What To Know About Dropping Out Of Law School

What To Know About Dropping Out Of Law School

If you’re thinking about dropping out of law school and are looking for more information on the process – welcome. Dropping out of law school is a big decision that can impact your life in a number of different ways. JD Advising is here to offer some advice as you work through this difficult decision. Law school isn’t for everyone and students who decide to drop out do so for a myriad of different reasons. At the end of the day, leaving law school to pursue another career is a deeply personal decision. Below we’ve listed some aspects to consider before making the decision to leave law school.

What To Know About Dropping Out Of Law School

Do You Have A Plan B?

If law school is a thorn in your side and you seem set to leave – have a plan for what comes next. Many times, students who leave law school think that the “next adventure” will simply fall into their lap. Similarly, many students tell themselves that they will “figure it out” once they step away from the law school setting. If you plan on leaving law school, have your next steps carefully planned out. Whether it’s going back to work, studying in a different field, or taking tine to adjust to a major life change, make sure to have something planned. Try and figure out where you will be living and how you will cover your living expenses. The last thing you probably want to do is to drop out of law school and find yourself with nothing but time on your hands.

Figure Out Why You’re Leaving

Identifying the primary issue causing you to consider leaving law school can oftentimes lead to finding a solution. So, take some time and honestly answer the question, “why do I want to leave?” Some common reasons that push students to drop out include the following:

• Academic performance;
• Cost of attendance;
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Realizing law school is different than what they had previously imagined; and
• No longer having an interest in practicing law.

Many of the reasons listed above can be remedied by reaching out for help. For example, if your academic performance is lagging, you can work with professors, student services, a tutor, and other resources that might be available to you. If the cost of attendance is becoming prohibitive, speak with the financial aid office at your law school. There may be some scholarship opportunities that available to you! If you’re feeling overwhelmed because of the work, discipline, and responsibility involved in being a law student, you are not alone! Don’t be afraid to utilize on-campus resources, like counselors and psychiatrists for help in talking about and working through these issues. If you’re realizing that law school is different than what you had imagined, know this: many people hate law school but love being lawyers. You could very well be one of those people.

Mental Health

The mental health of law students is not a subject to take lightly. Many law students and lawyers are at least somewhat competitive by nature. Take that fact and mix it with a high-pressure environment filled with many of the same types of people. Add on intensive workloads, all or nothing final exams, and every student’s goal of receiving a full-time offer upon graduation. What do you get? An environment that can cause a lot of students to become anxious, depressed, and miserable. For some, these feelings become overwhelming, to the point where dropping out seems like a good idea.

However, those feelings and emotions don’t need to be a reason to drop out. Instead, they can be a reason to get help and start paying more attention to your mental health going forward. Many students in law school see therapists on a regular basis, take prescription medication, and practice healthy habits. Remember, law school is a temporary experience, and you will not regret taking time to put yourself in a better mental position to continue your law school journey!

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