There always come a point during the semester where I find myself in this endless cycle of reading, briefing, class, and retaining; where I have found myself stuck in a pattern that causes me to feel so burnout. During my first year in law school, I continued to stay in this pattern because it is how I believed law school was supposed to operate, but that surely is not the case. I have learned that it is so important to step out of the pattern that is law school and take a break. Whether that be planning a trip with friends, going home to see family, or just hanging out at home watching TV, those breaks can be extremely efficient in resetting your mind to come back stronger when it is time to pick back up again. The breaks you choose to take can also be smaller, maybe going to the gym or for a walk, calling up a friend, or taking a one-hour lunch instead of thirty minutes; it is important that these moments away from school are not neglected. I know that it is easy to say, “but I don’t have time for these things,” trust me, there is time. Taking a few hours to clear your head, will make the next few hours that you spend studying more beneficial than had you continued to study for four hours straight, as long as you stay disciplined and organized. As Ralph Manston says, “rest when you’re weary, and renew yourself, your body, your mind, and your spirit. Then get back to work.” 

When it comes to law school, the biggest adjustment isn’t always the course load. It’s usually pretty clear that the workload will be far greater than what you were used to in undergrad. However, one key aspect people often overlook is the mindset shift that’s needed to keep up with this level of work. It’s not just about study habits but also about reshaping your work habits, social life, and even your approach to success and failure.
While it may seem obvious that all these adjustments are necessary, they’re often not at the forefront of students’ minds as they begin their journey. For instance, you have to be prepared to hear “no” more often and—most importantly—learn to be comfortable with being wrong. Accepting when you’re mistaken is crucial to growth; after all, real learning starts when you’re willing to challenge your own assumptions and recognize where you can improve.
Lean into your support system and talk things through with them. I’ve found it especially helpful to share my school-related concerns with people outside of law school, as they provide a fresh perspective and are removed from the daily pressures. At the same time, remember that your law school peers can become an equally vital support system—no one understands the unique challenges of law school quite like they do. While this might seem contradictory, I’ve found it invaluable to have both perspectives during my journey.

You might have heard from your peers, professors or friends: Your performance in your first year of law school is crucial. And how well you do on your exams is dependent on your preparation. While studying for exams can be a stressful time, it’s important to remember that every person’s brain works differently. The tactic that works for your classmate might not work for you. Here are a few tips that I have found helpful over the last 2 years:

1. REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW. Just because you don’t have an exam until the end of the semester does not mean that you should wait until the reading period to begin your review. Law school is vastly different from undergraduate school and cramming just won’t work. Make time for frequent review over the course of the semester.
2. ATTEND REVIEW SESSIONS. Some professors and/or Academic Success Fellows hold review sessions prior to exams. This is a great way to clarify issues and clear up any confusing concepts. Moreover, helpful tips regarding how to write your exam answers in a way that will earn you the most points are often shared during review sessions.
3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FEEDBACK FROM YOUR PROFESSORS. If your professor distributes a practice question and says that he/she will review your answer if you submit it by a certain time, DO IT! This is a great opportunity to get your professor’s input and make any necessary adjustments before your performance is graded.
4. CREATE A STUDY PLAN. Many students complain that they do not have enough time to brief cases, prepare outlines and/or take practice exams. They’re wrong! By planning your time in advance, you will have enough time to meet all of the demands of law school and have time to enjoy some outside activities.
5. REVIEW YOUR EXAMS. Meet with your professors to review your exams after grades have been posted. This is the best way to determine what you did well and what you need to improve.
6. DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE COMPETITION ASPECT OF LAW SCHOOL. Only one student can finish at the top of the class. So instead of setting #1 as your goal, focus on doing your very best. Also, be supportive of and respectful to your classmates. It will make for a more positive law school experience for you and your peers.

To graduate, students must receive substantial professional skills instruction by completing at least six experiential learning credits. At least two credits must be satisfied by enrolling in a clinic, externship, or practicum. I enrolled at the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic as a Certified Legal Intern this semester and have already gained practical experience that I can take with me after law school.  

The Central Pennsylvania Civil Law Clinic is affiliated with Widener Commonwealth Law School. It handles various areas of civil law, including family, elder, and landlord-tenant. The law clinic is a fully functioning law office that provides legal assistance to elderly and indigent clients. At the clinic, students work on real cases under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Through this experience, students gain practical legal skills such as interviewing and counseling clients, conducting legal research, and working under court deadlines.  

During my internship at the clinic, I interviewed clients, drafted estate planning documents, and prepared cases that were scheduled for trial. The clinic exposes students to diverse legal issues, which can help them decide what areas of law they are interested in and wish to pursue after law school. Working at the clinic is a great experience for any law student, especially students without legal experience. It’s a great opportunity to work and develop relationships with clients and experience the real day-to-day operations of a law office.  

Most importantly, working at the clinic has broadened my perspective. I have realized how important it is for individuals to have legal assistance. Many clients face life-altering legal struggles related to housing, income, and family. By interning at the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic, you can make a genuine difference in the life of an individual or a family. 

I remember sitting at orientation before the start of my 1L and an I-R-A-C being presented to me for the first time. It was then that I had the realization that the writing style that I’ve been trained to perfect my whole life was not what I would be using in law school. Obviously, when we have been writing following the rules of MLA, APA, or Chicago (I know there is probably so many more, too) our whole lives, it is scary to realize that the world of IRAC’s and Bluebook exists. But luckily, the tools that the Legal Methods program at Widener Commonwealth gives us help the transition to becoming a strong legal writer be much smoother. 

In Legal Methods I and II, you will learn how to write both objectively, like a judge and subjectively, like an attorney. You learn how to apply statutes and case law to factual scenarios to answer the issues of cases. And while doing so, you will learn how to write it in such a way that is simply different than what most of us have ever had to do.  

I am an ASF for Legal Methods, and the two questions I get asked the most are “am I writing too much” and “am I actually going to have to use the bluebook after this class is over?”. As to the first question, the answer is usually yes. We are trained in K-12 and college to write as much as we can to prove our points and write with a lot of extra “fluff”. Legal Methods retrains our brains to only put in the pertinent information and to not overdo it. It is often tricky for us to understand that it is okay for our writing to not ramble and use confusing big words, and instead follow a CREAC. I often tell the students that legal writing is like doing a puzzle. By understanding each section that must go into our legal writing, the next step is just finding the correct information to plug in!  

As to the second question, yes, you will likely always need to have a Bluebook handy. Now that I am a 3L, I have interned and externed in three very different types/areas of law. When I externed for a judge, I would draft Opinions in the way we learned how to do so in Legal Methods. I would use my bluebook to cite the relevant cases and the facts of the case. When I worked at private firms, the story was the same. When drafting briefs and memos, it was definitely important to have the tools of the bluebook at my fingertips.  

So, moral of the story, your Legal Methods I & II courses that you will take as a 1L will serve you not only through the 9 months you are in the class, but for the rest of your legal education (and career!) While it might feel new and scary at first, taking seriously the skills you can learn in this class will make the rest of what you will do not feel as scary.  

As you begin law school, the thought of summer jobs and externships will quickly enter the forefront of your mind. While Widener offers an array of opportunities for any area of law one may be interested in, I would encourage any student to seek a position working for a judge at some point during his or her time in law school. No matter the practice area you choose to go into, the experience will prove invaluable to your education. Take advantage of these opportunities as they arise!

This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern for a federal district court judge. It was a wonderful, robust learning experience with a fantastic group of people. Here are three positive takeaways I noted that you can expect from a similar internship. 

1. Extensive practice to refine your research and legal writing skills:
   • Your Legal Methods classes will certainly pay off! Throughout this position, you will likely be working closely with the judge’s law clerks – assisting them with research assignments on specific legal issues, editing documents, and drafting memoranda or opinions. Writing is one of the most important skills an effective attorney can have. This all comes with practice! The more experience you have with this type of research and writing, the more you will begin to develop a skill set that will assist you your entire career. 
2. Learning through observation
   • The chance to sit in on different court proceedings, sentencings, and trials will provide you with examples of successful advocacy in practice and expose you to different areas of law. 
3. Networking opportunities with fellow students and well-respected professionals:
   • Working alongside other students can add a lot to your experience. Look at this as an opportunity to create new friendships with potential future colleagues and to learn from one another! Additionally, working alongside judges, law clerks, staff, and attorneys provide an invaluable experience. There is so much to learn from these individuals, and they welcome students with open arms!

As I am completing my first month of my last year of law school, I have caught myself reflecting on what it felt like as a first year in the first month of law school. The first days, weeks, and even months of 1L can feel like a blur. You are trying to adjust to a different way of learning, thinking and writing. You are trying to make friends but also put your all into all of your schoolwork. You are trying to be the top of your class and thinking about the internships and jobs that you want to secure. And honestly, half of your time is spent hoping you don’t get cold called. While I think about all of those feelings that all of us having during the first month of our first year of law school, I now feel so far away from it as a 3L, so take that as a hopeful reminder that the stress of being a 1L fades, and your three years of law school will fly by.

Here is my survival guide to get through 1L:

1. Go to office hours! For both the Professors and ASF’s.
2. Foster connections, your classmates will soon be your colleagues.
3. Make some time for yourself every week.
4. After you are settled in to being a 1L, get involved and meet people with the same interests as you.
5. Go to events and network!
6. Do not be afraid to talk to the 2Ls and 3Ls!
7. Explain to your loved ones that you may not have as much time to spend with them during law school.
8. Do YOUR best, do not worry about how everyone else is doing.
9. Most of all, take advantage of your 1L year and all of the opportunities, because soon you will be a 3L thinking about graduating and it’s a great feeling to know you took advantage of all that Widener has to offer.