Law school is difficult. Students must immerse themselves in law classes, textbooks, and legal internships. The process is demanding to say the least, as students handle the competitive and stressful environment. It’s a long journey, but for most students, the effort that is put forth is worth it in the end. So how do you absorb enough information to graduate and pass the bar exam?
Here are a few tips for surviving law school.
Attend class!
If you’re failing to go to class you are putting yourself at a major disadvantage. Professors always cover material in class that may not appear in the reading. Not to mention the fact that missing more than twenty percent of the classes will leave you with an “FW”. Even if you retake the course, the mark is permeant. Furthermore, professors will often choose obscure laws for the final exam. Attend class and take notes every time that the professor speaks about a topic they find noteworthy or critically important. Don’t avoid going to class and rely on the slides or case briefs, it will be a waste of your time and damage your academic record.
Participate!
People learn best when they are actively engaged. Don’t just attend class, but take the time to be present in the learning process. Pay attention and do all of the reading. Falling behind in law school can be very difficult to catch up. Do the reading somewhere without distractions so that it doesn’t take you any longer than necessary to be prepared for class. Review your case briefs before each class so that they are fresh in your mind and you’ll feel more confident in participating. Plus, you’ll avoid any chance of being unprepared and feel more comfortable while following the class discussion.
Avoid procrastination to maintain your sanity.
Make it a habit to give yourself deadlines that are a bit earlier than the ones that the professor sets. While it can feel overwhelming at times, nothing is worse than waiting until the last minute and feeling rushed. Instead, take the time to do things, even when you don’t want to. You’ll thank yourself later.
Practice self-care
Law school is hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Remember that it’s okay to schedule yourself a bit of time to do nothing. Visit your friends and family and hang out with people outside of law school. Find a healthy hobby that helps you to unwind and relax. Cooking, exercising, anything that you find enjoyable. It’s important to practice self-care so you avoid burnout. If you work and study every waking minute, not only will you not be at the top of your game, but you may also begin resenting your career choice.