What To Expect From Your First Year In Law School

The journey into becoming a lawyer can be overwhelming. There’s so much to learn and if you really want to hit the ground running being prepared and organised can be hugely beneficial.

If you are considering going into a law career, then you should certainly be aware that law school is far from easy. Many things in your life will change as it requires dedication and hard work. But you probably know that already.

What you perhaps might not be aware of is all the other aspects of your first year that need to be taken into account.

Below you’ll find a series of the most important things to expect from your first year in law school…

There’s A LOT to learn

There’s an incredible amount to learn in law school, and your backpack will be continually full of books. The public need lawyers that can be counted on, with companies such as Simmrinlawgroup specialise in a number of areas and having knowledge of a wide range of areas, including family law, personal injury and criminal defence can be extremely useful post graduation.

That starts from the moment you sit in a lecture hall for the very first time. Law is about as intense of a course as you can take, so be prepared for that.

Social life will change

Because of that, your social life will inevitably change. Law students tend to bond with their classmates more than any other course and many find themselves within a 24/7 law bubble. That’s due to the intensity of the environment you’re in and feeding off each other can often be a positive way to both study and relax.

However, it can be a stressful first year, with many graduates often advising to make a conscious effort to make friends outside of law too in order to escape said bubble.

A career at the end isn’t guaranteed

Many automatically think that earning a law degree will instantly see you into a job. That’s far from the case and career prospects can be tough. Knowing this within your first year can help you prepare and you can begin to make contacts at law firms to gain experience and get your name out there.

If you show willing and dedication during the weeks you’re away from class, you’re more likely to have an understanding of the environment, what law firms are looking for and better skills to begin a career in the industry.

Books are expensive!

As mentioned, there is a lot of reading involved with studying a law degree, and it doesn’t come cheap!

You’ll be given an essential reading list and the cost will comfortably be in the hundreds of dollars. They are integral though and will benefit you throughout your course and career. Looking for them second hand is a tactic most students use to reduce the cost and you should definitely see them as an investment rather than an unnecessary expense. In the long run, having the resource could be the difference between a pass and a fail, and a career and no career.