Three Tips For An Overwhelmed 1L Law Student

Three Tips For An Overwhelmed 1L Law Student

Final exams are in full swing at law schools all across the country. For 2Ls and 3Ls that means finishing up another semester of studying, exams, reading, and everything else that comes with law school. For 1Ls, it’s the start of a brand new journey. Although the start of your law school career can be an exciting and new experience, it can also be overwhelming, especially around this time of year. In this post, we give three tips for an overwhelmed 1L student.

Three Tips For An Overwhelmed 1L Law Student

Law School is Difficult

The first piece of advice that we usually give 1L students feeling overwhelmed? Law school is a lot to take in from an academic standpoint (and that’s ok!). The good news is that sooner or later, you’ll find a rhythm of balancing all of the studying, final exams, and work. While the new legal language, concepts, and subject material may seem completely foreign (they should be!), eventually you’ll get comfortable with this new material. Until then, realize that nobody enters law school with full knowledge of the underlying material. This is why you’re in law school in the first place!  Unlike undergrad, where students may have taken high school classes to better prepare for their major, law school is a different story. This brings us to our next point!

 We’re All In This Together

The second piece of advice that we usually give 1L students feeling overwhelmed? Like we alluded to above, keep in mind that law school is a new experience for all students.  That means no matter how out of place, awkward, or overwhelmed you feel – there are other students feeling the exact same way! While you might feel like you’re the only one, trust us when we say you’re most certainly not. Take some solace in the fact that tons of new 1L students feel the same way as you. Keep in mind that on top of law school, many of your classmates also have lives outside of the classroom. That means husbands, wives, children, jobs, bills, etc. Everyone is navigating this largely unknown territory the best they can!

Everybody’s Human

Law school is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. As the old saying goes, “if it was easy, everyone would do it.” That statement continually rings true when it comes to law school. As a 1L student feeling overwhelmed, know there is no issue with feeling anxious, frustrated, overwhelmed, or stressed over school, especially during your 1L year. You’re a human being in the process of accomplishing something great. As a human being, you have emotional responses to certain things. It’s totally normal to feel anxious over exams, dread being called on, or be overwhelmed by the workload. In the case of law school, it would actually be more unique if you didn’t have an emotional response! Your emotions are not proof that law school isn’t meant for you and are not an indication of your academic ability. Remember: your emotions are simply part of being human in an environment that you’re not quite familiar with yet!

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