Academic Success Tips

Are you heading into your first week of the semester? Or maybe it's your first day? Regardless of where you are at in your law school journey, these tips are beneficial to your academic success. 

1. Use Professor Office Hours to Introduce Yourself
Professors may seem intimidating on the first day of law school, especially with cold-calling. Stopping by during office hours to introduce yourself and build a relationship with your professor outside of class will help ease your nerves. Prepare some questions regarding the course. For example, ask your professor if there are any supplemental materials that he or she recommends to help you review and practice course topics. Also, ask your professor about their background and share your interests. These preparations will allow you to build rapport with your professor and make you feel comfortable approaching them when you need help with the material.  

2. Dress The Part 
Typically most first-year law students dread the law school Socratic method. Thinking back to my first day of law school, the idea of getting called on terrified me. Selecting a professional outfit to wear helps with your confidence and it also helps you establish your brand. Most days, I dress for class in business casual attire and am known for my stylish outfits. Remember, it's not who you know, but who knows you. Dressing the part helps you to stand out and also boosts your confidence. You got this! 

​3. Create a Schedule 
Creating a realistic schedule allows you to plan out your week.  Whether you choose to purchase a planner or create a weekly plan on your computer, organization is essential to success in the legal field. Google Calendar is the program I prefer for developing my schedule. This app is easy to use and syncs to my iPhone. I can set reminders to alert me about events. I will create a more in-depth article on my favorite organization tools in the future. 

4. Network 
Are you not sure what area of law you want to practice? Do you already know what type of attorney you would like to be? Either way, networking is a vital component to success for matriculation through law school. If there is a particular faculty or staff member you are interested in speaking with, reach out and schedule a meeting with them. I recommend devoting one hour a week to networking. Keep a spreadsheet of the contacts you meet and note when you follow-up with them. As a law student, your time is valuable. Attend networking events and set a goal to collect at least one or two business cards of people that you would be interested in speaking with again. This practice allows you to make the most efficient use of your time. Also, connect with classmates, 2Ls, 3Ls, and alumni of your school. Theses are excellent connections to establish for when you are preparing for job opportunities in the future. 

5. Secure Outlines for all of your Courses 
In the beginning of the semester, reach out to 2Ls and 3Ls for a copy of their outlines for your specific professors. There are many resources that you can refer to for outlining. Accessing an outline explicitly tailored to your professor and the nuanced information he or she covers will give you an advantage when you start developing your outline. 

I hope you find these tips useful. Always remember that time management and life balance are critical. If you have any questions regarding these strategies, please reach out to me through to contact page. I am happy to provide more information. Please comment below regarding what advice you plan to implement and how it will be beneficial to your legal journey.