This document is intended to help first year law students get the most out of their first year of law school. This guide contains tips from the personal experience of a first class graduate about the life of a law student in first year, and the things that you can do to get the most out of your exp...
First Class Law
Essentials
Law School: A Guide for First Year Law Students
So… you made it into Law School! That is already a fantastic accomplishment
that you should be very proud of. While you have already surpassed the hurdle
of applications, this is only the beginning. You have a foot in the door of a major
industry, but it is what you do on the other side that counts now.
First year is a highly exciting but rather daunting time for the majority of
students. This is going to be a challenging, frustrating, but ultimately rewarding
experience in your life. The road ahead will not be easy, and the feelings of
‘imposter syndrome’ and confusion can arise rapidly. As a first year, you might
not know anything about law school – or even the law – so you might not know
what to expect. However, by making the most of your first year, you can
overcome these challenges and adapt to the life of a law student.
This guide contains tips from the personal experience of a first class graduate
about the life of a law student in first year, and the things that you can do to get
the most out of your experience. The following tips will help you to be able to
survive and thrive in a highly competitive environment.
, 1. Start preparing early
You might be thinking that first year is going to be really chill and easy: it is not.
As soon as you start the first semester, it can be really easy to fall behind. The
further you fall behind, the more stressed you will become when it comes to
coursework and exams. Academically, law school will be like nothing you have
experienced before. The earlier that you start turning up to class, making notes,
reading books, the more likely you are to keep up with the pace of law school
and create good habits.
It is recommended that you start reading and becoming familiar with the
fundamental basics of law to have a solid understanding of the course you are
about to commit to for the foreseeable future. In the first semester, you can
become quickly overwhelmed with legal definitions, a long reading list, and
several new topics that you have not seen before. If you read and learn the
basics of law, you will be able to start the year with less stress and a better
understanding of the lectures ahead.
Read study guides (like those here) and start reading books that clearly explain
the fundamentals of the law, such as the ‘Law Essentials’ books. Gather your
study tools, such as investing in a personal computer or notebooks to take
notes during lectures. The more that you prepare for the beginning of the year,
the easier it will be.
2. Make friends and network with your cohort
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