Hi Kat, I just flubbed a cold call! How am I expected to go on living? Is there any coming back from this awful experience?
Dear Reader,
Don’t cry because it happened; smile because it’s over!
Hopefully, you have already forgotten your cold call flub. If you haven’t, I am sorry that it’s bugging you, and I assure you that you’re in good company. Now, let’s chat about how to get over this academic hiccup. I promise you can come back from an unsatisfying cold call. The process for moving onward and upward may depend on where your stress is coming from: your peers’ opinions? Your professor’s opinion? Your expectations for yourself? It all sucks and I have been there.
But I have excellent news. You are not the main character of CLS. Law school is filled with busy people who at any given moment are trying to finish their reading before class and also map out their career trajectory, all while memorizing the FRCP. No one else will remember your flubby cold call. Consider focusing your energy on your to-do list or something fun rather than bullying yourself. You may always feel a slight cringe when the memory of this cold call is triggered, but I promise you that feeling will dwindle.
As for other’s opinions, if another student mentions your cold call in a way that makes you feel bad, I recommend a blank stare—maybe a slight smize—until they walk away. If you feel chatty, I suggest a slightly irrelevant but wise cliche, like “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” or “one man’s trash is another’s treasure.” And I am sure your professor has seen worse. If it would make you feel better to take some remedial action, consider showing up to office hours with sincere, well-researched questions.
I wish you many happy cold calls in the future. Or you can look for classes with no cold calls.
Cheers,
Kat
P.S. I am assuming you did not actively choose to say something offensive during your cold call. If you did say something offensive, you should think about it—self-reflect and such. You’re never too old or too smart to grow as a person.
Katerina Kakkis is a 2L and Contributor for the Verdict. Want your question to be featured? Ask Kat here!