Monica Sandu ‘24
Co-Executive Editor
Welcome, Class of 2025! Orientation may be over, but your law career has just begun. Law school isn’t easy, so here are ten tips for making the most of your first year:[1]
1. Don’t struggle alone
There will be classes where you have no idea what’s going on. There will be periods of frustration and doubt. And that’s okay. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you need help. Go to your professors’ office hours, work with your classmates and peer advisors, and reach out to Student Affairs. I cannot overstate the importance of a good support system. We are all here for you, and we want you to succeed.
2. Keep an eye out for free food
I once went two weeks almost exclusively eating free food from the Law School. In addition to the glorious Snack Student Affairs Office, many events, from student organization meetings to invited speakers, also offer free food to attendees.[2] Check out the Law Weekly’s docket of events. “Food provided” is your best friend. Be sure to RSVP if the event requires it!
3. Get involved
With over seventy different student organizations, there’s something for everyone! Organizations are a great way to get to meet people outside of your section, explore practice areas you’re interested in, help out the community, or just take a break from the intensity of your first year. Who knows? You might just find you have a burning passion for hard-hitting journalism and decide to join a certain highly acclaimed student newspaper…
4. Color code
While this may not work for everyone, my strategy for cold calls is to color-code key sections in my casebook.[3] This gives me a visual cue for where to look if I need to reference my book, rather than flipping through big blocks of text. Play around with different strategies to see what’s most effective for you.
5. Understand the “why”
Continuing the theme of cold calls, you won’t be able to memorize every single detail of every case you read. Concentrate on what the key issue was, how the case was resolved, and why it was resolved that way. Understanding cases is a learning process. See if you can identify the reasoning used. If the reasoning doesn’t make sense to you, ask yourself why it doesn’t make sense. If the outcome contradicts a case you read previously, try to figure out what differences, if any, made this particular case turn out the way it did.
6. See Charlottesville
Though it may not always feel like it, there’s more to Charlottesville than North Grounds. Spend time outside in the fresh air, try out new restaurants, go to a winery with friends, and have fun exploring the city! Breaking the cycle of school to home to school will help you get some much-needed rest in your free time.
7. Plan
The first year throws a lot of information your way. To avoid feeling overwhelmed or getting surprised by a deadline, make a list of what you want to get done over a certain period of time. This can be daily, weekly, or even monthly. Know what you have to do and when you’re going to make time to do it. Afterwards, you get the satisfaction of checking an item off of your to-do list!
8. Be flexible
New events and opportunities arise all the time, as do unforeseen challenges.[4] Be prepared to not have everything work out exactly as intended. You may find yourself needing to change your study style. You may have to rearrange your schedule in order to spend time with your friends from undergrad who decided to drop by for the weekend. Embrace the ups and downs. In fact, the best plans acknowledge that plans will sometimes have to change.
9. Be kind to yourself
Your wellbeing is the most important thing. Take care of yourself, and make sure that you’re eating well, getting enough sleep, and maintaining your hobbies. To use a cliché, “it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
10. Read the Law Weekly
This is non-negotiable. Ten out of ten of UVA Law students recommend reading the Law Weekly to ensure academic and personal success.[5]
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ms7mn@virginia.edu
[1] This article is opinion only and does not constitute a promise of success. Neither the author nor the Virginia Law Weekly is liable for any outcomes that may or may not arise as a result of following this advice.
[2] Including the Law Weekly—contact us for more details on how you can eat free pizza every week.
[3] For example, I highlight the question in pink, key facts in green, reasoning in orange, and the holding in yellow.
[4] Make sure to read your email regularly! Everything from social events to career services information comes by email.
[5] Source: the Virginia Law Weekly