Lightening the Load

As most of you know, I work full-time while taking 9-10 law school credits a semester. This semester has been pretty killer, with trial memos, classes, work, and general life stuff piling on.

Always wanting to be the super-hard law student, I signed up for the moot court qualifying competition. As part of the competition one must write a 12-page appellate brief after having done legal research on the problem presented. Keep in mind that, at this point in my law school experience, I’ve never written an appellate brief. Completely unfamiliar stuff.

This task, due by 5:00 pm on Thursday, combined with my trial memo, due on Monday, to bring crushing stress. I’ve slept an average of 3-4 hours per night for almost a week now.

Last night I made a choice. I can’t do everything. If I try, I will do everything badly. So I wrote the following email this morning:

Dear Tournament Co-Directors,
Due to other commitments this semester, I must regretfully withdraw from the Spring Qualifying Tournament.

Yours truly,
Mr. X

As I pushed send, a great weight was lifted off of my shoulders, I got a new spring in my step, the heavens opened to surround me with a shaft of beautiful sunlight, and birds began to sing. And I’m happier too.

As a part-time student, I’m eligible to try out for the moot court team again next year or even the year after that. I should have this law school thing in a groove by then and be ready to knock it out of the park.

Yours truly,
Mr. X

…thought I’d share…