Law Schools

What Song Perfectly Encapsulates 1L Year?

We've got your 1L playlist ready.

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It’s already August and summer is in the home stretch. This means that for thousands of rising 1Ls, the full glory and horror of law school is nearly upon them.

In this back to school spirit, Law.com has a profile of Emily Grant, a professor at Washburn University School of Law. Grant has written a law review article about building a collaborative learning environment from the first day of 1L year on. One of her go-to moves is playing Guns N’ Roses’s “Welcome To The Jungle” on the first day of class:

That got us thinking, what is the *perfect* song for 1L year?

Smashing Pumpkins — Bullet with Butterfly Wings

Yes, despite all that rage, you are still just a rat in a cage… chasing the curve as it leads you off a cliff.

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Nine Inch Nails — Hurt

The law school pain is real. This song is also a good way to describe Raffles v. Wichelhaus, because when one of us suggested this song, we absolutely expected to see Johnny Cash here.

Kanye West — Can’t Tell Me Nothing

This is how you will feel when you get your first Legal Writing markup back. Try not to let it define your law school career or you’re gonna have a bad time.

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Kelly Clarkson — Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)

Despite how it feels, law school won’t kill you.

The National — Rains Of Castamere

And now the rains weep o’er your halls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECewrAld3zw

Chumbawumba — Tubthumping

Get knocked down, get up again. Repeat. That pretty accurately reflects 1L year.

Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar — Freedom

“A winner don’t quit on themselves.” If you can’t use that to motivate you through the worst 1L year has to throw at you, well then nothing will help.

https://vimeo.com/173992190

Abba — The Winner Takes It All

“Building me a home, Thinking I’d be strong there, But I was a fool, Playing by the rules”

The Ramones — Beat On The Brat

Very quickly into your first year of law school you will be introduced to the concept of a “gunner.” Then you’ll fully appreciate this song.

Led Zeppelin — Stairway To Heaven

“There’s a sign on the wall but she wants to be sure; Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings”

Indeed they do!

Remember, all that glitters is gold. You just hope that treasure is your future career and not Sallie Mae’s bottom line.

Jay-Z — 99 Problems

This is what we like to call an issue-spotter. All of your exams will be just like this so get used to it.

Also, you’re going to hear a lot about learning to “think like a lawyer.” The very definition of thinking like a lawyer is taking a hit song and turning it into an 18-page heavily footnoted law review article.

This is a live version, which I assume is Tidal’s fault.

Bill Conti — Going The Distance

Remember kids, you goal isn’t to “beat” 1L year, it’s to “survive it.” And if you can: “if you can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and you’re still standin’, you’re gonna know for the first time in your life, see, that you weren’t just another bum from the neighborhood.”

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