WHEW!! I'm only on day 2 of this ordeal and I already feel like the life has been sucked out of my by school and the baby. It doesn't help that one has to lug around 80 lbs of books either!!!! Great new tip: ASK FOR A LOCKER. Not all sdchools have lockers, in this case, see if there are desks in the library for personal use. You will THANK ME!
Off to finish the ritualized hazing that is the first week of 1L year. Til next time.
Tired, cranky, and pretty much fed up already.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Brief 1: Last Minute Preparations
(11w 6d)
Less than 72 hours to go until I step foot into the first day of Orientation, and boy am I excited!!! And scared to death as well :-) Not that I'm going to show any sign of weakness! Imagine the strength you already possess of taking on not only one of the hardest graduate programs in the country but also the creating of LIFE at the same time!! No one else in that class will have the same strength :) Focus on that and not your knocking and shaking knees!
The goal for the semester (as of now). **Stay ahead of the game** Anticipate. This actually seems to make this year all that most interesting. (As if the unknown and threat of law professors wasn't anxiety-ridden enough!)
In fact, the idea of other things to anticipate came to mind and I sat down to come up with a list. Law school is a whirlwind enough, stopping to run a mere errand amongst case briefs, readings, and doctors appointments could be as impossible as opening an umbrella in a hurricane. NOW is the time to work on these. If you are already in the school year, these still pertain to you. Do these IMMEDIATELY!
---ROLLING BRIEFCASE: I had a revelation this past week while struggling to carry my 30 lb sack of bones (i.e. my 4 year old son) up the stairs. How in the world at 9 months pregnant will I carry ALL THOSE BOOKS AND THE LAPTOP? I promptly went out and purchased a rolling bag. Target and Walmart carry inexpensive yet quality ones that I am sure will do the job! If you have not received your reading list for the year yet, let's just say I probably have 2-3 REQUIRED books per class, not counting supplemental material. This may seem supurfulous but in the grand scheme, I don't want to be knocking down the doors of every office store trying to find a bag when all other students have procured theirs AFTER finding out they need them (And they aren't even pregnant!!). If anyone has endured pregnancy, or seen a pregnant women at 6-9 months, we're already breathless and swollen, let's try to make this as easy as possible!! This is Rachel's #1 tip for school supply preparation for law school: ROLLING BRIEFCASE!
---DATE PLANNER: A close #2 for that school supply preparation list is the purchase of a date planner to record ALL events. Pregnancy hormones have a way of eliminating brain power, which will already be consumed with Torts, Property & Contracts. Make sure to purchase and enter all information and keep up with this.
---CLOTHES: Another thought was the idea of staying below the radar from the professors. Entering into the first year of law school already targets you as fresh meat for those hungry salivating law professors who have waited all summer to pounce on you on the first day. The very protrusion of a baby bump can bring with it wanted & unwanted attention, jokes, and even an underestimation of you by the Professors. The bullseye already drawn on my forehead is going to be avoided from growing in size if possible through disguise of clothes. I have found that A-line shirts provide that shade of the protruding baby muffin top without saying "pregnant". Since I am only ending my first trimester, I may be able to slip by for a while and just look like I indulged in one too many donuts in the student break room.
**(Note: I have already informed the school solely based on the welcoming atmosphere of the faculty & to gain an idea for what is expected around delivery time as far as attendance is concerned. NOt all law schools are as welcoming and generous. Some have a strict attendance policy and others don't. Check with your law school simply on the attendance policy and judge if you need to fill them in prior to entrance and/or showing of the baby bump).**
---DOCTOR: Set up preexisting appointments with the OB. Check with the office for their cancellation policy in case a last minute issue comes up at school. Nothing is more important than your child but rescheduling of appointments can and WILL occur
---EMERGENCY CONTACTS: Have a list of emergency numbers available in your bag
---Inform the school when you are ready (It's always best they hear it from you, not someone else).
---REGISTRY: Start thinking on what you will need to purchase and the timeline that the delivery would fall within the school year (If you're lucky it'll be in the summer or fall break! That didnt' happen with me so I'm just winging it!)
---NUTRITION: Carry snacks with you!! Portable snacks and water are vital to the nutrition of the baby, as well as being available during the day. Who wants to risk losing their prime spot in the library for studying by having to slowly waddle down to the vending machine?
---Don't forget to log your pregnancy. (With all the bustle of law school your pregnancy you fly by and you'll want to reflect on this time. Maybe not the torture of the socratic method, but perhaps how the little one kicked your bladder all during your midterm exams)
I will be sitting down each week (Hopefully) to fulfill my weekly goal of blogging and anticipating what will be to come (Dr appts, upcoming milestones in pregnancy, school events, finals, etc). At the end of all this I will edit to make sure all experiences are not simply anticipations, but more of reality :)
Happy blogging & pregnancy!
R
Less than 72 hours to go until I step foot into the first day of Orientation, and boy am I excited!!! And scared to death as well :-) Not that I'm going to show any sign of weakness! Imagine the strength you already possess of taking on not only one of the hardest graduate programs in the country but also the creating of LIFE at the same time!! No one else in that class will have the same strength :) Focus on that and not your knocking and shaking knees!
The goal for the semester (as of now). **Stay ahead of the game** Anticipate. This actually seems to make this year all that most interesting. (As if the unknown and threat of law professors wasn't anxiety-ridden enough!)
In fact, the idea of other things to anticipate came to mind and I sat down to come up with a list. Law school is a whirlwind enough, stopping to run a mere errand amongst case briefs, readings, and doctors appointments could be as impossible as opening an umbrella in a hurricane. NOW is the time to work on these. If you are already in the school year, these still pertain to you. Do these IMMEDIATELY!
---ROLLING BRIEFCASE: I had a revelation this past week while struggling to carry my 30 lb sack of bones (i.e. my 4 year old son) up the stairs. How in the world at 9 months pregnant will I carry ALL THOSE BOOKS AND THE LAPTOP? I promptly went out and purchased a rolling bag. Target and Walmart carry inexpensive yet quality ones that I am sure will do the job! If you have not received your reading list for the year yet, let's just say I probably have 2-3 REQUIRED books per class, not counting supplemental material. This may seem supurfulous but in the grand scheme, I don't want to be knocking down the doors of every office store trying to find a bag when all other students have procured theirs AFTER finding out they need them (And they aren't even pregnant!!). If anyone has endured pregnancy, or seen a pregnant women at 6-9 months, we're already breathless and swollen, let's try to make this as easy as possible!! This is Rachel's #1 tip for school supply preparation for law school: ROLLING BRIEFCASE!
---DATE PLANNER: A close #2 for that school supply preparation list is the purchase of a date planner to record ALL events. Pregnancy hormones have a way of eliminating brain power, which will already be consumed with Torts, Property & Contracts. Make sure to purchase and enter all information and keep up with this.
---CLOTHES: Another thought was the idea of staying below the radar from the professors. Entering into the first year of law school already targets you as fresh meat for those hungry salivating law professors who have waited all summer to pounce on you on the first day. The very protrusion of a baby bump can bring with it wanted & unwanted attention, jokes, and even an underestimation of you by the Professors. The bullseye already drawn on my forehead is going to be avoided from growing in size if possible through disguise of clothes. I have found that A-line shirts provide that shade of the protruding baby muffin top without saying "pregnant". Since I am only ending my first trimester, I may be able to slip by for a while and just look like I indulged in one too many donuts in the student break room.
**(Note: I have already informed the school solely based on the welcoming atmosphere of the faculty & to gain an idea for what is expected around delivery time as far as attendance is concerned. NOt all law schools are as welcoming and generous. Some have a strict attendance policy
---DOCTOR: Set up preexisting appointments with the OB. Check with the office for their cancellation policy in case a last minute issue comes up at school. Nothing is more important than your child but rescheduling of appointments can and WILL occur
---EMERGENCY CONTACTS: Have a list of emergency numbers available in your bag
---Inform the school when you are ready (It's always best they hear it from you, not someone else).
---REGISTRY: Start thinking on what you will need to purchase and the timeline that the delivery would fall within the school year (If you're lucky it'll be in the summer or fall break! That didnt' happen with me so I'm just winging it!)
---NUTRITION: Carry snacks with you!! Portable snacks and water are vital to the nutrition of the baby, as well as being available during the day. Who wants to risk losing their prime spot in the library for studying by having to slowly waddle down to the vending machine?
---Don't forget to log your pregnancy. (With all the bustle of law school your pregnancy you fly by and you'll want to reflect on this time. Maybe not the torture of the socratic method, but perhaps how the little one kicked your bladder all during your midterm exams)
I will be sitting down each week (Hopefully) to fulfill my weekly goal of blogging and anticipating what will be to come (Dr appts, upcoming milestones in pregnancy, school events, finals, etc). At the end of all this I will edit to make sure all experiences are not simply anticipations, but more of reality :)
Happy blogging & pregnancy!
R
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Battling morning sickness
I have the nervous bubble guts (not the gross kind. More like the want to throw up from nervousness and morning sickness kind. Okay that's gross too). I realized I have 33 days until Dean's Reception & Orientation.
After talking about law school for years, it's finally here. And so is the morning sickness, as my last few blog posts mentioned. Think I've found the key. Ginger root capsules X 3 times a day. :-) Now if only ginger root could heal law school anticipation and nervousness....
Although I was lucky enough to have the bulk of my first trimester in the summer, many of you are not so lucky and are battling the morning sickness during law school. Here are some tips to coping:
---WATER, WATER, WATER. Even if you don't want to drink, you will find that water can help to cure most ailments during pregnancy
---Preggie Pops - These lollipops can be found online or in grocery stores. They are chalk full of ginger and will help to ease your stomach
---Natural vitamins- B6 and ginger pills will most definitely help to ease the queasiness but DO NOT take on an empty stomach. When they come back up, it's not so nice.
---Talk to your doctor. ALWAYS talk to your doctor if you have immense morning sickness. They can perhaps prescribe something for you. Mine recommended dramamine, unisom (which is a sleepaid but loses effect after the first few uses) and B6). Honestly, I didn't use any of these. I stuck to the preggo pops but I hear they work wonders
---Eat SMALL meals. Do NOT indulge in that large cheeseburger and frenchfries just b/c the 2inch fetus inside your belly WANTS you to. You WILL be regretting it as you're over the toilet. Small and bland meals will help you most. Now is when you should carry with you crackers and water.
Happy Pregnancy :)
After talking about law school for years, it's finally here. And so is the morning sickness, as my last few blog posts mentioned. Think I've found the key. Ginger root capsules X 3 times a day. :-) Now if only ginger root could heal law school anticipation and nervousness....
Although I was lucky enough to have the bulk of my first trimester in the summer, many of you are not so lucky and are battling the morning sickness during law school. Here are some tips to coping:
---WATER, WATER, WATER. Even if you don't want to drink, you will find that water can help to cure most ailments during pregnancy
---Preggie Pops - These lollipops can be found online or in grocery stores. They are chalk full of ginger and will help to ease your stomach
---Natural vitamins- B6 and ginger pills will most definitely help to ease the queasiness but DO NOT take on an empty stomach. When they come back up, it's not so nice.
---Talk to your doctor. ALWAYS talk to your doctor if you have immense morning sickness. They can perhaps prescribe something for you. Mine recommended dramamine, unisom (which is a sleepaid but loses effect after the first few uses) and B6). Honestly, I didn't use any of these. I stuck to the preggo pops but I hear they work wonders
---Eat SMALL meals. Do NOT indulge in that large cheeseburger and frenchfries just b/c the 2inch fetus inside your belly WANTS you to. You WILL be regretting it as you're over the toilet. Small and bland meals will help you most. Now is when you should carry with you crackers and water.
Happy Pregnancy :)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Straight Up Sick.
Yesterday I posted about queasiness, the further along I go the more I realize that it's getting worse. With my son, morning sickness arrived one day and never left. I'm apprehensive about school classes while attempting to not puke all over myself. Trip to the grocery store yesterday led me to smell every offensive smell possible; fish market, body odor, cleaning products. Even the delectable looking cakes smelled like rat poison. Ahh...to have my lack of smell sense back to normal..hurry up!
This ongoing and increasing morning sickness is leading to many doubts on whether I will be able to endure the critical first few weeks of law school.
In the words of a a favorite tank engine, I think I can I think I can. Not throw up. Not throw up.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Queasiness & Upcoming orientation
The closer orientation and the first day of classes comes, it seems the queasier I get by the day. At this point I can't tell you whether it's the doubting thoughts, first trimester or the scary stories that I've been hearing about. You know the stories I'm talking about. Yelling professors, throwing of text books when a student doesn't know an answer. Perhaps being pregnant in law school will be good, after all, they can't throw a Civ Pro book at a pregnant lady, right?
Ginger root and ginger ale have been my best friend. My thoughts are to invest in a small cooler to stick in the locker to keep cool water and crackers in. Must keep going.
While the rest of the upcoming 1L students are focusing on reading summer prep books (I had already done this :) ), I'm focusing on ultrasounds and prenatal vitamins. At this point, I wouldn't change a thing :)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Home stretch of summer....
Here I am in the home stretch of summer, and have read every self-help law student guide under the sun. Apartment was leased, all books were purchased, financial aid was (mostly) completed, however, things have taken for a quick turn recently.
This week we found out that we will be expecting baby #2 in March.
Yes, smack dab in the middle of Spring semester. That allows for the timeline to leave morning sickness during orientation and beginning of law school. I'm prepared to do what I need to do. I haven't come this far to back off and run away. Now more than ever I have felt a motivation and push to fulfill my dreams as well as what is planned for my life. I greatly appreciate all my friends and family who have refrained from asking if I'm capable of doing this. I think by this point in my life they know (a) I can and (b) if I couldn't, the mere question of doubting me would inspire me to kick butt more than ever.
It definitely helps how supportive my parents and husband have been. They've been reassuringabout this entire process so far :) (All 3 days of it!)
I am starting this blog a few weeks prior to moving to get a head-start on my journey through law school and pregnancy. I hope that the real life lessons learned in this blog will evolve into a helpful list of hints and references for future families who contemplate pursuing law school during a pregnancy and with a newborn. I have been discouraged reading the internet at the lack of resources and negativity in forums over pregnancy in law school. Anything can be accomplished if you want to and have to. I hope to inspire others who find themselves blessed in this way to continue their education and follow their dreams.
The goal here is not to talk about all the disgusting factors of pregnancy. Rather, this is the focus on survival of a mom entering the battlefield of law school amongst the Socratic Method and all nighters while attempting to subdue morning sickness and make it to OB appointments.
Thank you to my friend January for the clever title of "diapers & briefs". Thanks for tuning in and I hope to provide some comic relief mixed among all the stressful months that lay ahead! Feel free to leave comments, I'd love to hear some feedback.
Until next time,
Pre-1L - Rachel
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