Is Law School for You?
The decision of whether or not to attend law school is undoubtedly a daunting one. Law school is a huge (and very costly) commitment that you should be sure about before starting your journey.
Some students may aspire to go to law school because they have parents or family members that are established lawyers. However, some students don’t have the advantage of readily available advice, and likely have no idea of what they can expect when entering law school.
Upon completing my 1L year at Western law, I found that my peers were a great resource for assistance during the process. When nearing the end of the year, I wished I had a letter from myself now to explain what I should have expected, and how I could have better prepared for the experience. That is what prompted me to write this blog post.
After speaking with thriving and diverse law students studying at different law schools across Canada and the United States, I have curated a few helpful tips from them in hopes of clarifying any questions you may have about whether law school is for you.
So, what can you expect upon entering 1L?
“As a Type A person when it comes to academics, 1L can be a difficult experience. You have to be prepared to learn, study, and write in an entirely new way. As with any new experience, you have to allow yourself time to adjust without getting too down on yourself if you do not grasp it all at once. You can’t let a bad grade or two make you feel like you do not deserve to be there” — Alora Fortino, University of Ottawa
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“One thing you will appreciate about law school is the applicability of it to everyday life. Everything you learn will, in some shape or form, resonate with you — whether it connects with something you saw on the news, or directly relates to the life experiences of those around you” — Zagros Habibi, Western Law
Other students drew on their own experiences from their 1L year and offered tips for those who do plan to attend law school.
“There is no ‘right way’ to do law school. Everyone has different study styles and strengths, so basing your habits or outlines on what other people do because it seems to be the ‘majority’ strategy won’t necessarily benefit you. Find what works for you and don’t worry about others. More importantly, don’t forget that you have a life outside of law school. It’s so easy to get caught up in the wonders of it all, but you’ll find the greatest success when you remember to prioritize your mental health” — Natalia Pawlowski, Osgoode Hall
“Go to office hours, attend networking events, and make outlines as you go” — Andrew Eskandar, University of Buffalo
“1L can be overwhelming, and I’m sure you’ve heard that enough. But what you have to remember is that there’s a reason you got into law school and you’ve obviously been doing something right! Don’t get caught up and intimidated by the ‘girl who never leaves the library’ or the guy who ‘somehow knows everyone in the Seven Sisters’ — do what works for you and continue to develop the core skills and habits that got you here, because that’s where you’ll find your competitive edge” — Rania Hammad, Western Law
Aside from the helpful tips from my peers, all I can add to the discussion is that your success in law school depends on your openness to a new, challenging experience. As Natalia mentioned, there is no right way to do law school, but there is a right way to decide whether law school is for you. Educate yourself on the reality of law student life and ask yourself if you could live that reality daily.
Once you’ve decided whether law school is for you, you may want to take these tips (and others that may have been brought to your attention) to heart and take that final jump into the unknown. Helpful hint: it doesn’t have to be all that ‘unknown’ — put yourself out there and ask questions!
