In some ways, I’m at the same stage now compared to where you were in your senior year. I want to read as many law student blogs as I can to catch a glimpse of what I’m getting myself into. I’ve read 4 or 5 other law student blogs, and now this is the one up on the rotation.

I also agree with a lot of what you say about people having a one-sided impression of a blogger’s personality when a blog is the only way they know you. It’s kind of the nature of it all, I think. I know I have ideas in my head of what bloggers I read are like, which probably aren’t that true to life.

I haven’t had issues with students at my law school since nobody at my school reads my blog or at least, nobody has said that they read my blog. However, a lot of alums and profs from my undergrad read it b/c I’m featured on the college’s website…a lot of people who I’ve never met or who only know my face from class or whatever. I’ve had problems with people making assumptions about me based on something they read, without pursuing the fuller picture. Anyway, I finally just stopped worrying about it (to a large extent). If someone has an issue they can comment or email me or talk to me in person about it.

Hope finals prep is going well!

So much for the longest first comment ever!
And it’s good to know that it’s snow on the screen – freaked me out at first!

And yes, I agree with you. The problem I have is generally with my classmates who don’t have blogs, (and hence don’t have that level of awareness of bloggers.) Especially when they make incorrect statements based on what they’ve read on here.

I’m intrigued that you say that (1) not leaving comments is a problem and (2) people judging you just by your blog is a problem.

To address (1): I think that most people only leave a comment if asked or if what you’re talking about affects them. (For example, today you basically asked for comments, and I bet you’ll get them – unless everyone is so busy studying they’ve stopped reading blogs which might be smart.) It’s hard to have much to say about someone I see across a classroom going out to a bar I’ve never been to…. I normally wouldn’t leave a comment about that or bring it up in person. But, it doesn’t mean that I’m not interested in what you found funny in contracts yesterday even if I don’t get a chance to talk to you about it in person.

To address (2): I think every blogger (with even a tiny amount of self-awareness) knows on some level they are judged by their blog and that’s why they don’t put some stuff on it. And, I think most blog readers (at least those who have blogs themselves) know they are getting a skewed impression. And that’s okay. On some level, I’m getting your online persona – what you’ve chosen to project. I don’t assume that’s all of you any more than I would expect you to think from reading my blog that all I do is knit all the time (and which is probably why you wouldn’t even read it at all). People write about the aspects of their lives they are comfortable sharing and they think their audiences are interested in. Do you really think commenting changes that and makes my perspective of you broader or does it just make you feel less like you’re talking to faceless people?

P.S. It’s weird that your blog is snowing, even in my comment. It’s like I have dandruff.

I think that’s one reason I connect with other bloggers. It feels like an even relationship. I can read all about your experience, and you can do the same for me. I already know more about your law school experience than I know about some 200+ people I actually went to school with.

And you are absolutely right, reading blawgs helps me understand what I am going through. Soon enough real friends and internet friends will merge into one and it just won’t matter too much.