From the Single Mom's Law School Experience, then "Almost Attorney" to FINALLY an Esquire!: It's Official, I am DONE!

Friday, April 16, 2010

It's Official, I am DONE!

Well, it's official, I finished up my last law school class ever! A 20 page paper, and four finals and my life is my own again. I cannot tell you what it felt like to drive to school this morning, walk into the law school and sit in the classroom where my journey began. My last law school class was conducted in the same room. There was a strange irony in this. Rock on!

4 comments:

AnonymousApril 17, 2010 at 4:31 PM
I stumbled across your blog and all I can say is THANK YOU for documenting your experience! My son is 15 months, I will be a single mother starting law school this fall and quite frankly, (although i'm ready!) I've been feeling a little unnerved about the whole thing. Thus far, your blog is the only thing i've found that speaks to this specific experience . . . I've been sitting here reading it for about an hour and a half straight, lol.

Just wanted to let you know that you've helped another soul out there :) BTW, congratulations!!!
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LisaApril 17, 2010 at 4:33 PM
So glad you found me!! And you made my day by letting me know that it has helped. As you go through the process, please feel free to post a question......my mission right now is to help single parents get through this process. It's a great experience...hold on tight, because it is going to be a fantastic ride!
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AnonymousApril 23, 2010 at 9:02 PM
Lisa. Congratulations! I too am recently single mom about to begin my journey through law school. I have two kids.. 6 and 2. Thank you so much for sharing this part of your life--You have no idea how much your blog has helped me.
I look forward to all the info you have to share...the brief and outlines will, I'm sure, be extremely helpful and help demystify it all.
Thanks again. I wish you and your girl the best.
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LisaApril 23, 2010 at 10:38 PM
Thanks! I will take that congrats! And I am so happy to share what I know. I am excited for you and the journey that you are going to embark on! I don't want to repeat it for sure, I am ready for the next step....but there is a strange part of me that envies you and your new journey....these past three years have been a beautiful journey that I will cherish forever. Hugs to you-----and to your precious 2 kids.....hang on, it's gonna be a wild ride.
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FAQ

Lots of people ask me: how do you do it? How do you attend law school and raise a child alone? My answer is simply that you prioritize. You approach school as an 8 to 5 job. I take Friday evenings and Saturday's off. Study a bit on Sundays. For me this works. It means not being a part of the "social" things at school, and that time between your classes is in the library studying. But that's okay. You will have different goals then the students who are single with no children.

How do you afford it? Student loans........yes, you heard me. My reasoning is that my earning capacity will double, but likely triple, which means that I can afford to take on the debt to pay for a better future for my daughter and I.

Does you daughter resent you studying? No. Sometimes she gets frustrated, but she really does understand the bigger picture. She is my biggest supporter. I have learned to include her by taking her to class with me when I can, by having her help me study with flash cards, and by taking her to appropriate events at school. In fact, I did an incoming student panel one year, and the administration of the school had her speak as well. We are a team, and that includes this journey.