Lessons You Can Learn From Your Parents for Your Pre-Law Studies

By Danielle Wirsansky on June 4, 2017

This article is brought to you by Kaplan, the leader in test prep for over 90 standardized tests, including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT.

When we went to college, it was easy for us to discount what our parents had to say. We thought we knew everything about the world and the way it worked and their rules were silly and old fashioned. We would know better.

However, as excited as we were for that freedom and independence and the opportunity to do our own thing, most of us were swallowed by it. We often learned the hard way about why our parents had certain rules in place. We quickly learned that there was so much out there in the world that we did not know about and that we did not know what to do. Even though our generation has Google, it cannot solve all our problems. Sometimes, the only way to get through is to get advice from your parents and apply the lessons you learn.

Now when you go to law school, you will have already been to college — you will already know that you do not know everything, but there are still some lessons you can learn from your parents to apply to your pre-law studies!

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When the going gets tough, the tough get going

You may have heard your parents say this at some point and been like, “What does that even mean?” It can be a little convoluted to understand when you first hear it, but this phrase your parents have been bandying about is pretty relevant.

Wikipedia describes the phrase this way:

“The phrase is a play on words involving idiomatic (Proverb) and distinct meanings of ‘go’ and ‘tough.’ In context, ‘the going’ means ‘the situation,’ ‘gets tough’ means ‘becomes difficult,’ ‘the tough’ means ‘people who are strong or enduring,’ and ‘get going’ means ‘become fully engaged.’ Taken together, the meaning of the phrase is ‘When the situation becomes difficult, the strong will become engaged.’”

Basically, we all know that law school is hard. But rather than letting yourself be dragged down and broken by the situation, use it as motivation to really buckle down and power through the tough times. Do not let something like law school bring you down when you are destined to do great things. Being a lawyer is no walk in the park, but once you have gotten through law school, you can get through anything.

This too shall pass

If you have heard your parents utter this phrase, you probably shook off the terse verse. This too shall pass? What else is there to pass? What is it passing? It seems abrupt and mysterious, but using those law school smarts you can figure it out.

The Happy Monk defines the phrase as such: “In essence, it means not to judge the situations that you may find yourself in, whether it is pleasant, unpleasant, sad, or disappointing. By uttering these words to yourself, you will realize for yourself that every feeling, emotion, thought or situation in life is temporary.

“It also teaches us about acceptance, to not resist and to accept whatever we may be facing in our life.

“At a deeper level, if we can come to realization that life is impermanent, the better off we will be. We have to flow with life, adjust to change or circumstances, and realize that, nothing that I have in this world is a guarantee.”

This is definitely applicable to law school. Times get tough but you will not be enrolled in law school forever. You will graduate and get to move on to other different but equally exciting parts of your life. That class that is driving you mad? It will pass by the end of the semester. That roommate who will not let you study like you need to? Your lease will end and the situation will pass.

Everything has an expiration date and nothing goes on forever. Whatever law school throws at you, just remember that it too will pass.

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Turnabout is fair play

Now this phrase we have all heard before. Our parents might have said it with lifted eyebrows and a wiggle of their finger. You might have rolled your eyes without giving it any further thought. However, this phrase will be really important to your law school journey.

Merriam Webster provides this definition and example of the phrase is use: “[... the phrase is] used to say that it is fair for a person to do something to harm someone who has harmed him or her. She did it to me, so I’m going to do it to her. Turnabout is fair play.

The legal world can be cutthroat and you need to be prepared not only for people to lay some pretty tough stuff on you but to be able to give it right back to them. You will have a hard time succeeding if you let people walk all over you so whatever they give you, give back and do not be gentle about it.

Learn more about Kaplan’s test prep options and start building the confidence you need for Test Day.

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