Archive for the ‘Law School Tips’ Category

Warning to Those Applying to Law School

I was talking to some “pre-law students” the other day in the cafeteria, answering any questions they had while dishing out some independent advice. One of the most important things an entering law student should know before going in is the legal market is saturated. I’m not saying this to discourage anyone from entering law school that wants to. There will always be positions for those who are talented and knowledgeable. What I am saying is that an overwhelming number of law school graduates are flooding the legal scene (in Texas and around the nation) and there will be less pay and less jobs to go around.

Along these lines, don’t go to law school because it’s something to do when you get a weak degree. Go because you have a genuine desire to work in the law. If not, law school is too expensive just to collect another diploma. Head to business school or some other higher education path if you’re heart isn’t in the law.

Tie Up Loose Ends Before Law School

Law school is about to start.  Before it does, make sure you get everything else out of the way so you can concentrate on your school work.  If you’ve read this law student blog before, you know I highly recommend bursting through any procrastination you might have.  This applies to non-school work to.

Two big items are law school loans and textbooks.  Make sure you have these taken care of and you’ll save yourself headaches in the very near future.  Also, other to-dos include getting back on a school schedule with workouts included, washing clothes, cleaning your room and car, and eating breakfast.

Procrastination In Law School

The students I admire most in law school are the ones that are able to go right through their homework.  My biggest achilles heel when studying is procrastination.  I know other students suffer from the same problem.  I think the best cure is just to attack your assignments head on and not try to ease into them.  For example, just take a 4 hour block of time and tell yourself for the next four hours I’m studying evidence.

Studying in concentrated blocks of time improves efficiency and helps you retain the information better.  If you’re fragmenting off bits of time for breaks, talking, Internet, etc. then you won’t retain the information as well and it won’t strongly connect to other parts of the subject area.  Also, fragmenting usually ends up taking much longer than had you just run through the material straight.

Sit at an empty table, grab a water and a snack and start studying.