Entering law school is often a journey fraught with challenges and opportunities. As we, the creators of The Law Unscripted, reflect on our experiences, we can’t help but recognize missteps we made along the way. Here are some of the worst decisions we feel we made during our time in law school and the lessons we learned from them.

Chelsey’s “Worst Decisions”

1. Not Asking Law School Professors for Help

In my undergraduate years, building relationships with professors was a cornerstone of my academic success. I spent significant amounts of time getting to know my professors and utilizing their office hours. However, when I transitioned to law school, the virtual landscape brought on by COVID-19 posed a new challenge. Zoom office hours felt impersonal, and I hesitated to reach out for help.

Looking back, I realize I missed out on valuable opportunities to deepen my understanding of the material and establish connections with faculty members. The rapport I established with my undergrad professors helped me garner recommendation letters for law school because the professors knew me. But in law school, I didn’t spend enough time working with my professors for them to know me, and I missed out on valuable help, guidance, and recommendations.

Lesson learned: Overcoming discomfort is crucial for growth. Building relationships with professors can provide invaluable support and guidance throughout law school and beyond.

2. Not Writing My Own Subject Matter Outlines

The other “worst” decision I made in law school was not outlining. Throughout my three years of law school, I neglected to create subject matter outlines, opting instead to rely on pre-existing resources from outline banks. Sure, I would edit the outlines I downloaded, but I didn’t reinvent the wheel. I did case briefs, but I never made a subject matter outline from my own knowledge of the subjects like other law students did for their finals.

While this approach worked for me, it deviated from conventional wisdom. I never had to study until I got to law school. Therefore, I found myself struggling to adapt to the note-taking demands of it. When I tried to take notes, I ended up writing down 4 sporadic words that didn’t seem to relate to anything I needed to remember. I recalled most of the conversations had in class, but I couldn’t process information AND write it down at the same time.

Somehow, I managed to muddle through without taking abundant (or any) notes of my own, but for most law students, I think not outlining would be a mistake.

Lesson learned: Recognizing individual learning styles is essential. While outlining may be a staple for many, exploring alternative study methods can lead to unexpected success.

Virginia’s “Worst Decisions”

3. Writing on the Law Journal

The allure of prestigious law journals and the pressure to pursue elite opportunities led me to write onto the Law Review. I was so afraid of missing out that I let other people pressure me into thinking this was something I had to do. Even career services told me that if I wanted to get a good job, I had to write in a journal, especially an elite one.

Once I got on to the Law Review, I didn’t feel like I could quit or opt out of it, so I stayed on and was even put onto the editorial board. However, it was one of the worst decisions I ever made, not only in law school, but in life. It consumed my time, my energy, and my life.

Sure, the Law Review is a nice thing to include in my resume, but I didn’t need it. None of my future employers cared if I wrote on it because I didn’t go to Wall Street or to a big firm. No judge, jury, or fellow attorney has ever asked if I wrote for Law Review, either. In hindsight, I realize I succumbed to external pressures rather than following my passions.

Lesson learned: Authenticity should guide academic and career decisions. Pursuing opportunities that align with personal goals and values is paramount, even if they diverge from conventional paths.

4. Participating in Too Many Law School Activities

Fueled by fear of missing out (FOMO), I also overloaded my schedule with extracurricular activities. Not only did I write on Law Review, but I was also on Moot Court and Mock Trial teams. I was terrified of not doing something I needed to do. What if that was the one thing a future employer would want to have seen me do?

However, the decision to “do everything” not only strained my mental health but also detracted from my academic performance and interpersonal connections. Law Review was a full-time job in and of itself. I was spending 35-40 hours a week just on that. Then, I was on trial and moot court teams, practicing and going to competitions day in and day out. I was doing all of this while trying to study for my law school subjects, and my grades suffered.

For what I ended up doing after law school and for what I wanted to do at that time – be a trial lawyer – I didn’t need to do all of that. I caused myself so much stress and anxiety that was completely unnecessary. I went in thinking I had to be someone and that I had to be the best at everything and against everyone. It was a competition, but I wish somebody had said to me, “Virginia, you don’t have to do this competition. You don’t have to be number one at this to be someone or to belong here.” I didn’t know myself well enough, and I wanted to be someone others respected, revered, or even feared. I didn’t realize until years later that I would be somebody without that extra award or line on my resume.

Lesson learned: Prioritizing well-being and authenticity fosters genuine growth and fulfillment. Embracing one’s identity and interests can lead to more meaningful experiences and relationships in law school.

Conclusion

In hindsight, our journeys through law school were marked by both triumphs and tribulations. While we regret some of our “bad” decisions, we are grateful for the lessons they imparted. By embracing vulnerability, authenticity, and self-awareness, we strive to navigate our legal careers with purpose and resilience. In fact, we created The Law Unscripted to encourage and help law students through school, semester exams, and Bar Exam journeys.

*** To watch and listen to Chelsey and Virginia discuss their best and worst Law School decisions, catch their podcasts at: