In advance anticipation of purchasing a house, I got the bug to start cleaning today (Rachie, did you like "in advance anticipation"?). What did I finally get rid of? The following wonderful law school books: 2005 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, 2006 Corporations and Other Business Associations Statutes, Rules and Forms, the barbri upper level review (con law, corporations, crim pro, evidence, wills, & trusts) , and the 2008 Selected Federal Taxation Statutes and regulations. Why on earth did I hold onto these books for so damn long? Especially since statutes and regs change annually? I have no idea. Perhaps I am a packrat. Any guesses as to how many tabs were in the Tax regs book? 52. 52 tabs, marking important tax law sections including the hope and lifetime learning credit and capital gains. Sheesh.
Perhaps I held on to the books to remind myself that I actually went to law school. Looking over them, and some other case books I've held on to, I realize that my law school experience feels like a bad dream. Perhaps it never even happened. I can't quite remember anything except being stressed out and rather unhappy. The only thing I have to remind me of my experience now is a terrible debt. I write brief legal analyses frequently at work...and when I write long analyses I'm immediately brought back to the print-outs of our final exam essays with the word "CONCLUSORY" written in bright red marker.
I wasn't unhappy the entire time I was in law school. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed every single health law course I took. Which I guess shows that I'm somewhat on track...working in health care compliance. But it's not really what...I thought...I'd be doing? Did it really take me going to law school to realize that my passion is health care (insurance) compliance? To make that light bulb go off I had to pay over $100,000. Was it really worth it to plow through law school with mediocre grades that resulted in continued dissatisfaction with myself? Seriously, who touts a GPA of 3.1 for an advanced degree?
Ugh. Even now, 2 years after graduating from law school, all I have are questions. And stupid reg books that will be taken out with the recycling on Monday morning.
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5 comments:
So that's how you spell Barbri...
You really were unhappy. Glad you know what your interests are.
Yeah, I remember that day too. What I took from it was the wonderful people I met and how they will continue to change my life. You're one of them! :) Hope you can remember more of the good things, and less of the Butterfoss and Thompson lectures!!!
I have several thoughts:
1. Advanced anticipation--is that just being really, really proactive? I love it.
2. I'm glad you're recycling the books and not burning them in effigy (thought that would certainly be understandable).
3. I also remember you being stressed out and unhappy, but you never seemed defeated. I think your solid B average demonstrates that. It's not like a law degree is something easy. Otherwise, everyone would have one.
4. You never know when/how your experiences are going to come in handy. Maybe you aren't using your degree as much as you want to now, but maybe that doesn't matter. Maybe you wouldn't have gotten this job without the law degree, even though it may not be "required." Maybe you wouldn't have decided on the health care route definitively without the "Awesomeness of Midwives." Maybe you won't realize its significance until 20 years from now. Who know, who knows, who knows...
5. And I'm equally fascinated by the spelling of "barbri."
Oh Anna...I hear you on this. Law school was a pretty miserable experience, but at least you like your current job! Also, I'm glad I got to meet you at HUSL - that makes me smile. Perhaps you should burn the books, as it might feel good (I'm not claiming that it would be good for the environment). We could have a law book bonfire, as I need to get rid of some of my old books too. Sadder yet, I found law books from 1999, when I was at the U of M! Ridiculous.
PS - Tax class SUCKED! What's her name had it out for you, I swear.
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