By Stephen Klimis, Science (Advanced) / Law II
Ahhh, the mid semester break. Glorious leisure. Stupendous winter fashion. Coffee. Catch ups with friends old and new. Everything it shouldn’t have been. While I had the opportunity to plan world domination, invest in stocks and shares, buy an island and (gasp) get out of bed to apply for a paralegal position - I didn’t. Alas, I spent extended periods of time eating, drinking, and questioning my existence. Do not fear. This was not all for naught. I had the opportunity to rekindle my obsession with television (Hoorah, Netflix). I saw something in the characters of my favourite TV shows that invigorated me with a thirst to succeed, which was definitely something I needed pursuant to my Public and Crim assessment induced depression.
All of my favourite television show characters embody traits that we, as law students, should strive to at least recognise. Be it to momentarily get us through difficult times or to build ourselves as future reformers of the New World (where Australia has a substantive international presence). Ultimately, I disagree with the argument that fictional characters have nothing to offer us. They say that no one could be as intelligent as Blair Waldorf, as loving as Scott McCall (#TeenWolf, get on it), or as self preserving as Sansa Stark. Wrong. I mean, unless you’re a right wing despot (wannabe) who believes in nothing but facts - fiction is the foundation on which dreams are made on. And so, here are a few warm and fuzzies, funnies, and hot tips on how to survive Law School, its political motivations, and its social competition.
1. Keep your friends close. Whether you are chasing down someone to torture with your bestie (Ramsay Bolton is totes adorbs) or just need to survive Crim and Public finals, you are going to want friends who are there for you.
P.S. Avoid becoming third wheel Theon Greyjoy.
Hug service providers (HSP) are also a major plus:
2. Alcohol. Know when staring at the same provision for three hours warrants a drink. Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine provides an amazing example on how to perfect the dramatic “I’m having a drink because I’m totally done with you/Law School/everyone right now”. The added eye roll also works to let others know that you just don’t have the social capital to exhaust. Social capital. Don’t waste it on the useless, the boring, or the politically incorrect.
3. More alcohol.
Take the above as the stock standard response to finding out that your friend has turned to the dark side (talked with the enemy, slept with the enemy, has done the readings when they said they weren't going to).
4. Don’t take being insulted, attacked, or excluded, in the world of Law Student politics, to heart. Instead, let everyone know that you are not here to deal with their political debauchery.
5. Don’t doubt yourself. Make a decision and stick to it. Unless you are about to simultaneously crush the loyalty of your people and initiate an aggressive protest. Then you have my permission to question yourself.
6. Never stop until you have reached your goals. Persistence is key to social and academic success, especially if you’re trying to catch up on five weeks of readings, two days before the final exam (I’m psychic).
7. Be your own anchor.
8. Princes don’t cry.
In summation, not only have the audacity to question your place in this world but also embody the self respect to notify the people around you that you are not okay with being wronged. I am a strong supporter of Karma. Cheers to that.
Les jeux sont faits.
By Stephen Klimis.
‘The dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they dream their dreams with open eyes and make them come true.'
- T.E Lawrence