Brooke Boyer '26
Staff Editor
It’s strange to think that just a little over two months ago, I had not even set foot inside a law school class, briefed a case, or heard of “outlining.” Fast forward two months, however, I’ve read and briefed tons of cases, attended networking events, and started to contemplate summer internships. Final exams are quickly approaching, and the outlining process has begun. As we pass the mid-semester mark, I’ve had the time to reflect on some of the key things I have learned as a 1L here at UVA Law.
1. Law school is hard!
This one may seem a bit obvious, but law school is hard. I learned very quickly that I may have initially underestimated how challenging law school really is. On top of reading hundreds of cases and taking notes, we juggle our involvement in student organizations, the search for summer jobs, our social lives, and the tasks of everyday life. Sometimes twenty-four hours in a day just doesn’t seem like enough time to get everything done. Even though it can feel a bit overwhelming and difficult to keep up, the busy nature of 1L year has motivated me to develop a more consistent routine and find balance amid the chaos. Specifically, I’ve learned how important it is to prioritize taking time for myself, even if it’s as simple as going to bed early or getting a matcha latte at Starbucks.
2. Cold calls aren’t *THAT* scary
Long before even deciding that I wanted to go to law school, I distinctly remember watching the first episode of How to Get Away with Murder and feeling Wesley’s fear as Professor Keating intimidatingly pressed him on the meaning of “mens rea.” As Wesley desperately searched his criminal law casebook for the answer, Professor Keating chastised him for his lack of preparedness, and his peers laughed at him. That scene was what I envisioned law school to be like until I actually became a law student.
After being cold called several times and seeing others get cold called, though, I learned that the televised portrayals of what law school is like are far from accurate. In reality, no one really cares if you bomb a cold call or volunteer the wrong answer in class. No one will laugh at you and the professor will probably just move on to the next student. Even though I have undeniably felt embarrassed in the moment after not giving the greatest answer on a cold call, I’ve learned that others will forget about the incident in minutes, and I eventually will as well.
3. You WILL start thinking like a lawyer—inside and (weirdly) outside of the classroom
When talking to those in the legal profession, I have been told time and time again that law school classes are meant to make students “think like lawyers.” Little did I know that this new way of thinking would not only happen in class, but extend far outside of the classroom as well. I find myself unironically making law-related jokes while out at Bar Review, thinking bitterly about the times I potentially could have sued, and hesitating to immediately click the box accepting the terms and conditions on a website. While the neurological side effects of law school are certainly strange, I take it as a good sign that I’m learning a lot and processing that information.
4. Having a solid support system makes all the difference
To reiterate the point stated in Takeaway #1, law school is HARD. As a result of these challenges, I’ve learned how important it is to maintain the important relationships in my life and have a solid support system of family, friends, and classmates to rely on. Whether its asking classmates in my section for help when I feel confused after a lecture (shoutout Section E), FaceTiming my parents to talk about completely non-law-related topics, or chatting with my roommate about our days, having people to count on and talk to when things get stressful has made navigating law school a lot less scary and lonely.
5. Law school is fun!
Even though law school is hard (see Takeaway #1), I’ve also learned that it’s a lot of fun—especially at UVA. Although there is a lot of work to be done each week, it is an amazing opportunity to be surrounded by so many driven individuals, learn from exceptional professors each day, and be a part of student organizations I am passionate about. There are also so many fun events both on campus and around Charlottesville. Whether it’s going to Carter Mountain for the Thursday Sunset Series, cheering for my sectionmates at softball games, hanging out in Spies between classes, or dressing up for Halloween, there is little time left over to be bored.
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ews6tm@virginia.edu