Stress/Time Consumption

<p>What is the stress/time consumption/requirement of Law School?</p>

<p>differs but i would think it is going to be high</p>

<p>nevertheless, from what i hear, 1st year of Law School is the most important time there</p>

<p>Lots of time, especially 1L year. The stress is pretty incredible... I was certainly one of the most laid-back people in my class but was still going mental on occaison.</p>

<p>Of course, this all depends on which school you attend. Expect a lot of stress, but if you go to Yale, you're going to get a fantastic job no matter what. Grades aren't as important.</p>

<p>How many hours would u say you have to study?</p>

<p>First year is by far the most important, a friend who graduated from Illinois told me he spent anywhere from 5-8 hours a day studying extensively. He told me that your grades freshmen year are what employers tend to look at since second and third year will comprise of internships with firms that can possibly hire you after you pass the bar exam (this is what you do second and third year).</p>

<p>Oh really? I'd never heard the thing about the freshmen grades being most important.</p>

<p>How is it like? Hwk? Or just class discussions?</p>

<p>First year, you will typically take four classes per semester plus a legal writing class. You will be actually sitting in classes for approximately 3-5 hours a day depending on the day and your schedule. You will also probably spend five to ten hours a day doing the reading for your classes the next day, outlining and studying and briefing cases. The actual amount of time will depend on how fast you read and comprehend dense, difficult material, your concentration abilities and, most significantly, the assignments given to you by your professors. On top of that, there will probably be an hour or two a day when you spend time either researching jobs and sending out resumes (mostly happens second semester) for summer jobs, participating in one club or activity or another, going to hear a speaker on various topics, etc. In between all of the reading, studying and going to class, you will also have to find time to eat (not always as easy as it sounds). I always founding my legal writing class to be kind of a tipping factor in my schedule -- when I had legal research or writing to do, it always added hours to my time in the library (or often in multiple libraries across campus hunting down research materials -- then there is always ILL (inter library loan) too). </p>

<p>Most often, first year, I found myself waking up at 7 a.m.ish to start my day and get to class on time, and it was usually at least 9 or 10 p.m. before I headed back home to my apartment from the law school. Sometimes, I headed home for dinner and then either read and studied at home or headed back up to the law school. Pressure? Yes -- a lot. Time consuming? All consuming -- at least if you want to learn something and do well. Overwhelming? Sometimes -- particularly the few weeks right before finals. Remember, too, that probably for the first time in your life, your only grade in each class will be based upon one winner-take-all final exam. Now, that's pressure.</p>

<p>I was studying for the LSAT's one day and a couple of first year law students told me that I'd have no life if I ended up in law school.</p>

<p>1L grades are most important for a really simple reason. Recruiting for 2L summer associate positions begins in July after 1L year. All you have is your 1L grades. Law review is granted on 1L grades. These are the two biggest factors for post-graduate employment. In theory, you could be at the top of your class during 1L year, get a job offer in September, and get mediocre grades from that point forward - and it might not matter at all. The only time it matters is for clerkships - but Law Review is a huge part of those jobs. Also, clerkships are granted on the basis of 1L and some of 2L grades, most often.</p>

<p>After you study your arse off during 1L year, it's time for 2L fun - journals, moot court, job-hunting, writing requirements, independent studies, research with profs. (Please do not do what I did and take on all of the above in the same semester... it simply doesn't work. :) )</p>