Brown Boy Goes to Law School

I was poking around on LSD and found couple of good threads. Some first-year law students–they’re called 1L’s–were giving their thoughts on their first year of law school. Here’s some stuff I found interesting…

“Note Taking: I found it really beneficial to take notes BEFORE class based on the reading, and then just supplement these notes with whatever the professor said in class. This facilitates active reading, and thinking about the material before you get into class (and is similar to what the briefing process does for you too….)

Professor Interaction: I went and talked with all of my professors outside of class, and found it to be really helpful. First, they get to know you a little outside of class, which can only help when it becomes necessary to ask faculty for recommendations. Second, I found that sometimes they were able to clear up an issue with five minutes of office time that had left me confused after an hour of class time. Don’t know why, but that happened more than once.

Socializing/Networking: I think socializing in law school is really important. You need friends, becuase it’s a long, difficult road you’re starting down, and you don’t want to travel alone. Also, I know others have said this, but it bears repeating–You’re joining the legal community as soon as you step foot on campus. 3 years isn’t really that long (although it’ll feel neverending come next April), and you’ll soon be lawyers, and your clasmates will be your collegues. The reputation you develop in law school will without a doubt follow you into the professional legal world. So be friendly, be nice, if for no other reason that you want to be someone your classmates will think well of (and send business to) when you are practicing. I think it’s important to realize, that for better or worse, you’re about to join a very very VERY social profession. Networking will become a part of your life, even if you can’t stand it, or it doesn’t come naturally to you. So start early. Go to what ever social events you school has planned for your orientation, and really try to talk to people (this can be hard if you’re naturally shy…I know because I am, and it takes a lot of effort for me to just walk up to strangers and start a conversation, but I’m getting better at it, or at least more comfortable doing it…)”

- AtlAggie

“You absolutely need some legal work experience over the summer.  Ideally, I’d suggest doing both; take 1 or maybe 2 classes, and work part-time some where.”

- jacy85

“But the thing to remember is that everyone has their own style.  I know people who sit in the library 10 hours a day, going crazy over small, minute details in the reading.  Some of those people did very well on exams, too.  Bottom line is find a system that works for you and go with it.”

- Actual1L

The more I read, the more I figure out that getting the best grades you possibly can during your first year in order to get a solid summer internship is really what it all comes down to. Period.