Law school is a daunting experience meant to prepare you for the stresses of a legal career. That being said, it’s absolutely essential to be properly educated. So, whether your end goal is to enjoy small-town life as one of the best lawyers in Albury or become a high-powered corporate lawyer in New York, let’s take a look at five ways to get there effectively.
1. Reduce outside distractions
Law school is no walk in the park – it’s a high-stress environment full of intelligent people all competing with each other. Furthermore, the subject matter everyone’s studying is full of technical jargon and detailed language that demands intense focus. Those with a strong ability to concentrate will outcompete those who get distracted by the latest tweet, meme, or political drama.
Outside of avoiding low-hanging fruit such as social media updates and other attention drains, it’s crucial to get everyone in your life on board with what you’re doing. That means letting your friends and family know that graduating from law school is your top priority, so you might have to miss a few Friday nights out with friends or Sunday dinners with family.
2. Plan your studying
To tweak an old nugget of wisdom: failing to plan is planning to fail. Studying law is a challenging endeavor full of assignments, exams, and thousands of pages of reading. Needless to say, an ad-hoc “it will sort itself out” approach is bound to fail.
From day one, it’s best to create and stick to a study plan that clearly defines short-term and long-term goals. For example, some students prefer handwriting a schedule in a traditional planner, while others prefer digital platforms. Whatever the end solution, keep one goal at the center: setting aside time to review class notes, finish assignments, search for extracurricular activities, and whatever else is needed to succeed.
3. Ask for help when needed
Although many students pride themselves on their independence, it’s also important to know when to ask for help. Law is an incredibly complex field, and no one knows everything. So, if you find yourself stuck on some arcane legal matter, consider asking your professors for help.
Additionally, you may reach out to an academic support person, counselor, or therapist if things are getting too tough.
4. Form or join a study group
Most law students study alone. However, joining (or forming) a study group of like-minded peers can reinforce classroom material. Furthermore, the open discussion of that material – law concepts, case studies, and the like – can help clear up confusion and reveal areas you need to study more.
For a study group to truly succeed, you must set a few boundaries. For example, rather than creating a class-size group, limit the size to five or so students so everyone can be heard without difficulty. In addition, ensure that each student is well-prepared and shares the same goals as you.
5. Get enough sleep
Perfecting your sleep schedule may be difficult, considering all the studying required, but it’s essential to try. Lack of sleep, especially if it persists over long periods, can negatively impact your ability to pay attention, solve problems, and generally use your brain to the best of its ability.
There are many ways to improve your sleep quality, but the basics include limiting caffeine intake, exercising daily, and practicing relaxation techniques.
Law school is a challenging yet rewarding experience. To ensure you succeed, take on the five habits above. By planning your schedule, improving your sleep, making study social, and reaching out for help, you’ll set yourself up for a far easier and more enjoyable time.
