Merriam-Webster defines “expect” in several ways, two of which are especially fitting here: “to anticipate or look forward to coming or occurrence of” and “to consider probable or certain.” Both definitions capture how many of us approach law school. We arrive anticipating what lies ahead and we often treat certain outcomes as probable, even certain.
By now, you can likely tell whether your expectations of the law school experience are being met or are on their way to being met. Perhaps you arrive with high hopes about what you will accomplish, the knowledge you will gain, and the activities you will join. Maybe you picture yourself excelling in a particular course, earning a spot on a journal, or competing in moot court.
For some of you, many of those hopes become reality. You feel the joy and excitement of seeing your hard work pay off and that momentum carries you forward. For others, the day to day demands of reading, briefing, outlining, and preparing for exams take center stage. In the middle of it all, it is easy to lose sight of what brought you here in the first place. If that sounds familiar, now is the perfect time to pause and recall your “why.” Your reason for pursuing law school is one of your most powerful sources of motivation, especially during the seasons when the work feels heavy. Your current reality may not match what you expected but that does not mean your goals are out of reach. Not everything needs to happen immediately or all at once. Law school is a process and growth often unfolds gradually.
Consider where you are in your journey. If you are a 1L, you still have two full years ahead to explore interest, join organizations, and develop your skills. If you are a 2L, you have at least one full year to pursue the opportunities that matter most to you. If you are a 3L or 4L, take time to look back at everything you have already accomplished. You may be surprised by how far you have come and you still have time to check a few more items off your list before graduation.
Ultimately, managing expectations comes down to reflection and perspective. Take a few moments to ask yourself a few questions. What did I hope to gain from law school? What have I achieved so far? Which goals still matter to me and which ones have shifted as I’ve learned more about myself and the profession? Your answers may reveal that some expectations simply need more time, while others deserve to be replaced with new goals that better fit who you are becoming.
Be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress, and keep your “why” in view. Most importantly, do not limit yourself. The path may look different than you imagined but it can still lead you exactly where you want to go.
(Goldie Pritchard)
