What To Do The Summer Before Law School

As the summer slowly draws to an end, what should you do to prepare for your first year of law school? Our founder, Shawn O'Connor (Harvard JD) shared some of his tips and to-dos for those entering their 1L year. 

Prepare: Take Stratus Prep's law school preparation course

• You can still register for the last section of Stratus Prep's Law School Bootcamp, starting this Sunday, July 24. The one week course will teach you real inside tips from law school graduates on how to excel in law school while maintaining a social life. You'll learn exam, outlining, and study strategies. 
• Over 75% of Stratus Prep Bootcampers end up in the top 25% of their 1L class. 

Read: One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School

•  One L, by Scott Turow, chronicles the experience of a Harvard Law School student during his 1L year. While the book describes a traditional, more dated law school experience, reading the book will help calm your nerves and give a glimpse into law school. 

Shawn shares: “Not only is One L a great read, the book will make you feel better, because ultimately you know your law school experience will be vastly different from the one described in these pages.”

Watch: The Paper Chase

• The movie is about the first year at Harvard Law School, back when Harvard was solely focused on the socratic method. You'll find yourself comforted that you won't experience as many hardships as the main character does in this movie.

"I watched this movie the night before my first day of law school," recalls Shawn.      

Assess: Your relationships 

• You don't want anything distracting you and affecting your concentration during your 1L year. So assess any relationships before you leave for law school. If you think your relationship is not going to make it through the trials and tribulations of law school, you may want to re-evaluate. 

"The last thing you want is a really emotional break-up during your 1L year. The first year of law school is very demanding and stressful, so you might not want to remain in a relationship that might affect your performance in law school." 

• If you are in a strong relationship, warn your partner of the challenges that lie ahead. Law school can be unpredictable in a number of ways, but having a partner to support you through it will help you succeed.

Find:  Friends who are not in law school

•  If you're attending law school far away from where you're from, move there a few weeks early. Give yourself plenty of time to get to know the area - find your favorite restaurant, late night diner, grocery store, etc. Get out and meet new people and expand your social circle beyond the friends you will make in law school.   

Shawn shares: “I moved to Boston in the beginning of August to give myself ample time to meet new people. I asked friends to connect me to their friends who lived in the area. This helped expand my social circle beyond the law school bubble. These friends of friends eventually turned into close confidants and ultimately kept me grounded during my law school experience.”

Relax:  Read, travel, or take up a new hobby in the month before law school begins. 

• While prepartion is essential, you want to make sure you are getting the most out of your last few weeks of freedom. Take time for yourself and try new activities you might not have time for when you begin school. 

"Take advantage of the free time you will have before law school. I took time to enjoy myself, so I could enter refreshed and ready to work," stated Shawn.