Law students must develop critical thinking skills to be successful in class. Many schools utilize the Socratic method, in which professors ask their students to defend their line of reasoning against any criticism that may come their way.
Grades in higher education programs rely heavily on exams, with grades often calculated according to an established grading curve. Cramming won’t get you far; real world experience must be gained via clinics, internships or moot court proceedings in order to succeed in your coursework.
Academics
Law school can be an intensely academic experience that develops analytical reasoning and argument skills while imparting knowledge of case law. A typical three-year curriculum begins with first year classes covering basic areas like contracts, torts and civil procedure – providing students with a strong foundation for future career endeavors.
Law classes often utilize the Socratic method, an interactive discussion-based approach requiring student participation. Furthermore, classroom discussions will often include moot court simulations wherein students must research complex legal issues before presenting them before an impartial judge or panel of judges for adjudication.
Exams play an integral part in law school grading systems. Exams tend to be lengthy and challenging tests graded on a curve; students should develop a comprehensive study strategy and consider joining or founding a study group in order to ensure optimal exam prep.
Careers
Law school demands more accountability of its students, from higher standards of professionalism to hands-on legal experience through clinics and externships, moot court or mock trial and volunteer activities. Your professors, peers and clients all expect you to deliver your best performances.
Most classes utilize the Socratic method, in which professors encourage class discussion by asking frequent, random questions of students in class and calling on random individuals at random for answers. Although newcomers might find this intimidating, this form of education is the way lawyers learn – offering real world practice opportunities and giving you an advantage against your competition.
Beginning your legal school career is the start of building your professional network; those you meet along the way will become invaluable resources throughout your career. They may provide career guidance or alert you of job openings; they could also serve as mentors. Additional support may be found through student services offices and networking groups on campus for everything from stress-management and mental health assistance, job hunting assistance, or interview preparation assistance.
Personal life
At law school, your grades are mostly determined by exam scores. While certain classes do utilize oral presentations and writing projects to asses student understanding of legal doctrines, most depend on exams as the sole measure. You will gain most of your doctrinal knowledge during the first year through courses such as civil procedure, criminal law, contracts & property and torts* which provide an introduction to various legal issues you will explore further in L-2** and L-3 years.
Law students frequently participate in study groups during the first year of law school, particularly during their initial year of enrollment. Study groups offer students valuable feedback on case briefs, practice exam questions and create useful outlines that help prepare for class prep time.
As law students embark upon their legal studies journeys, it is vitally important that they seek educational, extra-curricular and life experiences which provide a strong base from which their professional identity can develop. Otherwise, they could face issues associated with stress, depression and burnout that hinder their chances of succeeding within law practice.
Social life
Law school can be an extremely daunting environment. Legal practice is highly competitive and law school experience can be intense academically. Therefore, it is crucial to know what you’re getting yourself into before entering this particular academic environment so as to determine whether this is suitable.
Most students entering law school in the U.S. do so after having earned an undergraduate degree – such as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) or Science (B.S.).
Contrary to undergraduate education, where majors often determine your post-college career path and academic subjects can be explored freely, the primary goal for law students in law school should be to become lawyers – this requires an extremely disciplined mindset and approach; those who successfully combine law school with social life often employ various tactics such as study groups to do so successfully.