5 Tips for Acing Law School
So you’ve done it. You’ve decided to go to law school after your grandma told you that you’re not getting any younger, or you realized that a Masters in Philosophy will make your theoretical life fuller, but not necessarily your financial one.
As you embark on three years of intense study and very little social life, (It’s going to be ok) here are some tips on how to not only survive law school, but ace it.
photo/ lil_foot_ via pixabay
- Read everything and take notes on it, too.
An age-old tip remembered from college is that you better do the reading, and that means all of it. So much of law school is absorbing information and being able to comprehend and strategize according to it. Taking notes will help you to absorb what you’ve read as the act of writing helps you memorize information more easily. This will be your intro to briefing cases.
- Go to class and pay attention.
Another foolproof way to ensure you do well is actually going to class. Where you may have skipped Geography 101 in undergrad, you’re not going to want to miss anything in law school or you can easily fall behind, lose valuable notes, or get confused. Make sure you have your morning coffee so you’re extra perky, and don’t skip lunch. You have to be alert if you want to know how to save your buddy from spending his life savings on repairs after an accident, or you could just call 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney.
- Form a study group.
What’s better than having a nervous breakdown alone? Having a collective one! All jokes aside, forming a study group will not only help you connect with peers, it will also give you different perspectives on class material and force you to study once a week. You can get organized, understand cases and make friends all in one hour. It gives you something to look forward to.
- Create practice exams and review.
Some professors and law school libraries keep previous exams on record for current students to use. Take advantage of this resource. You will know more about what to expect on exams and how to properly study for them. You will need to review class materials and practice exams more than you did in undergrad, so make time to study frequently. There is no cramming in law school.
- Don’t let the competition get to you, and learn how to manage your stress.
This is perhaps the most important advice for your mental health for the next three years. Law school can be extremely competitive in terms of grades, scores on the bar exam, and jobs after you graduate. Playing into the competition can make you more stressed than ever, and you have enough to worry about. Drink plenty of water, get a good night’s sleep, talk to friends about stressors if it begins to feel overwhelming, and don’t forget that law school is not your whole life.
Navigating law school can be challenging, the work can be strenuous– but you’re there for a reason. Start good habits now, and you’ll be sure to survive it.
Author: Sheikh Hazaifa
