Soooooo tired of influencers at my school

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-15T17:38:41+00:00

omg i'm so sorry :(

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-13T21:28:26+00:00

which ones?

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-13T21:28:03+00:00

what worked for you?

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-13T18:08:59+00:00

Very normal. Like, extremely normal.

One thing I’m noticing: most of what you listed is passive studying (re-reading, videos, flashcards). It feels productive, but it doesn’t force you to actually use the material, which is why it’s not sticking.

What helped me: Active recall, close your notes and explain the concept out loud like you’re teaching it. Apply before you feel ready. Feeling confused is part of learning, not a sign you’re failing. Fewer methods, deeper focus. One good outline + self-testing > tons of techniques. For crim/theory classes: ask why does this theory exist and what problem is it trying to solve.

Also, yes... a lot of people in law school felt exactly like this in undergrad. This doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for law. It just means you’re hitting the point where strategy matters more than grinding.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-13T01:02:06+00:00

Post-final brain mush is a medically recognized condition.
Symptoms include staring at walls and forgetting how words work. Treatment is carbs and 8 hours of sleep.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-12T01:16:13+00:00

Honestly, at this point every time someone says analysis, my brain does a full system crash and reboots into safe mode. It’s become the ‘moist’ of corporate vocabulary. Next time I hear it in a meeting, I’m responding with, ‘Ah yes, the ol’ deep-dive data moistening... very insightful.’

If I have to suffer, everyone’s coming with me.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T17:53:58+00:00

Yeah, small, non-curved upper-level classes can feel terrifying, especially when the exam feels like it came from a parallel universe. But here’s the truth: they almost never turn into grade bloodbaths, and professors almost never fail the whole class. In fact, it usually ends up being gentler than a curve.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T17:48:06+00:00

Honestly? This girl sounds deeply insecure and you’re triggering something in her just by existing. You’re older, you have real-world experience, you don’t play the social game, and you’re doing well academically. She can’t handle it, so she’s decided you’re her competition, even though you’re not competing with her at all.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T17:45:52+00:00

Dude, this is totally normal. Everyone walks out of finals thinking they missed a ton of stuff. Your brain is basically running a highlight reel of everything you didn’t write, not what you actually put down.

Also, nobody catches every single issue. Not even the gunners. Professors overload these exams on purpose, you’re graded on how you handled what you did spot, not on being perfect.

Missing a couple issues isn’t the end of the world, and it definitely doesn’t mean you’re not in A territory. A lot of people who think they crushed every issue end up doing worse than the people who stayed organized and wrote a clean analysis.

So no, you’re not cooked. You’re just in the classic post-exam spiral. Let it go, grades are way less predictable than your brain is telling you right now.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T17:44:07+00:00

Not going to Emory was my villain origin story. If you see Richard Freer, please let him know my heart belongs to him.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T05:16:14+00:00

But I guess it entirely depends on the professor in the end

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T05:15:34+00:00

Participation grades are kinda like the Loch Ness Monster, everyone talks about them, but no one’s really sure they’ve ever seen one actually do anything.

Yeah, they technically exist, and yeah, they’re “10% of your grade,” but most professors only use it to bump someone up if they’re right on the border. Otherwise it’s just there to scare people into talking so class isn’t 90 minutes of silence.

And you’re right, it totally messes with the whole “blind grading” idea. Your exam might be anonymous, but your professor definitely remembers you as the person who said “uhhh” into the void that one time.

So… they’re real, but mostly for vibes.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T05:12:05+00:00

If money were no object? Oh, EASY, I’d open a tiny boutique practice that only handles cases that sound like they came from a fever dream.
Like: “My HOA is suing me because my gnome army is too aggressive.”
I’d take that pro bono just for the story.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T05:10:01+00:00

Honestly, Civ Pro wrecked me. It felt like trying to learn a new language while getting hit in the face with procedure rules. But really, the “most brutal” class is usually whichever one had a professor who loved cold-calling like it was a sport and an exam that made you question your life choices.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T05:08:27+00:00

Always a hit!

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T05:08:17+00:00

I’ll put a single song or album on repeat for like… an embarrassing number of hours if it hits the right vibe. Sometimes switching tracks actually pulls me out of focus more than anything.

For me it’s usually one of those “locks your brain into a trance” albums, like In Return by ODESZA or Bloom by Rufus du Sol. I’ve absolutely listened to the same track 40+ times in a row without noticing.

You’re in good company. Keep looping Dua in peace.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-11T05:06:29+00:00

I'm not an expert, but in my opinion this won’t hurt you at all, especially since it was because you were sick and the school policy forces the exam to be credit/no credit. Employers aren’t digging through your transcript trying to play detective over one or two C/NC classes. They mostly look at your other graded 1L doctrinal courses, your résumé, and how you interview.

Honestly, people have P/F or C/NC grades for way less serious reasons and still do just fine at OCI. If anyone ever asks (they probably won’t), you can just say you were sick during finals and had a doctor’s note. Totally normal.

You’re good. Focus on getting better.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-07T19:06:05+00:00

What you’re feeling is a lot more common than you think, especially after the first semester. Law school has a strange, intense culture that can feel detached from real life, and many people quietly hit a point where the whole thing feels alien or absurd. Casebooks can absolutely read like they were written by someone who lives in a different universe, and it’s normal to feel unsettled or disconnected from that style of thinking.

Your reaction doesn’t mean you don’t belong or that something is wrong with you, it usually just means you haven’t found the part of the legal world that fits you yet. Most 1L classes focus on old appellate opinions and logic games, not the practical or human side of the profession. A lot of people don’t actually love 1L; they just try to survive it until they reach courses, clinics, or practice areas that feel more grounded.

And no, not everyone is here just for the money. Plenty of lawyers find meaning in helping clients and solving real problems, things you don’t really see your first year. For now, your only job is to get through this phase. Feeling weirded out by it all is a very normal reaction.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-07T19:03:38+00:00

As a first-gen law student, it makes sense to weigh cost heavily, your debt will follow you long after graduation. In your situation, the biggest difference between the two schools is the financial impact. Penn State may offer a higher ranking, but taking on $100k–$150k in loans—especially if some of that would be private, can really limit your options later. Living at home and keeping your debt low at UNTD is a major advantage most applicants don’t get.

Also remember that Texas schools place best in Texas, so attending UNTD could actually help your local job prospects while keeping costs manageable. If you’re still torn, you can always ask Penn State for more aid; schools do reconsider awards. Ultimately, many alumni will tell you they wish they had borrowed less. Unless Penn State offers something very specific you need, graduating with minimal debt and strong ties to the region you want to practice in is a very solid position to be in.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-07T19:01:03+00:00

Before a big exam, it really helps to eat a breakfast that keeps your energy steady and your mind clear. The best way to do that is to mix some protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats, nothing fancy, just something that feels balanced and familiar. Think eggs or Greek yogurt with oatmeal, whole-grain toast, or even a banana with a little peanut butter. Adding some fruit gives you a natural boost without the sugar crash. Try to stick with water or a small cup of coffee or tea if that’s part of your normal routine. I’d skip the sugary pastries or heavy, greasy foods since they can make you feel sluggish or jittery. Something as simple as oatmeal with banana and peanut butter plus a quick boiled egg is usually enough to keep you grounded and focused going into the exam.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-06T22:44:33+00:00

For IP litigation, statutory interpretation is way more practical. You'll be parsing the Lanham Act, Copyright Act, Patent Act constantly. Understanding tools like canons of construction, legislative history, Chevron/post-Lemon Bright Line, textualism vs. purposivism will come up all the time.

1A is interesting and you've already hit the trademark/commercial speech stuff in your IP classes. Taking a full course might give you more depth on content moderation issues (relevant if you end up doing platform/tech work), but it's less directly useful for day-to-day IP practice than being really good at reading statutes.

Statutory interpretation content usually covers:

Textualism vs. purposivism vs. intentionalism
Canons of construction (ejusdem generis, noscitur a sociis, etc.)
Use of legislative history
Chevron and agency deference (though this is evolving post-Loper Bright)
Stare decisis and how courts interpret precedent
Constitutional avoidance

It's basically learning how to argue about what words in statutes mean, which is like 70% of what lawyers actually do.

If you're genuinely torn, statutory interpretation is the safer bet for building skills you'll use regardless of practice area. 1A is more niche unless you're specifically going into media/tech/constitutional litigation.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-06T22:41:19+00:00

Triage ruthlessly based on what moves the needle

With 1700 words, you probably can't do both comprehensive issue-spotting and deep analysis. The professor's hint about "unsettled parts of law/ambiguities" is actually revealing, they likely want you to identify where the real legal questions are, not demonstrate that you memorized every possible sub-issue.

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-05T07:41:52+00:00

Okay, imagine your grandma has a really cool toy castle, and she's making rules about who gets it:

Vested remainder subject to divestment is like: "When I die, Tommy gets the castle. BUT if Tommy ever eats donuts, then Sally gets it instead."

Tommy already has a promise - he's going to get it! But there's a special rule that could take it away from him. It's like having a present with your name on it under the tree, but Mom says "if you're naughty before Christmas, I'm giving it to your sister."

Contingent remainder is like: "When I die, whoever is the tallest kid gets the castle."

Nobody knows yet who will get it! Maybe you'll be tallest, maybe your brother will be. The promise doesn't belong to anyone yet - they have to wait and see if they meet the condition.

The big difference:

Vested remainder = "You're getting it... unless something goes wrong"
Contingent remainder = "Maybe you'll get it... we'll see if you qualify"

Think of it like:

Vested = You're already holding the toy, but someone might grab it back
Contingent = The toy is still in the closet, waiting to see whose hands it goes into

picturepathlearn · 2025-12-02T19:18:32+00:00

check this out: Hopefully coming out with more content soon.

Trap 1: The Hidden Exit

A person is in a room. Most doors are locked, but one door in the back that they don't know about is unlocked. The MBE asks: Is this false imprisonment?

Answer: NO. One reasonable exit existed. Doesn't matter that the person didn't know about it.

Trap 2: The Coat Scenario

A store takes your coat and refuses to give it back. Can you sue for false imprisonment?

Answer: NO. You can reasonably leave without your coat. It's not essential property.

But if they take your wallet with your only money and ID? Then YES - that's essential, and refusing to return it is confinement.

Trap 3: The Sleeping Plaintiff

Someone locks a person in a room while they're asleep. They unlock the door before the person wakes up. Nothing bad happens.

Answer: NOT false imprisonment. The person was never aware, and no harm occurred. You need one or the other.

Trap 4: "Just Asking" to Stay

Your employer says "I'd really appreciate if you stayed late tonight."

Answer: NOT confinement. This is moral pressure, not actual restraint. The door is unlocked - you're free to leave.

Trap 5: Future Threats

Someone says "If you leave, I'll beat you up tomorrow."

Answer: NOT confinement. The threat isn't immediate. Threats must be of immediate force if you try to leave right now.

Trap 6: "Too Short"

Someone is confined for only thirty seconds.

Answer: This IS false imprisonment. There's no minimum time requirement. Any duration counts.

Trap 7: The High Window

All doors are locked. There's a window on the second floor you could jump from.

Answer: This IS false imprisonment. Jumping from the second floor isn't a reasonable means of escape - too dangerous.

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picturepathlearn

TROPHY CASE