Things To Do When You Start Law School, Part Two
Your first weeks of law school are arguably the most important since the way you perform in your first semester may set the tone for the way you perform for the duration of your law school career. Surviving the first weeks of law school will get you over the proverbial hump, and a big one at that. Here are some more things you should consider doing when you start your law school classes.
*Develop good habits.
You have two choices in law school: You can survive, or you can thrive. Sure, survival means that you made it and that you earned your law degree. But thriving means you went to new places and gained more career opportunities. Developing good habits and routines will accomplish a lot. Work with structure. Establish a routine that works for you. Perhaps you study better during the middle of the day. Stick to your routine and always remain diligent and disciplined. “Going with the flow” will always leave you one step behind.
*Do not yet sign up for a bar course.
The bar exam is three years away and you may have yet to read and brief your first case. So how will you know which bar review course is best for you? You will have more than a few opportunities to consider this during your illustrious law school career.
*Compile contact details for every job you’ve ever had and every place you’ve ever lived as an adult.
You will likely need this information when you submit your application to the California Bar or any other state bar. Do this for every job that you have worked and every address where you have lived since you were 18 years of age. If you cannot remember all these past employers and addresses, obtain a copy of your credit report.
*Plan on regular meetings with your professors.
Your professors are available specifically to help you. Do not be afraid of them and end up wasting a valuable opportunity. Get to know them and how they can help you gain a better and broader understanding of their course’s subject matter. Their office hours will be posted which allows you to plan your meetings with them each week or month, depending on how frequent you believe such meetings are necessary.
*Discover and learn about every resource that your law school offers.
You must make efficient, effective use of every law school resource to help you succeed in law school. In the digital age, many law schools offer a vast number of resources that are just a click away. CDTA’s online resources are available to any student with a computer that has modern capabilities. The CDTA Student Portal is available 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. The CDTA uses Zoom Video Conferencing technology, which allows students to stream classes online at the student’s convenience. This is just one example of how the CDTA utilizes modern technology to help students become effective attorney-advocates.
The path to becoming an effective attorney-advocate leads to the California Desert Trial Academy. The distance learning program offered by the California Desert Trial Academy College of Law is tailor-made to meet the needs and demands of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Call us today at (760) 342-0900 or find out more online here.