In a few short weeks our most recent Illini applicants will begin their law school journey. We wish all Illini beginning their legal studies this fall good luck! We know that you will succeed and make immeasurable contributions to your new academic communities.
To help in preparing during these final days before the semester, we asked past Illini currently attending law school to share their reflections on their first year of law school and advice for new Illini joining law school across the country this fall. These reflections share helpful insights for all Illini planning for their future legal education. Thanks to all our alumni for taking the time to share their thoughts!
What was your greatest challenge during your first weeks of law school?
From all the Illini who shared reflections one common theme emerged, you will inevitably face challenges in acclimating to the unique academic work of law school. Whether learning “how to study” or “how to find the time”, law school will require new skills and adapting to succeed – but you are not alone, all students will face these challenges during their first weeks!
“My challenge was learning how to read and brief case law. Finding the holding and main points of reasoning is daunting when learning how to understand the so-called “legalese” judges are so attached to.” Madeleine Cummings, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
“Quite frankly, just figuring out the right way to “actively” read cases and trying to understand the important takeaways from each assignment. Like anything, it just took time to adjust…” Justin Montier, Loyola Marymount University – Loyola Law School – Los Angeles
“My greatest challenge was learning to manage time more efficiently. The first few weeks of law school are crazy with adapting to an all new way to think, read, and write. My number one piece of advice is to reach out to your peers and professors. Most, if not all, will be thrilled to help you adjust and share their tips.” Stella Green, Indiana University Maurer School of Law
“Getting used to the density of the reading! Law school requires you to be able to filter out relevant knowledge from extremely detailed, long readings in just a short amount of time. I overcame this by . . . unfortunately just doing it over and over until I figured out how to absorb the relevant information quickly. Half of the battle of law school is just learning how to do things efficiently.” Zarifah Shahid, USC Gould School of Law
“Running my own race. Everybody looks like they have it figured out. They don’t. Find some others who are also figuring it out and do the journey with them.” Haydn Lambert, University of Michigan Law School
If you could go back in time and do one thing better during your first semester courses – what would you do differently?
Surprisingly – almost all our alumni referenced one aspect of their first semester studies that they would have taken a different approach to – outlining! Outlining (or synthesizing your course information) as a means of study and final exam preparation will be a new skill necessary to learn during law school, and it will be a skill you learn “on the job”, read below for insights!
“Start your outlines (basically a master list of your notes/important topics from your class) early. Do not be discouraged if your study methods do not match up exactly with your classmates’– study in the way that helps you the most.” Toby Giganti, University of Kentucky College of Law
“During my first semester, I felt that I was hyper-focused on the facts of cases, rather than the big issues of each case. I believe this was largely in part of trying to prepare for cold calls. However, honing in on the main issues/rules of law of each case would have better prepared me for final exams.” Stella Green, Indiana University Maurer School of Law
“I would start outlining and preparing for the exam far earlier, rather than piecing together the separate parts of the course at the very end.” Kahlil Royster, University of Chicago Law School
“It is not particularly helpful, in my opinion, to start outlining and preparing for exams early on in the semester (or quarter). But, it is helpful to spend 10-20 minutes at the end of the week going over your notes for each class and summarizing or synthesizing them just to help you stay organized when you do begin outlining.” Kai Jaegar, University of Chicago Law School
“I would have started outlining sooner. I waited to outline until I got a good sense of my classes and what was important, but that also meant that I had a lot to catch up on during Thanksgiving break. I had to spend every day of Thanksgiving break going through my notes and outlining. I would suggest outlining from the beginning even though it may not be perfect because you don’t yet know what’s important. You can always go back and update your outline when you have a better sense of what is good information to keep and what can be deleted.” Alana Carter, University of Chicago Law School
“Always read the cases during 1L! Don’t become overly reliant on websites like Quimbee, your prof may have a totally different take on a case than they do.” Amanda Watson, Duke University School of Law
What is one tip for maintaining balance and managing stress in law school?
Law school asks much of you, finding a way to be successful in law school and a legal career is about more than your academic or professional knowledge…keep reading for insights on how to achieve this balance in law school.
“Always find time for yourself! With all the assignments, it can become difficult to carve out time for things you enjoy doing, but it is extremely important to find that time! Go out with friends, watch that movie, spend time with your family… do anything to get your mind off the stress of the week! If you don’t make time for yourself you will burn out.” Ashley Winters, Northern Illinois University College of Law
“Managing your priorities is a fine line, but I think it is important to set boundaries in your schedule for when you’ll work on law school stuff and when you’re going to relax. I tried my best to make it as close to a 9-5 as I could, cutting off doing work after 5 as often as I could and not taking my law school work home. I was able to avoid doing work on Saturday and tried to go out or do something with friends every weekend. That worked for me. I didn’t suffer academically nor did I feel suffocated by law school responsibilities. Everyone has their own preferences, though, so you have to figure out what suits your work style and capacity best – just don’t forget about yourself.” Kai Jaeger, University of Chicago Law School
“I take time to still do things I enjoy. If I have to do more work in the week to have my Saturday be free, then I am willing to do that. I also never sacrificed my sleep.” Madeleine Cummings, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
“Be intentional about continuing to pursue hobbies and maintain relationships with friends and family outside of law school. It will keep you sane to not think about school 24/7!” Amanda Watson, Duke University School of Law
What was the best thing about your first year of law school?
In times of challenge, don’t lose sight of all the good and positive that attending law school has to offer. Always remember what brought you to law school and how unique this journey is!
“The best thing about the first year of law school is all the new people you will meet. The workload is intense, but it is nice to be surrounded by people who are going through the same experience you are. You will be able to lean on these people for support the further you get in your law school career.” Ashley Winters, Northern Illinois University College of Law
“Definitely the friends I’ve made. Many aspects of attending law school have exceeded my expectations, but I think as is true for any kind of academic pursuit, finding a good group of classmates that you can become friends with is very important. Being able to spend my time in the library working with friends, even if in silence, makes studying and reading more enjoyable. Also having a group of people you like doing non-law school related activities with is fantastic.” Kai Jaeger, University of Chicago Law School
“Meeting all of the new people from my law school class. They all had such different backgrounds and perspectives– ask your classmates about their experiences in college, where they’re from, etc. You will learn a lot and the bonds will last through thick and thin.” Toby Giganti, University of Kentucky College of Law
“Meeting great people and watching my performance drastically improve by the end of the second semester!” Ariana Zaninotto, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
What is the most helpful piece of advice you received before starting law school?
“I think the best piece of advice I received was that no matter your background, where you went to undergrad, and what your major may have been, all your peers are in the same position as you. It’s okay to be scared, but knowing that everyone else is just as scared as you helps ease those 1L fears.” Madeleine Cummings, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
“Focus on what helps you personally learn and be successful, not on what other people are doing to reach those same goals.” Amanda Watson, Duke University School of Law
“The most helpful advice I received before starting law school was to put yourself out there. Find a club to get involved with or a faculty member willing to mentor you. The networking you do in law school is vital.” Ashley Winters, Northern Illinois University College of Law
You will hear dozens of different study methods (briefing, outlining, etc.). If these methods don’t work for you, don’t use them. Find what works for you. Test and figure out how you’re able to actually learn the material—everyone learns differently. Don’t study the way others do just because they say it works; if it doesn’t help you learn, you will be wasting your time. Marty DiMarco, Chicago-Kent School of Law
“Do the work. This seems super simple, but doing your work (reading, notes, etc) ON TIME will make your life so much easier. Make no mistake, if you do law school the right way it should not feel like you are drowning or struggling. If you are timely about your work and engage with the content and your professors, it will not feel like an uphill battle.” Toby Giganti, University of Kentucky College of Law
Your legal career is long. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Do your best at whatever challenge is before you in the moment and take good opportunities as they come. Honorable mention: be nice to people. One, because it’s the right thing to do. Two, I’m amazed by how many opportunities I’ve gotten just by being kind.
Haydn Lambert, University of Michigan Law School
