New $eme$ter – Time for New $ayings

“If at first you don’t succeed, lower your standards.” – Tommy Boy. If you are like me, you have already waived the white flag at your New Year’s resolution. Let’s focus on a more realistic goal for this semester: abolishing unnecessary sayings in the classroom.

Everyone knows that law school is not cheap.  The tuition for the 2011 – 2012 year is $38,086 or $19,043 a semester. This breaks down to $1,360 per week of instruction (14 weeks). The typical law student takes 15 hours a week so each hour one is in class equals about $91. Every minute in class comes out to be about $1.51 or $.03 a second. Yikes!

Now that I have monetized law school, here are some ways that we can save a little coin.  Let’s try to avoid these sayings.

5.) “To be honest with you” – Why wouldn’t you be honest?

4.) “Not gonna lie” – Were you going to lie if you didn’t state this?

3.) “You know what I am saying” – Most of us probably don’t know.

2.) “I don’t mean to throw a wrench” – Why bother, you’re going to do it anyway.

1.) “I have a question” – Oh! That is why your hand was up.

I am not saying that you shouldn’t talk in class. I am merely trying to highlight ways one can get to his or her point a little faster. Classes are meant to be interactive with the professor, but lets think a little before we talk. On a side note, why is it that when the parking lot is covered in snow, everyone forgets how to park?

Happy 2K12 everyone!

What if the NBA season was cancelled and no one cared? That is what the NBA is finding out.  It may be just me but I could care less about the NBA regular season.  The NBA does not grab my attention until the playoffs.  The NBA has become a league that is watered down and there are only a handful of exciting teams to watch (Lakers, Bulls, Celtics, Heat, and the Magic to name a few).  I could go on and on but why not just have the marque teams play and we can

5.         Start following the LBL (Lingerie Basketball League)

It is probably more entertaining and they probably play better defense.

4.         Join your nearest Occupy Wall Street Protest

I heard there was one in Valpo the other day…..

3.         Start working on your networking to get better outlines.

Let’s be honest, the person next to you probably has a better one than you.

2.         Lend a hand

Volunteer your time and maybe we can collectively get the law school expansion project finally finished.

1.         Do exactly what you normally do because you don’t plan on watching the NBA anyway.

99% of fans will not lose any sleep over the fact that there is no season.  If you are in the 1% you probably had a Michael Jordan poster in your room and stopped watching when he retired.

If you do not know the meaning of “MNF” or “BCS” then this article probably is not directed towards you.  Before starting law school, I remember being told to find something to do each week to get your mind off of school; for a lot of people, sports provide that relief.  Love a team or hate ’em, you’ve got to love sports.

We are in a unique situation here at Valpo in that we are from all over the US, which is evident in our daily attire.  Everyone is proud to support his or her alma mater and pro team in choice of clothing and I am no exception.  There always seems to be a surge in apparel when one’s team is doing well and a drop when said team is in a slump. Case in point? The Colts.  I remember last year when the Colts were winning, you couldn’t walk to class without passing someone in a Colts hat or t-shirt.  Only natural, as the baseball postseason gets under way, I am sure there will be an uptick in Rays, Brewers, Cardinals, and Tigers gear.  Cubs gear? Probably not so much.  Many people employ the idea of “what have you done for me lately?”  Some people just wear sports gear because they like a particular logo, color combination, or my favorite—their significant other makes them wear it.

Most people can relate to sports and that is why so many people use it as a conversation starter.  How many times on a Monday do you get asked, “Did you watch the game?” or told “Tough loss?”  It’s an easy and quick way to relate to someone or break an awkward silence.  As many of us are interviewing for jobs, we might have an opportunity for an on-site interview.  If you take a look around, you will probably notice some sports memorabilia and the chances are good that your interviewer will be open to the idea of talking about his or her team.  Grades obviously matter, but an employer is probably interviewing you to see if they can work side by side with you.  Why not use sports as a way to show your personality?

Sports also allow us to be able to compete against each other, without actually having to put on tennis shoes or break a sweat.  Whether it is an intense fantasy football league or just pride in your team, sports nurture and facilitate the competitive nature in us (as if we law students need more competition).  For a few hours on Saturday or Sunday, we can cheer on our team and forget about all the reading we need to do.  Whether our team is winning or losing, pride and tradition (or habit, depending on how you look at it), compel us to watch. At the very least, it allows us to postpone the previously mentioned reading. With each game, we are given the opportunity to taste and to share in the glory that is a last-second touchdown, or a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.  Immortality is made in such moments. I remember Butler’s Gordon Haywood’s shot at the buzzer a couple years ago almost beating Duke in the National Championship.  I remember the Titan’s drive in Super Bowl XXXIV that ended on the ½ yard line. More importantly, I remember who I was with when moments like these occurred, binding friends and events together into memory. Glory is fleeting, but reading is constant. So I encourage my fellow students to take a break and enjoy a little sport, whichever it may be. Remember, you can tell your son or daughter you watched the game live as your team won it all; chances are they won’t be interested in where you were when you first read Miranda v. Arizona.

- Joel McClellan