What Do I Do The Month Before Law School?

There are two schools of thought of what to do the month before law school starts. The first is to relax, travel, and generally enjoy your time before classes. The other is to prepare for law school by reading law-related books, journals, and articles to get a jumpstart. The right path is probably somewhere in the middle. Here are some ways to spend your time the month before law school begins!

What Do I Do The Month Before Law School?

1. Read…a lot!

This piece of advice is not limited to just law-related subjects. Read a variety of books on history, philosophy, economics, and political science. Your aim is to expose yourself to different perspectives and world views that you can critically analyze. You will have a lot to digest in law school, so start to prepare yourself before classes even start!

2. Start reviewing your Legal Writing and Research texts.

Most law schools require you to take a Legal Writing and Research your first year. This class requires you to learn how to write a variety of case citations, become familiar with the “bluebook” and grasp legal jargon. With the pressure of your other classes, this can be overwhelming. So, get a head start the month before law school and review the material. This can take a huge weight off your shoulders.

3. Review and learn the law.

Invest in a supplement that covers a class you take your first year. I recommend the Examples and Explanations series, but there are a ton of options out there you might like better. Not only will this give you a jump on your classes, but it will also expose you to how law schools structure their courses. Note, it is very difficult to teach yourself a law school course, so only attempt this if you can commit a lot of time to it. Also, don’t go crazy over this. It is just something to start getting your feet wet!

4. Develop healthy habits.

The month before law school is a perfect time to implement healthy lifestyle changes. Develop an exercise routine (which can also help with stress), learn to cook healthy meals, and nail down a good sleep schedule. Any time missed your first year of law school due to illness is hard to make up. So, take some preventative measures before you start classes.

5. Build up law-related skills.

Much like getting a jump start on your Legal Writing and Research class, developing skills to get through class material can save you valuable time down the road. So, spend the month before law school learning to read and brief cases, outline efficiently, and answer questions about law-related subjects when called upon. Learning these skills before you start law school will give you an advantage your 1L year. We teach all the skills you need to know before law school in our law school preparatory course.

6. Finally, find time to relax!

With everything you can do to give yourself an edge your 1L year, you might find it difficult to relax. However, with the amount of work, time, and stress you’ll expend over the next three years, you need to find time for yourself before it all begins. Make sure to spend time with friends and family before your studies begin. Let your brain reset and relax so you are fully ready for your first semester!

Pursuing Law School? We’ve Got You Covered!

🌟 Special Offer: Enroll in our FREE on-demand law school prep course, meticulously crafted by a top-ranked law student. Secure your spot now