Preparing to start law school is both exciting and daunting. The summer before you start your legal education is a critical time to prepare, and if you do the “right” things, you can hit the ground running once classes begin in the Fall. Thus, we recommend doing the following 6 activities to prepare for law school:

1. Plan Your Finances

Law school is a significant financial investment, and most law schools recommend that students devote full-time attention to their studies, not to working jobs. Thus, it’s essential to get your finances in order. Use the summer before to:

• Create a Budget: Estimate your expenses, including tuition, books, housing, and daily living costs so that you know how much money you need in grants or loans per semester. Then, make yourself a daily, weekly, or monthly allowance so you don’t blow through the money too quickly.
• Set Up Living Arrangements: Using the budget you created, find affordable and safe living arrangements for your tenure in law school. Decide ahead of time if you need a roommate to help cover expenses.
• Purchase a Suit: Get fitted for and purchase a suit for interviews, mock trials, moot courts, or any other law school obligations that will require you to dress professionally.

2. Familiarize Yourself with the Law School Curriculum

Understanding what lies ahead can also significantly ease your transition into law school. So, to prepare for law school, research core courses typically offered in the first year, such as:

• Civil Procedure
• Constitutional Law
• Contracts
• Criminal Law
• Torts

You don’t have to memorize terms before classes, but familiarizing yourself with basic legal concepts associated with core subjects can make your 1L year significantly easier. Several introductory books and online resources provide overviews that can be invaluable.

As an added bonus, we provide information about the law and the legal system that “you never knew, you never understood, and no one ever told you” through our podcast, The Law Unscripted. We do our best to make the content relatable, informative, and fun, so start with, “Civil v. Criminal Law Explained through the OJ Simpson Legal Cases” and go from there!

3. Develop Effective Study Habits

Next, we recommend that you develop effective study habits before you start law school. Compared to undergraduate studies, law school demands a different level of rigor. In fact, many students who sailed through undergraduate classes without having to study to get good grades (like our very own Chelsey Rogers!), find that law school requires them to buckle down and study like never before.

Therefore, it’s crucial for you to refine your study skills and habits before you go to law school. Decide if you will type or handwrite your class notes (check professor policies if they are available to you); then, practice some study strategies like these:

• Active Reading: Engage with texts by taking notes, highlighting key points, and summarizing sections in your own words.
• Case Briefing: Practice reading and briefing cases to extract the essential facts, issues, holdings, and rationales.
• Time Management: Create a study schedule that balances reading, reviewing, and relaxation. Tools like planners or digital apps can help you maintain a disciplined routine.
• Speed Typing: Take an online or in-person typing class to increase your typing speed so that you can keep up with your professors in real time.

4. Read Books about the Law and Legal System

As you’re honing and practicing your study skills, the summer before you start law school is also a great time to immerse yourself in literature. Try books that offer broad perspectives on the law like:

• “1L of a Ride: A Well-Traveled Professor’s Roadmap to Success in the First Year of Law School” by Andrew McClurg. Often assigned as required reading by law professors, this book offers a roadmap to success for students in their first year of law school.
• “One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School” by Scott Turow. This journal memoir gives a realistic glimpse into the challenges and experiences of a first-year law student at Harvard Law School in the nineteen seventies.
• “Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams” by Richard Michael Rischl and Jeremy Paul. This book provides insights into the unique nature of law school exams and effective strategies for success.
• Books written by your law professors. For you overachievers out there, find books and articles written by your upcoming 1L professors. Explore their areas of expertise so you can communicate with them in the classroom!

Not only will these readings build your knowledge, but they will also inspire and motivate you!

5. Make Professional Connections

Networking with peers going to law school, with law school alumni, and with law school professors can also help you prepare for law school. Use the summer to start building your professional connections by:

• Joining Online Forums and Groups: Participate in forums like Reddit or student groups on LinkedIn to meet peers, receive encouragement, and gain insights. Take this time to clean-up your resume and headshots, too!
• Attending Pre-Law Events: Search for webinars, workshops, local meetups, welcome week activities, and orientations designed to support incoming law students. Participate in as many as possible to make acquaintances and gain connections.
• Researching Student Organizations: Check your law school’s website and social media pages for student organizations that might interest you. Then, make plans to join the groups upon arrival at law school.
• Connect with Alumni: Reach out to alumni from your prospective law school if admissions or student relations advisors give you access to their contact information. Their experiences and advice can provide you with valuable guidance and mentorship.

6. Relax and Recharge

Finally, law school will be intense and demanding, so it’s essential to start with a refreshed mind and body. Even if you have to work the summer before, try to dedicate some time to:

• Travel: You won’t get much time to travel during law school, so take a trip to relax and gain new perspectives before it! You don’t have to travel internationally. Exploring a new city or state can be just as exciting!
• Engage in Hobbies: Participate in activities you love, whether it’s reading, hiking, cooking, crafting, painting, or any other passion. Take the time to unwind.
• Take Care of Yourself: Practice mindfulness, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet to ensure you’re in peak condition both mentally and physically.

Conclusion

Preparing for law school over the summer can set the state for a successful and less stressful first year. By planning your finances, familiarizing yourself with the curriculum, developing effective study habits, expanding your legal knowledge, making professional connections, and relaxing, you can enter law school with confidence and a solid foundation. Enjoy this time of preparation and transition! Your hard work now will pay off immensely in the months and years to come.