Have a lot of questions about law school? There are a few steps that you can take before beginning your first semester to prepare yourself.
Start researching schools that meet your criteria – be it campus size, distance from home, proximity to specific legal fields etc.
1. Research
As a prospective law student, conducting extensive research is vital in making your decision about which schools to apply to and ultimately attend. Your undergraduate coursework and extracurricular activities will equip you with essential research skills needed for law school study – this means developing skills like conducting detailed analyses while clearly communicating them to instructors and peers alike.
At first, it’s advisable to compare your academic criteria-LSAT scores and GPA-to the average admitted student profile at each of your target schools. You can gather this information through various means – speaking to current students and alumni as well as browsing online data such as full-time and adjunct faculty numbers as well as the student-faculty ratio at each institution. Make sure you create a spreadsheet so you can keep an accurate record of your findings!
2. Make a Study Plan
By setting aside time each day to study and complete school-related tasks, creating an electronic or paper calendar schedule can be extremely helpful in managing time effectively and meeting important obligations such as work and family commitments without forgetting basics such as meals and rest!
Schedule study time around your classes and syllabi. Be realistic in considering when, where, and how you are most productive–for example studying before bed or working during lunch breaks. Create routines around these times so that studying becomes part of your routine.
Do not forget to set aside time for exercise, socializing with friends, spending time with family and pets as well as checking on in-school deferment on federal and private loans – these activities will keep both mind and body healthy while you pursue law school studies.
3. Get a Job
Once you’ve secured admission into law school and verified that any existing education loans have been placed on automatic deferment, it’s time to get working. Consider signing up for a spring clinic or externship for credit (check Symplicity), or find a part-time job to provide some financial stability while developing oral communication skills necessary for legal careers.
There is no single work experience that will prepare you for law school education; students come to law school from varied educational backgrounds. No matter whether or not your non-legal jobs appear on your resume, be sure to include them as evidence in secondary essays or personal statements and explain them thoroughly.
Be wary of overselling your accomplishments; admissions committees could quickly disbelieve claims such as increasing profits by 3000% at a company you only worked at for two months.
4. Get a Life
Law school can be daunting. Between reading for class, tests and stressful exams, and making time for activities outside of class and having non-law student friends to help manage stress levels. Doing these things will keep your sanity intact while helping improve performance in classes.
Law school will cost almost everyone thousands in debt, so you should carefully monitor your spending. Consider living with roommates if possible and forgoing expensive memberships such as SoulCycle.
Law school can be like high school on steroids; you will encounter people who gossip and make you feel terrible. Avoid getting drawn into drama as this will not get you anywhere, except possibly further diminishing trust between individuals around you.
5. Take Care of Yourself
No matter where you stand on this journey to law school, whether that be with excitement and anticipation for its promise or with anxiety over exams and job prospects – whatever it may be – it is essential that you put aside distractions to focus on what really matters – other people’s expectations might cloud our judgement, but as your experience may only happen once it’s important that personal and professional goals take precedence over any expectations others might place upon you.
Remind yourself why you decided to become a lawyer in the first place by taking time out for reflection and open discussion with family and friends about how your new life will impact them – this can prevent anyone feeling left out while helping to reduce stress levels as they provide support rather than become burdens for you.