Bre Robinson’s final year of law school has been different in every way possible. Just a few weeks into a pandemic-stricken semester, the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Student Bar Association president said classmates are sparse.
“The school is empty and quiet, so there is not really an opportunity to see people in the building. You just go to your class and sit in class and then you leave and that’s that,” Robinson said.
In a way it’s depressing, she said, especially as a third-year law student.
“Running into people and having those connections throughout the day has been something I have really appreciated and relied on,” Robinson said. “So going to the building and just going to class and not seeing anyone or being able to speak to anyone has created a sense of isolation throughout the law school.”
A different experience
Robinson isn’t alone in that sentiment. As students nationwide make their way into a new school year, social distancing guidelines and uncertainty are following them.
Although many returning law students already briefly dipped their toes into virtual learning earlier this spring, incoming 1Ls will have to tackle their first year of law school under unusual circumstances.
Will they receive the same peer-mentor help needed to navigate the uncharted waters of a legal education? Will students be able to engage in necessary networking for future job opportunities? How will student organizations fare if social distancing restrictions are in place?
IU McKinney 3L Tyler Smith believes virtual classes and events will not be as beneficial or as enjoyable an experience as they might have been in-person.
“But under the circumstances you don’t want to risk it,” he said.
As division chair of the law school’s Indianapolis Bar Association Law Student Division, Smith said his organization is trying to provide the same opportunities for students despite the constraints of having to host virtual events this semester.
“It’s definitely going to be a different look and experience,” he said. “… As a 1L it is such an important experience because everything is new and you are trying to figure it out. Law school is a way more grueling experience than undergrad.”
This year will be no different in terms of the number or type of events offered to IU McKinney students, said Sonja Rice, interim assistant dean of the office of professional development. Rather, the difference is that the events will be in a virtual format.
“Technology is keeping pace with the coronavirus, and software platforms abound to meet our needs. Events of all sizes will be accommodated — from our large, virtual career fair with dozens of employers to more intimate, smaller-sized virtual coffee chats with McKinney alums,” she said.
Lost connection
Getting new students connected with their classmates during the pandemic is definitely a concern, Robinson said, because organizations can’t provide in-person, face-to-face social events.
“The 1L year is especially challenging and you want to be able to find people to connect with and commiserate with that actually understand what you are going through,” she said.
In an effort to engage new students, IU McKinney’s Student Bar Association launched a new mentorship program this year to pair up interested 1Ls with 2L and 3L students. So far, the participation has been encouraging.
“We had 113 1Ls apply to have mentors, so we had a really good turnout,” Robinson said. “I know some of the 2Ls and 3Ls have already talked to the 1Ls, and one of the things that they said is that (the 1Ls) are having a hard…
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