The first year at Michigan Law School was fairly simple to describe, though not simple to complete: You do your reading, you go to class, you panic occasionally, you take high-stakes exams, you get your grades.

Now, one month into my second year of law school, I’ve been struggling to find the proper words to describe 2L without resorting to already well-known adages (first year they scare you to death, second year they work you to death, etc.).