HOW SHOULD I SPEND THE SUMMER BEFORE LAW SCHOOL?

 This is a question I pondered the summer before starting law school. 

After graduating college, I grew nervous about moving to California to start law school. I wanted to put my best foot forward by doing what I could to prepare myself. I wanted to hit the ground running once law school began. I asked several law students and attorneys for law school preparation tips. I was told to relax, travel, and do fun things. These answers confused me because after just graduating from  undergrad, I grew accustomed to a fast-paced, busy lifestyle. With no job and no real obligations, I felt like I had too much time on my hands. I searched for genuine advice regarding what I could do to prepare. If you are an incoming law student and feel how I felt my summer prior to law school, this post is for you! . 

Below are three tips to help you prepare for law school and still enjoy your summer in the process: 

1. DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS
If you do not currently have a routine, developing healthy habits during the summer will serve you well once you begin law school. Be mindful of certain habits you would like to improve over the summer. For example, I have a bad habit of eating out. Establishing a cooking routine would have been helpful for me. Recognizing the tasks that you must do like shower, laundry, eat, etc. will flow better with your schedule when you have an idea how long its takes you to complete these tasks. Also, identifying stress relievers will be beneficial for when you engage in down time. This will not only help to relieve stress, but maximize time.  

2. NETWORK
Do you know your purpose for attending law school or what practice area(s) you would like to explore? Networking is a great resource to help you develop your path. I recommend using LinkedIn to connect and network with alumni from your law school. Their stories and guidance will help you to envision your purpose, establish your goals, and fuel your motivation for attending law school. I encourage you to record your purpose and review it daily. Allow your "why" to motivate you after long hours of studying. 

3. RESEARCH LEGAL RESOURCES
There are many online resources available to help prepare for law school. Casebriefs.com offers a free online 1L Orientation to give a taste of what law school will be like. Additionally, you can order books that focus on law school success from Amazon.com.

Implementing these tips today will significantly benefit you as your first day of law school approaches. Please comment below on what tip you are most excited about. It's worth your time and effort. Trust the process and embrace the journey!