Sicilians have an approach to life they call “futtitinni.” The term translates to “don’t care,” “don’t worry about it,” or “let it go.” As a 1L trying to juggle academics and career decisions at the same time, this seems like an impossible mindset to maintain. However, futtitinni is not simply about an indifference to life; it refers to focusing on what truly matters. Obviously, grades take significant precedence at this point in the year. I also do not intend to say that we should all take a lot of time for ourselves or relax for the rest of the semester. We are all in the trenches, and that is precisely where futtitinni can play a beneficial role. The term arose out of hardship and daily struggle, not out of periods of prosperity. Nobody expects finals season to be easy, but joy can still exist within this final push.

Other students may have different experiences, but I create some of the best memories when finding solidarity in my struggles. I felt extremely bonded with my fellow Section 3 classmates after a long and tiring memo week. Late nights of delirium in the library led to incredible conversations that had little to do with the assignment. That is what is important for me. I can hope that I never come into contact with the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act for the rest of my life, but I would be lying if I said I would take back all the fun moments of laughter to avoid writing the memo. I also enjoyed basking in our shared glory listening to the other sections complain about writing their memos the following week. We would give a little smirk, “Couldn’t be us.” Even if just for a few minutes at a time, I did not care about my grade or how it would present as my writing sample to firms. I was doing this tedious and sometimes frustrating task alongside my new friends.

As I look to the grueling weeks ahead, I am not only anxious about the 15 hour days or the failed attempts at a practice problem—I can anticipate enduring this with others experiencing these same new endeavors. Embracing futtitinni will be nearly impossible with a strategy of just not trying to care about how exams will go. Futtitinni relies on placing more importance on the struggle, the relationships crafted, and the tired, sometimes delusional, laughter instead of the results on paper.

Even working through a tough case in class can bring a sense of joy and lighten the daunting load placed on students. For example, there are plenty of torts cases that read like an episode of Tom & Jerry. The rule might be hard to pull at times, but we should not dehumanize ourselves and block out every single irrelevant aspect of a case or class for the misguided belief that it will help us succeed on our exams. The case law peppering our minds is filled with human stories. Law is a human profession, and trying to learn simply for an exam does not seem to align with this principle. Although I have no experience practicing as a lawyer, I imagine that the role consists of more than just extracting rules and applying them—we have to interact with clients and opposing counsel. This means acting human and not like a robot. I know I am a naive, bright-eyed 1L, but I have spoken with enough attorneys to understand that your intelligence does not make a difference if you are incapable of holding a conversation. 

Our lives are filled with so much more than rules and cases. Living out futtitinni by denying minor trivialities and refusing to dwell on the bad during this time will not only help us become better humans, but we will certainly become better lawyers, as well.

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Joe Monti is a first-year student at BC Law. Contact him at montij@bc.edu.