South Texas College of Law Annotations (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 4, Ed. 1, February, 2008 Page: 2 of 8
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Page 2
February 2008
Downtown living offers convenience, minor
annoyances for STCL students
ByAngiePing
Staff Writer
With the Pavilions opening in October
2008, Discovery Green Park opening in
April, and Main Street already established
as a night out destination, downtown
Houston may be the ideal home for STCL
students; but before making the move to
the big city, it is important to consider the
pros and cons of life in the shadows of the
downtown skyline.
Living close to school provides obvious
perks like being close to school. This
means being able to go home between
classes, easy access to the library and the
ability to multi-task by doing chores like
washing the dishes while you read.
Attending events at STCL is also more
enticing because a long drive is not
necessary to get there.
The shorter commute is a huge benefit
too. Being able to get to school in three
minutes opens time for studying and
provides the opportunity for some
additional free time.
If students have pets, living downtown
makes life more peaceful for both the
student and the pets because breaks can
be scheduled into the day so the pet does
not become a victim of law school neglect.
Many large law firms are located
downtown making working while in
school easier to accomplish.
Downtown living also places students
in the heart of Houston happenings.
Students can spend free time at Rockets,
Astros and Aeros games.
Concerts at Toyota Center, Warehouse
Live, the Meridian, and the Verizon
Wireless Theater are perfect spots for
music lovers.
Those interested in the art scene can
check out performances at the Hobby
Center for the Performing Arts, Jones
Hall, the Alley Theatre, and Wortham
Center.
The George R. Brown Convention
Center is also a constant hub of activity
with gun shows, car shows, antique sales
and craft events.
Exercise events are also frequent
downtown. Fun runs take place nearly
every weekend. The annual Houston
marathon starts at the George R. Brown,
so living downtown makes the start much
easier.
There are also smaller venues for a
night out like the bars and clubs on Main
Street where you can catch some up and
coming bands.
Downtown is also home to some great
and varied restaurants offering all types of
foods for all budgets; but many of these
restaurants have limited hours which can
make eating out more of a challenge when
living in other locales. With advance
planning and some research, it is possible
to find restaurants open on Sunday
afternoons in downtown, but the variety is
not as vast as on weekdays.
Traffic in downtown can create
difficulties as well. From road closures
because of parades and festivals, to road
blocks because of sporting events,
navigating downtown especially on
weekends is not always great, even though
you never have to travel very far. People
are frequently lost on downtown streets so
being a defensive driver is a necessity.
If students are not comfortable living in
an area where people can be seen living
on the streets, downtown may be a less than
perfect situation. With many homeless
shelters in the immediate downtown area,
people congregate on the street.
The pros outweigh the cons for some,
but it is important to look at all factors
before making a move downtown. Students
looking to cut their commute time can take
advantage of STCL student discounts at
some of the downtown Houston
complexes.
Another Perspective continued from pg. 1
show up, the school would still be paid right? So why bother to check?
Still, the most surprising thing for me has actually been the sense of
freedom that follows from the way classes are held here. Maybe that
sounds strange because we in Denmark do not have to attend class or
do our assignments at all, but the fact is that actually, we do attend
class and do all our assignments anyway. The reason is an absolute
fear of the exams. Fifty percent of students fail one or more exams in
their first year alone. Exams are tough and some of them you will not
pass unless you have been living and breathing law for the past
semester. So, the work load is about the same in Texas and in Denmark.
The great difference is what happens in class. In Denmark, student
participation is close to zero. The professor explains his subject, the
students take notes, and then everybody goes home. If anyone has any
questions, they will most likely go ask the professor right after class.
Compared to that, classes at STCL are much more interesting.
I like that you have discussions in class. Questions like "what would
happen if the circumstances were y or z, instead of x?" or "Argue the
case as the prosecutor would." And the greatest question of all: "Is
the law right?" During introduction week in Denmark, we were told
to never, ever, ever (EVER) answer a question saying "I think" or "I
feel," because no one was interested in what we thought or felt. If we
were asked a question, we were supposed to answer what the law
was. So how great it is that finally someone is interested in my two
cents, and that I am not only encouraged, but actually expected to
think for myself and make up my own opinion about something.
I even like that you do recitations (I know this must sound crazy to
you). I admit that when I have to do them myself, I don't like them
nearly as much as when it's somebody else; but what a great chance
to use your own words, and in your own way, explain what you think
is relevant in the case and why.
So, I bet that when you have thought about America as the land of
the free, you probably never thought that freedom extended to the
class rooms at STCL. Well, from a stranger's point of view, even law
school has more freedom in the US.
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Lewis, Tamara E. South Texas College of Law Annotations (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 4, Ed. 1, February, 2008, newspaper, February 2008; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth144587/m1/2/: accessed May 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting South Texas College of Law.