Whether you’re struggling with your studies, or you’re simply looking for some extra advice on how to thrive, here are 5 tips for succeeding at law school in 2022.
1. Choosing The Right Options
Many law degree programmes offer several options for students to choose from, which can prove to be both a blessing and a curse. If you’re unsure as to which topics are right for you, there are four key questions to consider:
- What are your career plans?
- What topics do you best enjoy studying?
- What are your weaknesses within your degree?
- And what are your strengths?
“Speak to students who have already taken the options you are interested in to get some first-hand feedback on the experience. You could also speak to the relevant course leaders and find out what they are looking for from students on their option,” recommends Emma Jones, lecturer in law and member of the Open Justice team at the Open University.
“Thinking carefully about what you are choosing and why is a great first step to achieving the best marks you possibly can in your chosen subjects.”
2. Prepare
There is no easier way to fail law school than regularly missing classes and/or turning up to class without a clue as to what’s going on. While doing the reading and prepping the night — or a few days — before might feel like a slog at the time, it’ll be well worth it in the end when it enables you to get the most out of your classes.
To come out with the best grades you possibly can, you should consider your university studies as a full-time job, with the average first-year law student studying for around 30 - 40 hours per week. Dedicating a reasonable proportion of these hours to prepping at the start of the week will make the rest of your study hours flow much more easily.
3. Networking
“Very few professional development concepts are as divisive as the subject of networking. Most of the lawyers – newly-qualified, as well as the veterans in the profession – agree that a well-developed network of contacts is vital for effective personal marketing,” says Alisa Grafton, Partner at Cheeswrights. And the same advice goes for law students.
Attempting to network while simultaneously completing a law degree may seem like a daunting prospect, but it’ll help you build up new acquaintances within the legal sector, discover new career opportunities, and build up the relationships that may just help you land your dream role right out of university. Furthermore, networking in law school can help you establish better connections with your fellow students, enabling you to form study groups and seek peer support if you ever find yourself in need.
4. Find A Revision Strategy That Works For You
Cramming revision in before an exam is no way to secure top grades — but neither is following a revision strategy that you don’t truly gel with.
“If you’re one to put hours into revising for an exam only to be disappointed with the results, then you may need to rethink your revision methods. You could be wasting time on inefficient techniques,” says Bradley Busch, a registered psychologist and director of InnerDrive. “You get people putting in lots of effort, but not in a directed way.”
While some people thrive in a study group, others are best revising alone. And some might find that a split between the two is the perfect strategy for them. Completing practice exam papers, reading over class notes, making flashcards, memorising facts by saying them out loud, and drawing up mind maps are all great revision techniques to test out. Trialling out these different revision strategies might take time, but finding the ones that work for you is a crucial step to getting the grades you deserve.
5. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
Admitting that you’re struggling can be really tricky, but it’s an important step to take as it enables you to seek out the support you need. Most law schools and universities have at least one professional academic support person who you can easily reach out to via email or by popping into their office. You can also reach out to your professors for support and advice.
“Your professors can be your biggest and best mentors, resources, and champions. The opportunities to learn from them extend far beyond the classroom too,” says New England Law.
Ask for further feedback on your past essay and exam performance. Ask for clarification on anything you don’t quite understand. Ask your peers for guidance — especially those who are currently achieving above you.
Final Line
Securing your desired grades at law school can feel like a monumental challenge but, with these 5 tips, it’s one you can easily live up to.
