Hello 0Ls,
As we are in full on summer mode now, I know how tempting it can be to completely disregard the Facebook posts, emails and constant notifications coming from your soon-to-be law school and classmates. I have to admit that initially, I was confused by it all- why do I need to meet up with these people before I start law school? Aren’t I going to see enough of them once September rolls around? This in fact is true, but here’s my two cents on why I think it’s a good idea to meet your fellow classmates before law school begins:
I decided to set aside my doubts and decided to dive right into the law community early in the summer and it paid off. Not only did I attend all the formal pre-orientation events (the Welcome Day, the Vancouver Icebreaker, and the Vancouver Adventures), but I also made an effort to attend the less formal events.
In June, one of my classmates posted a message on the Facebook group asking if anyone wanted to make a “pre-law/0L” summer beach volleyball team and reluctantly I joined. Little did I know it was one of the best decisions I could have made. All the people on that team are still my good friends to this day. We even gave our team a cheesy law
-nerd name (“We’ll see you in Court”). And although our volleyball skills were sub-par, we had a ton of laughs and bonded throughout the summer. We would go for food/drinks after the games and cliff jumping/hiking on the weekends. Making these friends before I started law school really eased some of my anxiety entering Orientation Week. Arriving on the first day can be intimidating and overwhelming, and already knowing a few people allowed me to feel comfortable and really digest the information that was being presented to me.
So I would encourage all of you to attend the icebreakers, reach out to your new classmates, attend all the optional sessions, and make connections before starting law school. You never know, some of these people could end up becoming your best friends.
Here is the information you will need to RSVP to the Icebreakers and the Mature Students Picnic:
ICEBREAKER INFORMATION/RSVP
VANCOUVER:
Trivia Night: Get to know some of your future classmates from Vancouver while participating in fun trivia!
Hosts: Sophie Marshall (2L), Madison Grist (2L), Elise Kohno (2L) and Erin Kotz (2L)
When: July 22nd, 7:00pm
Where: Bismarck, 526 Abbot Street https://www.yelp.ca/map/bismarck-vancouver
RSVP to Sophie Marshall sophmarsh@gmail.com
VICTORIA:
Head to Interactivity at 4:30pm to play some board games, and then if you’d like head over to Canoe afterwards (roughly 8:30pm) for some drinks and appetizers*!
Hosts: Brandon Manhas (2L) and Kelly Gale (2L)
When: July 15th, 4:30pm, 8:30pm
Where: Interactivity (board game café) 723 Yates St. http://www.ibgcafe.com/; Canoe Brewpub*, 450 Swift St. http://canoebrewpub.com/
RSVP to Brandon Manhas B44manhas@shaw.ca
KELOWNA
Meet at the Knox Mountain Parking lot for a picnic and then a walk to the lookout point! Some snacks may be provided*
Hosts: Sasha Platz (2L), Cait Fleck (2L), and Lisa Guidi (3L)
When: August 7th, 1:00pm
Where: Picnic at Knox Mountain Lookout Point (meet in parking lot) http://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs/Sport%20and%20Recreation/Outdoor%20Events/FactSheet_KnoxMountain_Park.pdf
RSVP to Cait Fleck at cait.fleck@gmail.com
CALGARY
Enjoy some food and beverages at the National on 17th with some of your fellow classmates from Calgary!
Hosts: Edmond Chen (2L) and Seamus White (2L)
When: July 28th, 7:00pm
Where: The National on 17th, 550 17TH AVE, Calgary http://ntnl.ca/national-17th/contact-ntnl17
RSVP to Edmond Chen edmondchen@gmail.com
EDMONTON:
Enjoy some food and beverages at the Mercer Tavern with some of your fellow classmates from Edmonton!
Hosts: Ryan Antonello (2L)
When: July 28th, 7:00pm
Where: Mercer Tavern, 10363 104 St NW, http://mercertavern.com/
RSVP to Ryan Antonello @ ryan.antonello@gmail.com
TORONTO:
Enjoy some food and beverages at the Duke of York with some of your fellow classmates from Toronto!
Hosts: Steph Willsey (2L) and Justin Manoryk (3L)
When: July 21st, 8:00p
Where: Duke of York, 39 Prince Arthur Avenue http://dukepubs.ca/york/
RSVP to Steph Willsey steph.willsey@gmail.com
MATURE STUDENTS PICNIC INFORMATION/RSVP
Meet at Miniature Railway #2 in Stanley Park for the opportunity to get to know some of your fellow classmates and their family. Friends and family (+ kids) are welcome and encouraged! All students of all ages are welcome.
Hosts: Hailey Graham (2L), Kelly Gale (2L) and Manbeen Saini (2L)
When: August 28th, 4:00pm
Where: Miniature Railway Picnic Site #2*, Stanley Park http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park-picnic-areas.aspx
RSVP to Hailey Graham at hhailey.graham@gmail.com
