From the Single Mom's Law School Experience, then "Almost Attorney" to FINALLY an Esquire!: The Safety Net

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The Safety Net

I found myself the other day researching graduate schools. I have been struggling with the fact that many of my friends are returning to law school, but I am now graduated and out of the club. What is funny to me is they think I am nuts for wanting to be in classes. I tell them graduating is not always all it's cracked up to be. I found myself looking at options for forensic psychology or an LLM/JSD. I am frankly confused by my behavior.

Then an astute family member said something to me. School was my safety net. I knew the rules, I was really good at it, and it's safe. Right now I am without a safety net, my future is a bit uncertain, I have no job --- but rest assured I am ready to conquer this new area.

She was right. I want to go back because I know I do not fail at school. And right now, my life is in a holding pattern. I really cannot do much until my bar results. So I am stuck. Without direction, and seemingly without a purpose. I like goals, I like direction, I like to know where I am going. Where I am at is scary and I am not seeing it as a fun journey, but an out of control roller coaster 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.