Going to office hours can feel intimidating at first because you may not know the “right” things to ask. You might even think it’s enough just to show up. While it’s always good to go, office hours are most effective when you come prepared, almost like class. You don’t have to worry about getting cold-called, but you should come ready to articulate your questions and concerns to your professors or ASFs.

Instead of walking in and saying, “I don’t understand Civil Procedure,” try something more specific, like:
“When drafting a complaint under Rule 8, how do I know when I’ve provided enough factual detail for it to be ‘plausible’ under Twombly and Iqbal, versus too conclusory?”

That may not be your exact question, but the idea is to communicate clearly what part of the material is tripping you up. Not only will this clear up confusion in the moment, but it will also help you build a critical lawyering skill: identifying issues precisely. A big part of what lawyers do is spot issues and analyze them in the gray areas. The same goes for briefing cases and writing exams. If you can learn to pinpoint exactly what you don’t understand in class, you’ve already fought half the battle.

Don’t go in empty-handed. Bring notes, questions, or even a rough outline you can reference. Having something concrete to show or explain helps guide the conversation. Remember, your professors aren’t just teaching statutes and doctrines, they’re also teaching you how to explain complex legal issues in simple, clear terms. That skill will serve you in every area of practice.

Most importantly, remember to breathe and keep an open mind. Office hours are about learning, not performing. If the workload ever feels overwhelming and you start to think you “know nothing,” pause, revisit your notes, and break the material down step by step. Law school is about practice, not perfection, and your professors and ASFs are there to help you along the way.

As a rising 2L at Widener Commonwealth Law School, I’m spending my summer diving headfirst into practical legal experience, and I couldn’t be more excited about what I’ve already learned. I recently started an internship with DWGM Law Firm, a general practice located near my hometown. Being back in a familiar community while applying what I’ve learned in the classroom has been both rewarding and eye-opening.

DWGM Law handles a wide range of legal matters, which has given me the chance to explore various areas of the law. From the start, I was entrusted with meaningful work that has already sharpened my skills in ways that I know will benefit me throughout my legal career.

Admittedly, the experience can be intimidating. Working alongside attorneys who have graduated from law school, passed the bar, and many of them have been practicing for decades can be overwhelming at times. Impostor syndrome can easily creep in, especially when I compare my limited experience to the seasoned professionals around me. But I remind myself that it’s completely normal to feel this way. The only way to grow is to trust in what I’ve learned so far, do my best, and stay open to every new learning opportunity that comes my way.

One of the biggest areas of growth for me has been in legal research. Every memo I draft pushes me to dig deeper, think critically, and communicate more clearly. I’ve written numerous legal memos addressing a variety of legal questions, and each one has taught me how to analyze the law more effectively and tailor my findings to a practical legal setting. I’ve even referenced some cases that I studied during my 1L year while conducting research, which has made me appreciate just how relevant and valuable that foundational coursework has been.

In particular, my Legal Methods class has been incredibly important in navigating this internship. That course gave me a strong foundation in legal writing and citation, skills I use every day in the memos I submit to the attorneys at the firm. We even completed a library research project in that class, which mirrors the kind of in-depth legal research I now conduct regularly at the firm. It’s been empowering to see how directly my first-year education translates to real-world legal work.

In addition to research, I’ve had the opportunity to draft petitions and even prepare power of attorney documents—experiences that have exposed me to the kind of real-world legal writing and client considerations that can’t be fully captured in casebooks. These hands-on assignments have made this internship an incredibly valuable learning experience.

I’m grateful to the attorneys and staff at DWGM Law Firm for welcoming me and allowing me to take on meaningful work so early in my legal journey. And I appreciate all the valuable education my professors have taught me thus far, and just how useful it can be. I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and contributing throughout the rest of the summer.