Basic Advice for incoming Students...

So I spoke to a friend sometime ago (Marc - congrats on making it in) and I told him that at orientation I am a part of the student panel for incoming students but I can never remember all I want to tell incoming students ( I know I could write it down but that would be too smart) so this year I am posting things on my blog and I hope that other students will post their own comments to help others along.

First things first RELAX…I bloody hate all the horror stories that people feed incoming students and the stories that people who had a bad law school experience try to propagate. There is no doubt that law school is stressful. But, the same is true for all grad programs; you just can’t let the stress get to you, otherwise you are in for the 3-4 worse years of your life. I enjoyed/enjoy law school and enjoyed the people around me who helped to make it better. (shout out to the Rainbow Coalition)

So since I mentioned people lets talk about friends: Make them and treasure them. It’s a cliché but, “no man is an island.” Make friends in school it makes the time here so much easier and it provides a support system to help you through whatever may come. You will find that you meet a ton of people during orientation exchange numbers emails whatever get to know people NOW because during the semester you will find that your world becomes dominated by your section and the rest of the law school becomes a foreign land to you. There is very little interaction outside of your section beyond (personal plug- BAR REVIEW).

Shall we move to academics because I know at this point many readers are panicked and wondering about classes, grades, professors and class participation. But if you do the above two things then you can face the academic portion of law school with a strong base. Let me address this portion by answering questions I always get.
- Will a professor embarrass me in class? No! (Yes if you have not read) There is not a single 1L professor that attempts to embarrass a student, being asked to answer in class should not be a scary moment it should be a moment to put your knowledge to use.
- What if I don’t like to talk? You will only have to talk as much as the professor has asked you and you will only be questioned on the material that was given to y’all to read. Most professors have a system that will let you know when you will be called on and it’s the easiest thing in the world to prepare for.
- Will I have to read every night? Yes and No. It makes it easier to keep up if you read every night but if you prefer to read say 4 out of 5 days do so as long as you keep up with all the material and that is the most important thing in law school KEEP UP WITH THE READINGS. Especially in your first year you do not want to fall behind the readings and it’s impossible to give an informed answer in class if you can not follow along with the professor.
- Will I get a good grade? Sure! Why not? Our school thankfully has not yet become a legacy school so everyone here is here on their merit. So be assured your classmates are going to be some of the smartest people you will ever meet (some will know it and be cocky- avoid them) that being said it means that everyone here has the same chance coming in to get an A or to get a D. Hard work will be what separates the classes and learning little tricks.
- What can I do to get an edge? Go and see your professors: Professors will always make time for students and they will always cut through the bull and let you know what you need to know. In class it’s not always easy to completely understand a prof but going to see them afterwards is always good because you get to know a professor (think recommendations) and you make sure that you learn exactly what the professor wants not just general ideas.

Peripheral stuff: Nothing spreads through the law school faster than gossip with illness running a close second. Be aware of your reputation, do not do anything that you think you will be ashamed of. The law school is a closed community and when something happens it does not take long for it to circulate. Be decent to everyone you meet you are no better than anyone else here so try not to be an ass. Take care of yourself try to get some rest etc. Once someone in your class gets ill it’s amazing how quickly others will get sick.

Do not be afraid to approach 3rd and 2nd years none of us are too busy to talk to a 1L. Some of my best friends were in the year above me and don’t forget they have OUTLINES!

Oh and my friends in financial aid have asked me to remind everyone to stay up to date with their office.

Finally Come to Bar review
I will add more things as I can think of them and I hope this mini list and the ensuing comments will be helpful.