This post is all about how to survive your second year of law school!
Congratulations on completing your first year of law school! You should be extremely proud of yourself for making it through this far. Take some time to celebrate one of the hardest years in law school. You are one-third of the way done!
I found that my second year of law school was difficult in its own right, but I was more prepared to face the challenges. It took me the entire first year to really feel comfortable with the law school format.
As you embark on your second year, you may find yourself facing new challenges and higher expectations than your first year. The second year of law school is often known as the most challenging time in your legal education, where the workload intensifies and networking opportunities increase due to the pressure to secure internships or clerkships.
To help you navigate through this crucial year, here are some tips and strategies for surviving your second year of law school.
Reflect on Your First Year
Before starting your second year, take a moment to reflect on your first-year. What worked for you and what didn’t? Were there any study habits that you found particularly effective or ineffective? In each area of your law school life, identify your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Once you self-reflect, take some time to set goals and develop a reasonable action plan for the next year.
Looking back on my first year, I had many things that I did well and many that just didn’t. I was able to focus on my school work and maintain my health pretty well. I got proper sleep, limited my coffee intake, and maintained a gym schedule. Yet, I still felt like I had many weaknesses that held me back. No matter how many hours I sacrificed, my grades weren’t what I wanted them to be. Most of this involved trial and error, but I had to find out why things weren’t going as well as I had planned.
Schedule Your Days to the Hour
Effective time management becomes even more crucial in the second year. I found that the second year of law school wasn’t actually harder academically. I found that I had already overcome the massive first year learning curve and learned how law school works. But, your second year demands more out of your time because you begin working internships and getting more involved. Personally, I started an internship in November of my second year and participated on law review the entire year.
These extra demands put a strain on your schedule, making the second year feel really busy and difficult. However, it doesn’t have to feel this way! The best thing you can do for your second year of law school is to tighten up your schedule. Plan your days to the hour if you need to. Planning everything out helps immensely because it makes your busy schedule more digestible. I planned out my school and work schedule and printed it so I could post it on my wall. Then, I used my planner to prioritize tasks, set realistic deadlines, and allocate time for studying and health needs.
Maintaining an organized approach to your coursework and extracurricular commitments will alleviate stress and improve your overall productivity. I actually found that this busy schedule made me feel less stressed and improved my overall law school experience because I was overly organized. An organized life will save you time and prevent unnecessary panic in your everyday life and as deadlines approach.
Refine Your Study Habits
By now, you should have a better understanding of which study techniques work best for you and which don’t work. Build upon your first-year experiences and fine-tune your study strategies. If you haven’t found a good strategy by now (which is definitely okay!), experiment with different methods until you find the approach that works best for you. It’s not too late to improve your study habits, methods, and your grades. If anything, my best grades were my second semester of my second year because I FINALLY found out what worked best for me.
For more on studying in law school, see this post!
Build Your Resume
Law school and the legal profession are notoriously competitive. You are going to be a great asset to any law office or workplace after graduation, but you first need to show them that. Show future employers that they won’t regret hiring you by stacking that resume! Trust me, you can still get a legal job with average grades. Getting involved, networking, and gaining work and volunteer experience will help you nail that first job out of law school.
Get Involved
There are so many ways to get involved during your second year of law school! Participate in moot court competitions, law reviews or journals, or join clubs that align with your interests. These extracurricular experiences can help you practice your legal skills, develop your personal network, and distinguish yourself from other students. Embracing these opportunities will boost your resume, enhance your professional development, and make your legal education even more rewarding.
I did not participate at all during my first year of law school because I was solely focused on my grades. However, I knew law review was one thing that I promised myself to do during law school. I successfully wrote on the summer between my first and second years, and it has helped boost my resume immensely.
Network
Having a supportive network can help you in your future career as a lawyer. The one thing I regret from my first two years of law school is building a bigger network. I was nervous, too focused on grades, and closed myself off from my peers. I learned the hard way that law school is actually the EASIEST place to build a professional network and lifelong friends.
Networking is hard in theory, yet actually very easy in practice. Socialize and let the networking flow naturally. Connect with your professors and classmates, go to law school events, introduce yourself to alumni, and ask local legal professionals questions about their specialties. It doesn’t have to be scary. Take it one step at a time! Building a network in the legal community can provide you with advice, internship opportunities, and potential career paths.
Gain Work Experience
Your law school years are a great opportunity to gain legal experience without the stress of actually being an attorney. Even better, you can get paid for it! Put yourself out there, apply for as many jobs as you can, and show those employers how great you are.
You should also make the most of your law school’s career services office. These are professionals that will assist you with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, and internship or job search strategies. Attend career workshops and mock interview sessions to enhance your professional skills. Career services can provide valuable guidance and connect you with alumni or employers who are actively recruiting. Get that job!
For more, check out this post on my best tips for success during a legal internship.
Explore Your Interests
The beautiful thing about the law is that there is a niche for everyone. There are so many areas of the law to discover and explore.
As you progress in your legal education, take some time to explore the various areas of law to identify your passions and interests. If anything, you need to learn about what options are available for you when you graduate.
Attend seminars, workshops, and guest lectures on different legal specialties. Reach out to attorneys that work in areas you’re interested in with and treat them to coffee. Engage in pro bono or volunteer work to gain practical experience and exposure to diverse legal fields. There are so many ways to explore your interests in the law.
Keep Up With Your Health and Wellbeing
Law school can be demanding, but trust me, it’s crucial to prioritize your mental and physical well-being. The habits you form now during law school will stay with you in your future career. Take breaks, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and engage in activities that rejuvenate you. Find healthy outlets for stress. Remember, a healthy mind and body are essential for success in law school and beyond.
Maintain a Regular Workout Routine
I was able to maintain a decent workout routine during my first year, and a really great routine during my second year. Fitness was really important to me because it helps with stress and is a healthy distraction. I found that daily walks and three to four 30-45 min gym sessions a week worked for me. Find things that get you moving and you enjoy!
For more, see my post “How to Keep a Regular Workout Routine During law School.”
Eat Well
Law school is exhausting. You have to feed your brain! I have learned that healthy food means a healthy brain. Find a few meals that you enjoy and are quick to make. Master them and put them on repeat! Law school is expensive, but cooking your own meals can also help you stick to a strict budget.
I love meal prepping because it is a convenient and affordable way to eat well during law school or with any busy schedule.
For more on meal prepping, see this post!
Sleep is Always Important
During undergrad, I would sleep 4-6 hours every night. I told myself that during law school I would change these habits. Now, I sleep 7-8 hours every night, no matter what deadlines or exams I face the next day. Sleep is SO important, and you should never sacrifice it, even in your future career.
Relax a Little Each Day
You need to decompress after a long day filled with studying and other school-related work or activities, which will likely be everyday. I made it a habit to end each day a little early to cook a decent meal and do something stress-relieving. When each day is busy, you need to carve out a bit of time to decompress so you can survive your second year of law school!
For more on relaxing and enjoying your life during law school, see this post!
In Conclusion…
Surviving your second year of law school requires hard work, planning, and diligence. By implementing effective time management, refining study techniques, seeking mentorship, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, you can thrive academically and personally during this notoriously difficult year. Embrace the challenges, stay focused, and remember that your second year is just another stepping stone toward a successful legal career. You’ve got this!
