Getting Started

I have decided to start this blog because as I went through this process I found very little information from a non-traditional student's point of view. So it is my intention for this to be an accurate journal of all my experiences that surround this quest. If someone finds it helpful or entertaining than it will have been worth my time!

Well what can I say that will be short and to the point. I am a 34 year old teacher who has decided to switch professions. After a number of years and lots of soul searching I have decided to go big! I have spent the last three years focusing on getting into law school. And it is a process let me tell you!

Order of operations;
1. Figure out if this is really what you want. I mean really!
2. Make sure your family is on board and supportive.
3. Focus on the LSAT - to date the most nerve racking, hardest SOB of a test that I have come across. No lie.
4. Start looking at schools. Decide what you want to specialize in if at all. Decide how much debt you are willing to take on. Decide how far away you are willing to go from your family.
5. Apply. Apply to way more than you think you want. (first time through I only went for four - not enough to make an informed decision)
6. Pick the school that fills as many of your needs as possible!
7. Line up financial Aid and don't cry when you sign for your first loans and realize that that is how much you paid for the first 4 years of your undergraduate degree.
8. Secure housing if needed.
9. Decide how you will communicate with loved ones back home - and put that framework in place early so you don't have to screw around with learning it while at school.
10. Take a deep breath and try to remember the reasons you started on this path.

So at this point it is a waiting game. I am about 10 weeks out from making the leap. I am nervous and anxious and frankly a bit scared. The unknown is pretty freaky for me as a non-traditional who has spent over ten years making my life nice and comfortable. So as I get ready for this to happen, I must add that I am also dealing with some major life changes on the homefront. I need to make sure that my mind is clear and I am focused on the goals I have set. I have reviewed in my mind and with certain friends and family the decision to still go at this time. I have the best intentions for doing this - My kids! I sit on the launch pad waiting for the rockets to fire. At this point I feel like I'm on auto pilot in many areas of my life. 10,9,8,7 ......

This is the start of my great and difficult adventure. An opportunity that not everyone gets to take. I hope you will follow along and keep me company when you can and I will try to paint a picture of just how things are going for me.