In Josh’s introduction to the blog, he hoped that some of us would share our thoughts on living on a budget. I’d like to focus on the base of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, in particular, food. (For reference, take a look at how Wiki depicts it. But do not ever cite to Wikipedia while in law school! I’m allowing myself this blog exception). Here at law school, we are normally asked to focus on the peak of Maslow’s pyramid: “morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, and acceptance of facts” (cue my civil procedure professor: “DON’T FIGHT THE HYPO! IT WILL GET YOU!”). But for students on a loan budget, our hours outside of class are also dedicated to satisfying our base needs and finding the best bite for our buck.
My best friend is a 3L at another fine law school, and she likes to say, “Free food that you don’t have to prepare to clean up after tastes the best.” I am sure that many foodie readers will disagree with this statement. I recognize that the careful preparation of food is an important social and healthful part of one’s life, a part of one’s life that will likely be most prevalent outside of a lawyer’s three years in law school. Or at least, a lawyer’s first year in law school. Because, dear readers, there is less time to cook and prepare your food while a 1L. One day I contemplated whether opening a can of tuna with a manual can opener would take too much time. I will leave it to you to guess at my final decision. (May I add that this was an unusually busy day and that I have enjoyed tuna many days here). Perhaps our taste buds know that we are time-pressed now and understand that they are being relegated down the priorities list. Perhaps they are even changed in this new habitat so that free pizza tastes more delicious than it did a year ago. (May I add that there are many excellent restaurants around Harvard Law. I particularly recommend the berry tart at Rafiki Bistro. Temple Bar, Cambridge Common, Chez Henri (You might see Derek Jeter!), are some other great restaurants within a few blocks of HLS when you can take no more JIF.)
One of my clearest memories of Admitted Students Weekend was a comment on a 1L panel that if you were diligent, you could secure a free meal daily at HLS. This student was not lying. I relayed this statement to my mom in a sort of happy awe. And yes, along with my diet of peanut butter, pasta, and Hark (our cafeteria) salads, I have eaten my fill of free pizza lunches put on by various student groups, which are occasionally interspersed with a glorious Chick-Fil-A sandwich (an Atlanta native, I can promise that if there is Chick-Fil-A, I will attend your meeting). Some might object to me attending an event partially out of a desire to eat the organization’s food. But this search to satisfy Maslow’s base improves the marketplace of ideas! If an ACS students finds him or herself drawn to a Federalist Society luncheon because of the burritos, then may each side learn from each other in the ensuing debate over beans and beef.
Law school is a serious, lawyerly place. You will spend much of your time in serious debate. You will also spend some of your time eating, however, so that you can climb up Maslow’s pyramid. At HLS, you can do so with your wallet intact.
