Whether you’re struggling with your studies, or just looking for some extra advice on how to thrive, here are 5 tips for succeeding in law school in 2022.
1. Choose the right options
Many law schools offer students several options to choose from, which can be both a blessing and a curse. If you’re not sure which topics are right for you, there are four key questions to consider:
- What are your career plans?
- What subjects do you prefer to study?
- What are your weaknesses within your education?
- And what are your strengths?
“Talk to students who have already chosen the options you’re interested in to get first-hand feedback on the experience. You can also talk to the relevant instructors and find out what they want from students for their option” recommends Emma Joneslecturer in law and member of the Open Justice team of the Open University.
“Thinking carefully about what you choose and why is a great first step to getting the best possible grades in your chosen subjects.”
2. Prepare
There’s no easier way to fail law school than regularly missing classes and/or coming to class without a clue as to what’s going on. While reading and preparing the evening — or a few days — before it might feel like a slog at the time, but it will be worth it in the end if it allows you to get the most out of your lessons.
To get the best grades possible, consider your university studies as a full-time job, with the average first-year law student taking about 30 – 40 hours a week. Devoting a reasonable portion of these hours to preparation at the beginning of the week will make the rest of your study hours much easier.
3. Networking
“Few professional development concepts are as divisive as the topic of networking. Most lawyers – recent graduates, as well as the veterans of the profession – agree that a well-developed network of contacts is essential for effective personal marketing,” say Alice GraftonPartner at Cheesewrights. And the same advice applies to law students.
Attempting to network while simultaneously completing law school may seem like a daunting prospect, but it will help you build new acquaintances within the legal industry, discover new career opportunities, and build the relationships that may help you land your dream job. to get right from the university. Further, networking in law school can help you build better relationships with your fellow students, enabling you to form study groups and seek peer support if you are ever in need.
4. Find a revision strategy that works for you
Cramming revisions for an exam is no way to get top grades – but neither is following a revision strategy that you don’t really deal with.
“If you are someone who spends hours revising an exam and then are disappointed with the results, then you may need to rethink your revision methods. You could be wasting time on inefficient techniques” says Bradley Busch, a registered psychologist and director of InnerDrive. “You make people put in a lot of effort, but not in a targeted way.”
While some people thrive in a study group, others are best reviewed on their own. And some may find that a split between the two is the perfect strategy for them. Taking practice exams, reading class notes, making flashcards, memorizing facts by saying them out loud, and creating mind maps are all great revision techniques to test. Trying out these different revision strategies can take time, but finding the ones that work for you is a critical step to getting the numbers you deserve.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Admitting you’re struggling can be very difficult, but it’s an important step to take because it allows you to seek the support you need. Most law schools and universities have at least one professional academic support person who you can easily reach by email or by stopping by their office. You can also contact your professors for support and advice.
“Your professors can be your biggest and best mentors, resources, and champions. The possibilities for learning from it also extend far beyond the classroom” says New England law.
Ask for more feedback on your past essay and exam performance. Ask for clarification on anything you don’t fully understand. Ask your colleagues for guidance — especially those who are currently performing above you.
Last rule
Getting the grades you want in law school can be a monumental challenge, but with these 5 tips, you can easily make it happen.