If you find yourself in a difficult time during law school, keep going and don’t give up. You’ve got more skills than you realize. In this issue of Student Lawyer magazine, we help you reflect on your strengths and focus on the skills you will need going forward.
The Case for Putting Yourself “Out There”
Putting yourself out there is different for everyone. The degree to which you’re comfortable interacting with others may be different from someone else’s. I think it comes down to this: Understand yourself enough to know what you want to do and how you want to spend your time.
Law Students: You’re Stronger Than You Probably Realize
This isn’t meant to be a sob story about how difficult my first year of law school was. My point is that you surely have difficulties of your own, and I’m here to tell you that perseverance in the face of adversity will get you through difficult times.
Beyond the Law: The Skills Future Lawyers Need
How can you be ready for the next shift in the legal industry? Always keep an eye out for the skills forward thinkers say you’ll need. Start with these areas of focus legal experts say will place you ahead of your competition as your career unfolds.
8 More Skills to Build
Lawyers and others in the legal world say these superpowers should also be part of your toolkit.
Older Student? Use It to Your Advantage
Whatever brought you to law school later in life, returning to the classroom carries different challenges and considerations than it might have when you were 24—a common age for 1L students.
First-Generation Law Students: How to Start Strong
We were also first-gen law students, and we’re both now practicing lawyers—and we’re here to help guide you through a successful law school career (for you non-first-gen students, we can help you, too!). Let’s start with five fresh tips for thriving as a first-gen law student.
1L Corner
Your law library is way more than just books
A law library is more than merely a warehouse of books. It’s more like a portal to the vast world of legal information, with research and reference librarians as your guides. Get to know your librarians now, and it’ll make your life easier throughout law school and even your legal career.
Legal Writing
First-year legal writing mistakes and how to avoid them
Are you making any — or all — of these flubs many 1Ls can’t seem to avoid? Worry not. You can improve your writing with a few smart tactics.
I Wish I’d Known
Michael Nava: Fight for Your Place
Yes, the legal profession often feels unwelcoming to us, but you must fight for your place in it and keep the gate open for others to follow. This isn’t merely a matter of personal accomplishment but a social necessity.
Wellness
Invest in REST: Here’s how to give yourself a break
If you’re like me, you struggle with resting. Sure, you may have some downtime, but are you using it to refresh yourself, or are you doom-scrolling in a way that provides no mental break? Here are a few things that have helped me in my pursuit of REST.
Your Money
Why Building Wealth Starts Now
Let me tell you the number one key to building wealth: managing your money intentionally and directing it to where you want it to go. It’s a skill you want to start honing in law school.