You completed your undergrad studies and have successfully made it through the LSAT. Congratulations! Give yourself a pat on the back—these are not easy obstacles to overcome.
Source: PixabayMake sure you enjoy this celebration because the real challenge has yet to come. Law school is an entirely different landscape. A lot of law students don’t even finish their education. Others find themselves overwhelmed and overworked, unable to keep up with the demands of the coursework. But this doesn’t have to be you.
Whether you want to join the ranks of the attorneys, become a future Chief Justice of the United States, or become the most respected lawyer in your town, you can do it. If you are bound and determined to pass the bar, here are some helpful tips for your journey through law school.
Always keep your goals in mind. When times get tough, you have to buckle down and keep at it. Those thousand-page reads and lengthy term papers are not going to be easy, but what did you expect? This is supposed to be challenging and stimulating. Being able to think outside the box is one of a lawyer’s greatest assets.
Make a schedule and stick to it. Planning and staying organized is the only way to get through what is going to seem like an endless supply of work. You won’t get anywhere by taking shortcuts or cramming for tests last minute. Discipline yourself early on. You will be grateful that you did.
Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t expect your usual A’s. Many professors don’t even give A’s. It will be hard to accept a less-than-perfect grade for many people—especially the overachieving law student! But take every B, C, D, and maybe even F as a learning experience and a challenge to do better next time.
Participate. Get to class early to find a good seat where you’ll be more likely to participate in class. Don’t skip classes. Attend events, study sessions, extra lectures, and anything else that will involve you more in the community and broaden your knowledge base, connections, and experience.
Ask for help. Your professors are there to help you understand the material. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of office hours. Upperclassmen are also good people to reach out to when you need help.
Do the reading. In undergrad, it can be easy to get by without doing all the reading. Not anymore. Use whatever reading techniques you like to get it done, but whatever you do—don’t let it pile up.
Remember that it’s not impossible. Law school is challenging, and it takes a great deal of effort. It has a reputation for being insane. But it’s not some impossible feat.
Law school is not for the faint of heart. As challenging as it is, the most important thing to remember is to enjoy the experience while it lasts. Absorb as much as you can and have fun doing so. This is the future you’re working toward!