10, 9, 8, 7...

It's the final week of October. All over campus the golden leaves are blushing orange and red, cascading from branches, twirling to destruction. The sun is strong but knows it is a false champion. In the early morning and late evening, the chill bares its teeth, ferocious.

At the law school, we 1L students go to class, then go to the library. We put on a brave face but inside the panic is spreading. We talk about outlining and commercial outlines. We tell each other that finals will be challenging but that we'll get through. There are 4 weeks of class remaining, 1 dead week with turkey, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes, and 2 weeks of finals. The party is officially over.

In addition to my 4 finals, we have a closed memo due in LRW the last week of classes. I'm starting to prepare for exams but all I want to do is figure out how I'm going to spend winter break. This is not conducive to finals preparation.

As the upper-division students tell it, things are about to get really stressful. As I wander the law school, I expect to see a couple of 1Ls chained to their chairs in the library. I expect to see a 1L holding his head in his hands, wondering why he applied to law school, sobbing softly to himself in the corner near the water fountains. I even expect a 1L to spontaneously combust. If that happens, I doubt anyone will stop to help...they'll be too busy studying.

What should I do? Well, I plan to avoid the anxiety plague by staying away from large groups of 1Ls, kind of like that movie The Happening. I will travel solo or with only one or two others, constantly watching my back for stress and fear. I will take breaks, walk outside of the law school, and breathe fresh air. I will not forget to eat. I will make sure I sleep. And I will rely heavily on the food of the gods, chocolate. Wish me luck.

Power to the people.