However, I didn`t prioritize socializing to a high degree, and mostly stuck with a group of close friends in law school. I thought there was no need to actively socialize and meet as many people as possible in law school, so I didn`t put too much energy into socializing and making connections. I thought good grades would be the way to get the most out of law school, and I devoted most of my time and effort as a law student to my studies. You`re a law student, so you can`t do everything the world has to offer. Instead, you have to decide what`s most important and make concessions. This involves figuring out everything you need/want to do and prioritizing. It`s about finding balance in your crazy schedule. Some things are more important than others, while others need to be done as soon as possible. It can also mean scheduling time to be social so you don`t prioritize anything else. However, now that I have been practicing law for almost a decade, I find that social connections, especially with other lawyers, are very important for a career as a lawyer.
Grades are important for your first job outside of law school and can play a role in later hiring. However, as you progress in your career, grades are less important to employers because you have a number of documents where employers can assess your legal practice. Nevertheless, social connections, such as friendships made in law school, can play a role in hiring decisions, as people can give you a “good word” and help you improve your chances of being hired. There are so many things that happen during law school. In your first year, you`ll be bombarded with clubs and study groups to attend, parties to attend, and you`ll want to be home with your partner or family. There`s not much time in a day, a week, a month, or even a year (high five, if you caught that!). Choose your social commitments. For my part, I didn`t like going out for drinks every night after class like some of my classmates. In my first semester, I tended to visit my family much more than spend time with my classmates. It helped me keep my feet on the ground, and I thrive holding babies and playing with the kids (I was a nanny for ten years before law school and had a lot of young kids to visit). I felt better and busier after these visits. In the second semester, I started spending more time with my classmates.
I went to more law school events and saw my family almost as often. I liken it to the fact that I was in control of my schedule and made all these things work. I celebrated a ton in undergrad, but I was paranoid about going out a lot in law school, but I usually had a meaningful dinner with each other a night, as well as occasionally “going out and partying” once a week, while getting good grades. Obviously, people tend to go out less in the month before the final. Just be vigilant about hangovers, as it is seriously a study killer. There will be people who miss a lot, and it will sometimes make you feel lame and antisocial, but their grades usually won`t come out as well. 3L: Not there yet, but I imagine it will be like undergraduate studies, except for the damn Law Review Council It`s not just about you. It is most people who go to law school.
Social life is pretty good. Don`t let A-types depress you either. You always have the bottom 90% of the class to hang out with. Making friends in law school may be a little different than some might think. Some law schools are intense and filled with ruthless and competitive law students, so it can be hard to make real friends. However, not all law students are created equal. You can make friends, just like in the real world, find people who share similar interests or personalities with you! Most of my friendships in law school developed over time or were formed during a course or in an organization. I can assure you that law students always do everything you have listed. At least I know that a lot of people in my law school still watch TV and play music/video games. They also drink heavily and have sex with each other. A lot. So if that`s your thing, you`re going to have a great time.
Let`s face it, law school is crazy. You`re busy all the time, you`re constantly stressed about finding a postgraduate job, trying to take advantage of every opportunity you can and reading all the cases your professors have assigned you. How to find time for something else?? Well, law school is supposed to prepare you to become a lawyer. How, however, no one tells you exactly. Most people believe that law school teaches you to think like a lawyer and understand law and theory. While this is true, I would say that law school really teaches you how to act like a lawyer. I do not mean standing up in court or arguing. The lawyers are VERY busy. At any given time, they could probably work on different things. You have to juggle your clients, your missions and your deadlines, in addition to maintaining your personal life.
Law school is designed to get you to set priorities, strategize and get organized. To be a successful lawyer, you have to manage everything, so in preparation, you have to try to do the same thing as a law student. (Looking for tips on how to apply to law school? Be sure to read the tips here too.) 2L: You can sort of do whatever you want. Just like undergraduates, but most people (at least here) load the courses, so they have an easier 3L year. Many people believe that once you start law school, your social life dies. A dramatic theory, but not necessarily true. I`ll dispel the myth – you can and should always live a social life while completing your law studies. It makes sense that this belief has evolved: law school is stressful, you need to study a lot more than ever, and your future career as a lawyer is at stake.
Although you still have a social life, your life will be very different from what it was before law school. Some things that may be different are how you spend your time and who your friends are. To help you get through this crazy time in your life, I`ve answered a few “questions” you might think about about your social life in law school. Want to get a sense of what law school really is and how it differs from undergraduates? Visit! Most law schools also give you the option to take a course, so you can see these differences firsthand. Some things don`t change between undergraduate and law school, namely: Overall, law students shouldn`t be so dedicated to their studies that they don`t have fun and connect with their classmates while pursuing legal studies. Unlike depictions in movies and TV shows, law school can be a very fun time, especially compared to the chore of working at some law firms later in your career.