The Law School Experience, Explained in Dating Terms

Guest Blogger: Anita Western, Law and Technology

Anita Western is a 3L at Michigan State University College of Law with a trustee scholarship and a passion toward the issues that arrive at the intersection of law and technology. Prior to law school, she earned three bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice, Spanish and Political Science. Anita works for BARBRI Bar Review as a marketing intern, where she partners with the Director of Social Media and… Read More


Believe it or not, law school and dating can be quite similar at times. There are the great times, the so-so times, and the times you may want to run for the hills. However, if you’re truly passionate about what you’re pursuing, in the end, it’ll be worth it. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, here are some common law school themes explained in dating terms.

Big Responsibilities. To achieve success, you must put in the work. Just like a relationship, law school requires hard work, determination, and ownership of one’s responsibilities.

Lengthy Reading Assignments. You think that upset text from your significant other was a ‘novel’? Just wait until you see the length of your first Contracts reading assignment and don’t even get me started on trying to comprehend it.

Commitment. Law school is at least a three-year commitment. After being in school for over 15 years, it can be hard to persevere. Like relationships, it will not only take up a great deal of your free time, but may also impede plans with friends. Make sure to plan ahead and adapt so you can devote time to what’s most important.

Vague. Think asking your significant other where they want to go to eat is exhausting? Just wait until you get your first law school assignment. Directions are normally minimal and sometimes you must ask numerous specific questions to get the answer you’re looking for.

Cuffing Season. Ah yes, the time when the leaves begin to fall and people scramble and try to find a significant other. That happens in law school too? Not exactly, but this is the time that you should start ‘cuffing’ yourself to law school. This should be the time that you start outlining and reviewing your notes for final exams.

Catfishing. Catfishing is when a person lures someone into a relationship by pretending to be someone else via an online platform. Unfortunately, catfishing can also apply to law school. Have you ever read a class description and were under the impression a class would have one focus only to do a 180? Make sure to talk to the professor as well as students who have taken the class previously to ensure that you have a good understanding of what you are getting yourself into before the class ‘drop period’ ends.

Emotional. This is a given for relationships, but when it comes to law school, some may question how their education could possibly toy with their emotions. Between final exams, cold calls and social climates, – as stressful as a relationship a times. Yet when you confidently walk out of a final exam, it’ll be as if you’re on cloud nine. Very few things top this feeling.

Spontaneous. Remember that syllabus you received on day one? Prepare for it to change as the semester progresses. Learn to be flexible and go with the flow. This will make your experience much less stressful.

Similar to a relationship, law school is a two-way street, you must put in effort and take risks to reap a reward. No, your law school books may not be warm and cuddly like your significant other, but they do give you something that can never be taken away from you, an education.

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