How to Enjoy Law School When You Are Broke

It is difficult to enjoy law school when you are broke and stressed out! It can be a lot sometimes, but you can surely enjoy law school when you are broke. With a positive mindset, some creativity, and strategic planning, you can make the most of your three (or two or more) years in law school. You will never get these three (or so) years back!

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Take Advantage of Law School Clubs: Socializing, Activities, and Free Food

Law school clubs can be more than just for education: they are a chance to interact with the law school community in fun and engaging ways. Many clubs love to bribe you with food. Win. Many clubs have activities where you can have fun and socialize after hours. Win. Make the most of law school and enjoy your peers! You will be glad you did.

Explore Your Local City For Free

Every city has loads of free things to take advantage of. When you are broke, it is hard to have fun. But, when you search out all of the free activities in your community, you will open up your eyes to so much more. Take advantage of free concerts, community events, farmer’s markets (samples!), parks, hiking trails, and even free school-sponsored events. Law school is a marathon, not a sprint. You deserve to enjoy yourself once in a while.

If you are able to, one of the most accessible and cost efficient modes of transportation is walking! Sometimes a good walk around your local community can open up doors to new and exciting adventures. And, it is great exercise, too.

Exercise, If You Like It

I am a firm believer that everyone has at least one form of exercise they can enjoy. Whether that is going to the gym, swimming, dancing, walking, kick-boxing, You-Tube videos, or playing on some type of sports league, there is something for everyone. I am a BIG proponent for overall health and wellness during law school. As someone who neglected her health during Undergrad years, I can say it makes a HUGE difference. Exercise will get your mind off of school, reduce your stress levels, and boost your mood! Find something that you can enjoy. Moving your body is usually free!

‘Shop’ at a Local Food Pantry

One of the biggest stressors (and in life) in law school is money. Many times, food pantries have more than enough food to give away. As a student, you are likely broke. Make the most of your spending money by taking advantage of the low cost or free resources in your community. My law school has a food pantry for students. It has been one of the simplest, yet most life changing, opportunities in my life! Don’t forget to prioritize the healthier foods, however! My grocery bills have gone down, and so have my stress levels. This leaves more room in your budget to do things you might not otherwise do.

Limit Your Other Purchases 

In general, a budget is a really great way to make sure that you are able to allocate your money to all of your preferred places. For example, if you spend all of your money on new, expensive books at the beginning of the semester, you likely won’t have as much money to spend on things you enjoy, such as the occasional night out or other activities on the weekend. This example brings up one of my favorite tips for saving money in law school, especially when you are broke: ONLY buy or rent USED books! Buying or renting used books, from places like BooksRun, will help keep your semester bills down. New books are usually SO expensive. Make sure to find the best deal, especially when renting, because trust me, you likely won’t be needing that nice, new book in the future. I usually find the best deals on BooksRun! 

Work at the Law Library

If you are in your second or third year, chances are you have a little more time to take on a job. The best option, in my opinion, is to work at the law library! No, it may not be the most enjoyable in itself, but here’s the catch: most the time, you get paid to sit and study. And, what does that mean? You get paid, get your work done, AND you have more spending money! Triple win in my book! Make the most out of the opportunities around you. These opportunities will lead you to more enjoyment in law school in the long run!

Take out a Private Student Loan

I only recommend this to those who are in a better place to do so. If you are swimming in debt already, this may not be the option for you, but if you have minimal debt from school, taking out a private student loan may give you more freedom to enjoy law school, stay sane, and enjoy the things your city has to offer on your less busy days. Of course, do so responsibly, and only if you know you will be able to pay it back. Also, you do not have to take out much. This may not be the best option, but it is definitely an option worth considering!

Manage Your Time Better

Time management can make your life worse or it can make your life better. YOU have the chance to make that decision for yourself. It is HARD. Trust me. But, when you manage your time more effectively, you will be less stressed and have more time to breath and enjoy life. From there, you can choose how you spend that time. This will help you enjoy law school when you are broke AND when you are financially more stable. Without time to do so, you can’t enjoy anything!

Enjoy Your Studies

During law school, most of your time is spent with your nose in a book. So, why not enjoy that time, too? You do not have to hate it. Find a connection to your studies in some way. Ask questions. Engage in class discussions. Take classes you are actually interested in! You have the choice each day to decide whether you will enjoy it or not. You chose to be here, so you obviously want to be here for some reason or another. Not everything will be fun, but you can find the enjoyment in anything.

Find Friends In the Same Boat

When you have a community of people in the same boat as you, both in law school and in finances, you will have a chance to bond with people who are facing the same struggles. You won’t feel so alone, and you will be able to branch out to other activities or opportunities in and out of law school. Sometimes, having good company around you can force you to make the most of your three years in law school.