Right here.
Gleena, you’ll do just fine. Take it from one who has been there and done just that.
I started law school when I was in my 40s too. Like you, I was looking forward to it, but also wondering what I was getting myself into, especially as an older student. In fact, I seem to recall posting that question here on the SDMB, and from that thread, I got a lot of good advice.
First of all, you’re smart enough. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have been admitted to the school. It’s been said that the hardest part of law school is getting admitted, so you’re over that hurdle. Next, you bring a certain maturity and discipline with you–these, you’ve collected through life experience. You’re more likely to know how to work hard and smart, rather than just plain hard.
So who will you find? Most of your classmates will be younger than you, but some will be roughly the same age, or even older. True, I found I had a lot in common in ordinary conversation with my older classmates (we could talk mortgages, spouses, what returning to school after years was like), but I also enjoyed getting to know my younger classmates–they made me feel young again, even though physically, I couldn’t keep up in some ways (for example, I didn’t dare attempt to play hockey with them). You’ll also find some professors who are about your age, or even younger, and some of these may surprise you–one or two of mine who fell into this category had only ever studied law, and were interested in hearing what else one of their contemporaries had done while they were studying. There was a certain amount of respect from all the faculty though, simply because I was a non-traditional student who was returning.
The work? Hope you like reading! But you knew that already. Seriously, my experience was that it was sort of like The Paper Chase. Most professors weren’t like Professor Kingsfield, and most lectures did not use the Socratic Method. Oh, there was often a “Who can tell us the facts in Smith v. Brown?” asked of the class, but not directed at any single student. Again, your maturity and discipline will serve you well here in doing the required readings and keeping up, and in offering answers confidently and calmly when you can.
Social events and clubs? Participate in them. Not only will you get to know all your classmates of all ages this way, but like anybody else, you’ll need a break from nonstop studying. Parties and pub nights are fun, but don’t forget things like the school paper, the annual charity show, and so on. Remember also that the there will be plenty of things to do through the university to which the law school is attached–gyms, pools, and other facilities.
Study groups? Get into one. Yes, they exist, just like in The Paper Chase, and you would do well to join one. First of all, brainstorming concepts learned in class with other classmates will help you learn them; but secondly, you’ll make friends. I still keep in touch with a few of the folks in my first-year study group.
Overall, I think you’ll be just fine. Like I said, I’ve been there-done that too, so if you have any further questions just ask or PM. I’d be happy to help.
