point of panic attacks. Just because some people go out doesn't mean that you can expect them to do poorly - grades and the amount of time spent studying aren't that tidy of a ratio.

    Or, at least that's the vibe I get at my school, which is admittedly more of a "lifestyle" school, where students aim for a work/school/life balance. I think the best balance you can strike is just to worry about yourself and forget about everyone else. If you take care of your needs (to study) and your wants (to not lose yourself in law school) then I would hope that you could be happy knowing you had done your best. (ugh, too sappy at the end?)
    Law Ingenue said...
    October 6, 2008 at 5:08 AM  
    There's some justice in knowing that you studied hard while some of your classmates partied hard and at the end of the term, you have good grades while they're trying to explain to their parents why they need to move home.
    Anonymous said...
    October 6, 2008 at 10:00 AM  
    I'm so with Rebecca! I can't believe "anonymous" (so lacking in balls to make that comment anonymously) questioned your humanity. It's completely human to be competitive in law school. It's part of the game. I don't spend 24-7 studying, but I wouldn't be surprised if a classmate who saw how much time I spend say, surfing immigration forums, would be just a little happy to see that wasted time. I'd rather embrace the strange competitive atmosphere somewhat honestly than pretend it doesn't exist.
    Anonymous said...
    October 6, 2008 at 12:19 PM  
    I would question whether you are a member of the human race if you didn't want certain people to fail. I know I do. Don't worry about it!

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