法学院制胜十招

法学院制胜十招

http://www.gter.net 2002-11-15 8:28:03 princeton review 作者:David Adam Hollander

10 Tips from a Law School Grad, or "How I Made it Through"

"Marriage. It ain't nothin' anybody can tell you about 'til you get there."
a wise Texas gentleman

Law school, like marriage, often left me perplexed, frustrated, and
desperate for guidance. Although attending law school is unique for each
person, the experience does not defy general des cription. So I can, in
good conscience, offer up some general advice. Therefore, thus, hereto, and
forthwith, the following tips on surviving (and getting the most from) law
school are listed for your consideration.

Before You Get There

#1. Spend some time with a lawyer.
Don't go to law school without knowing as much as you can about what a
lawyer does. Without this background, you risk entering a profession you
won't enjoy. That would be a tremendous waste of three years and tons of
money. Go to a law office, watch lawyers in action, see what a legal
document looks like, and please don't rely on TV portrayals of the legal
profession.

#2. Establish residency. Go to a state school. Reduce potential debt.
Of course, go to the best school that accepts you. But keep in mind that
state schools are almost half the price if you are a resident. Pick a state
school you like and live in that state for a year; you can take advantage
of your residency status and eliminate major debt load.

#3. Watch The Paper Chase twice.
This is the only movie ever produced about law school that comes close to
the real thing. Watch it before you go to orientation. Watch it again on
Thanksgiving break and laugh when you can identify your classmates.

Once You're There

#4. Depend on yourself.
The buck stops with you, baby! Law school is not an encounter group: You
learn the material, you take the exam, you get the grade.

#5. Try your hardest in the first year.
First-year performance determines whether you make law review, which
greatly determines your job prospects. The skills you neglect to build in
the first year will haunt you down the road; if you don't master the
basics, sooner or later you'll be exposed.

#6. Don't worry if you sound like an idiot.
Only in rare instances does your classroom participation affect your grade,
and it's usually only half a grade (if that). You're learning material that
fairly approximates a foreign language, so you're supposed to sound stupid.
Many of the "dumb-sounding" students get the best grades, and besides: All
exams are submitted anonymously. Repeat after me: "The exam is all that
matters. The exam is all that matters ...."

#7. Refuse to "kind of" understand something.
When you find yourself alone at your desk at 1 a.m., repeating the
definition of a concept for the umpteenth time and it still doesn't make
sense, don't give up until you understand. This diligence separates the
successful law student from the mediocre one.

#8. Remember: The only thing that counts is the exam.
Re-read number 6.

#9. Do "real world" legal stuff while in school.
During the semester, for credit or not, do an internship with a judge, at a
clinic, or work for a firm. You've got to see how the theories you're
learning apply to real life. Practical experience keeps your studies in
perspective and ought to be a formal requirement in law school anyway.

#10. Always ask yourself: "Is this the best way for me?"
Everybody learns differently. Some prefer study groups; others study alone.
Many people freak out under the pressure of law school. If you remain true
to yourself and keep your dignity, you'll adapt to life after law school
much more gracefully.

Good luck getting in. Good luck staying in. Let me know how it is for you,
when you get there.

　

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