Sowande, 2L

Law school is work like nothing else. It feels like from wake to sleep, and even sometimes in dreams, my mind has been working nonstop.

Even though each class is academically demanding beyond almost anything I've ever experienced, there are student organizations and events that one really should consider joining and attending because one never knows who will be there, who one may find interesting, and what early-90's jams one might be reunited with.

The importance of the connections made with members of student organizations and classmates, outside of the classroom, is magnified in law school many times over because there is a "through the fire" bond that takes hold. "We're in this together" comes to mind.

Being a member of NUSL's very active Black Law Student's Association has connected me with other students who understand the nuances of life that I am used to, and how those nuances fit into law school. Being a member of Queer Caucus has set me up with a network of students with whom I can talk about anything, and who understand contemporary marginalization and how that applies to the law school experience.

About 4 weeks ago, I attended the Northeast Black Law Student's Association welcome event, hosted by Suffolk University--greens, mac n cheese, biscuits, YES! Around the same time, I found myself in a fantastic downtown law firm along with fellow NUSL and other local law school students being welcomed [back] to law school by the Massachusetts Lesbian Gay Bar Association. Just this last week, many of the multi-cultural student organizations have had potlucks with ample amounts of amazing food.

Please take a look at the variety of student organizations at NUSL. Even take a moment to make contact if you wish because these are the outlets that will let you cut loose, get your hands dirty in learning the law, cut a rug to some Michell'e, and get you fed.

Posted by Sowande at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A couple of things have happened recently:

First, it's gotten a little chilly! Thank goodness for inexpensive shopping at Downtown Crossing (a 10 minute ride by T). H&M was subjected to the power of my mighty wallet, and $20.00 of my fury. I picked up an hilarious hat, gloves (two pair!) and a scarf.

Second, but most notably, my uncle passed away last week. A great man and a scholar in Economics, nationally and in the San Francisco Bay Area, David Landes was the benefactor of my "Chump Change Scholarship", where I was endowed each month with $25.00 to do with whatever I please.

This occurrence has brought up what I think is a very important issue.

It's essential to remember that although law school is a life-changing experience, life continues to move forward. In deciding what school I would attend, I was careful to look into what sort of support system was available.

Knowing and looking into anything from having family members close by to what sort of counseling health services the university has to offer is crucial because you really never know. So if something unexpected happens, you want to be able to get back on your feet and to be able to have a healthy space to heal if necessary. Awesome housemates (which I happen to have), new friends, and local family are all very helpful, but just in case it's always good to know what the school has to offer.

During orientation, we were given presentations by key contacts from University Health Services, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, a local agency that also has resources for law school students, and the University Police Department.

Posted by Sowande at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I got asked a question by a reader, and wanted to answer it briefly but then got caught up in a memo and decided, "why not make the answer to the question the entire blog for this week..."

Is that cheap? I don't think so. There are many more weeks ahead and I did say that I would shape the blog around what people ask:

So, reader asks why I chose Northeastern... hmmmm.

That's been an interesting question that I've gotten from a lot of people here in Boston when they find out that I came from the west coast.

That Northeastern is in Boston, or that it is so far from where I am from, had very little influence on my decision to attend. Northeastern seemed like the type of school where I would graduate with something unique under my belt other just than a school name.

The education is both traditional and non-traditional. We take the usual American Bar Association courses, but we are also taking a very intense social justice component throughout our first year.

In my first post, I mentioned my appreciation of context. My undergraduate studies allowed for quite a bit of contextual discussion, and I wanted to continue that in law school. The social justice component has us reading very dense, yet relevant cases and journal articles that allow us to relate a lot of the “dry� materials we learn in our traditional courses with contemporary social issues.

And I also have to mention Co-op. All of the local legal community is aware of Northeastern students and our co-ops; four 11-week internships to put it bluntly. I was at an event recently, and as soon as I mentioned that I was a 1L at Northeastern, the member of the legal community with whom I was speaking says, “Oh, you Northeastern grads come ‘practice-ready’.�

Now… all of this is said with one thing in mind—winter is not yet upon us. Be sure to check back to see what I think once it really starts to get cold.

Posted by Sowande at 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So here you are. You've taken a crucial step in your search for educational fulfillment and you probably want to know what to do, who to talk to, where to live, what you'll eat, why Northeastern, why Boston... why law school...

I've got to say, "congratulations to you," because seeking out what it is students have to say about where they are going to law school, and why, is an essential resource. These blogs give you a rare opportunity to read about what those of us going through the process are thinking--okay, maybe some of us wonder what we were thinking once in a while so there's definitely quite a bit to say. So folks, with that in mind, I'm really going to encourage you to read everyone's blog.

"Just who is this Sowande guy?"

I grew up in Santa Barbara, California, spent a [very] long time figuring out where I was headed in my undergraduate studies, and took my time exploring many different areas of study before graduating with my B.S. in Justice Studies from San Jose State University. I moved to Kingman, Arizona, a few days after graduating in December 2006, where I was a courtroom clerk up until coming to Boston to embark upon my law school journey.

Since this is my first blog entry, I'll just Keep It Simple and Sweet because, you see, I have no doubts that I will return to stories about my zany misadventures between way back when and now because believe it or not, they are of much value.

Law school at Northeastern, in my opinion, has not been a simple process where you are fed information, you memorize it, you write the occasional paper, professors ask you puzzling questions, and you eat, read, sleep, read, etc. Law School at Northeastern has so far been the beginning of an epic tale, and very few interesting epic tales go on and on without providing any context. At Northeastern, my fellow law school students provide the context. I provide the context. What happens to me on the T (public transport) provides context. Everything I see between home (J.P., you'll hear more about that later) adds to the context. Even the food I eat gives my experience context.

I plan to share with you how that context has shaped my getting here to Northeastern University School of Law. I also plan to share with you how context adds to my 1L experience, and perhaps beyond.

Please do comment and ask questions because yes, I will be answering them as best I can, and yes, your experiences and thoughts as future 1Ls will add important guidance as to how this blog can help you in shaping your epic tale as you navigate your path to becoming a 1L (at Northeastern University School of Law, of course).

Posted by Sowande at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)