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It’s a huge accomplishment to get into law school, but thriving in this demanding new environment is a separate feat entirely. It can be difficult for first-year students to adjust to life at law school, but here are some tips to help you get a head start.
1. Plan Ahead
Planning is an excellent skill for any lawyer to develop. Before class even starts, look over all of your provided materials and syllabi. Write down all of the important dates where you’ll be able to see them often. You may want to also add personal due dates for project and paper milestones to prevent any last-minute scrambling. Contact information for professors, advisors, and others in your program is useful and often included in syllabi or other department materials. Seeing your semester laid out can help you reduce stress and manage expectations for the weeks to come.
2. Utilize School Resources
There’s an excellent chance your school has free resources for you to utilize that will make your semester easier. You might be able to get a tutor, mentor, private study rooms, and other privileges specifically for your law program. Make sure you’re not ignoring resources like the school gym! It’s easy to get caught up in all the demands of your program, but taking time for yourself can help you approach each new challenge refreshed and ready. Take time for self-care or see a mental health professional, even if you’re not sure you need it. Take breaks when studying and in the time between semesters. Going on trips, like taking an Alaska cruise, can be the perfect break that leaves you feeling inspired.
3. Read Ahead of Time
It’s extremely easy to fall behind in reading, so utilize any time you have before the semester starts to get ahead in the reading and stay ahead as best you can. When you give yourself time to absorb the information, you’ll feel more confident participating and you’ll get more out of classes. You’ll also have time to take notes on dense sections and return to them before heading to class if there’s any lingering confusion.
4. Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Asking questions shows you read the materials and are serious about comprehending them well. This is a great way to show your professors that you’re taking the coursework seriously and are eager to participate. Asking thoughtful questions can help you stand out from other students and get unique insights from your professors. It may also lead you to research different areas of your field you never considered before. A lot of law work includes intense research, so asking questions is a skill you’ll use for the rest of your career.
5. Utilize a Study Group
Some programs may set up study groups for you, but if they don’t, consider taking it upon yourself to form a group of your peers. You’ll get regular study time blocked into your calendar, which can help if you need extra pressure to study. You might learn new studying techniques and ways of taking notes in class. Plus, these students could be your future colleagues and professionals in the working world, so why not start networking early? One of these acquaintances just might have connections they’ll want to share with you later on.
6. Study Material Weekly
You might be tempted to slack a little if you have a light week, but study material stacks up quickly. This is why it’s important to take some time and study at least a small portion of information weekly. This way you’re not stuck cramming for any exams or researching papers. It also gives you a chance to contact your professors if anything seems confusing.
Law school can be intimidating, but it’s also an enormous privilege. Once you get the hang of how your program works and how you can use the many tools at your disposal, you’re likely to settle in and learn in no time.
