While it may feel like the most important thing in the world for anxious law school applicants on waitlists, there are many other important aspects of life beyond gaining admission to a law school. Even if you are awarded a generous scholarship, attending law school may not be worth the cost if it comes at the expense of your physical or mental health or your relationships with loved ones. Undertaking law school is a lengthy and stressful process that can be transformative, but it is possible to successfully navigate it while keeping your relationships intact or even strengthening them. To do so, it is important to anticipate the challenges of the first year, avoid turning your relationships into a legal battle, and clarify your future goals.
Anticipating and Managing Challenges in the First Year of Law School
The first year of law school is likely to be the most difficult, regardless of where you attend. Whether you are transitioning from college or the workforce, the rigor of law school coursework can be daunting. In the standard first-year curriculum, students are required to read hundreds of cases and be prepared to answer challenging questions posed by professors in class. It can be tough to know how to prepare for classes and exams at first.
Thankfully, the challenges tend to decrease in later years, as you gain more control over your course selection, take on more active roles in clinics and extracurricular activities, and gain a better understanding of the workload.
During the first year, however, it is important to anticipate that you may struggle at times. It is essential to communicate with your partner or loved one about how to manage the stress, so as not to strain the relationship or put an undue burden on them during this experience.
Avoiding Letting Legal Thinking Affect Personal Relationships
Law school is designed to teach students how to "think like a lawyer." Graduates learn to break down complex legal issues into smaller parts, analyze ambiguities, apply legal precedents, and effectively handle counterarguments.
While these skills are crucial for interacting with clients, colleagues, judges, and other lawyers, they may also start to permeate personal relationships, often unconsciously.
For example, identifying logical fallacies may be beneficial on the LSAT and in the classroom, but it may not be welcomed by a partner who does not want to argue over every disagreement.
Discussing and Clarifying Future Career Goals with Your Partner
When applying to law school, it is crucial to express your dedication to a legal career, but having specific career goals in mind is not necessary.
By the end of law school, you will most likely have a better understanding of the type of legal work that interests you. Legal careers differ significantly in subject matter, lifestyle, and compensation.
For instance, the work of a criminal defense attorney differs greatly from that of a corporate lawyer or an attorney specializing in wills and estates. You may discover that a field that intrigues you intellectually is not a good fit for the lifestyle you desire.
Since these decisions will have a direct impact on your partner, it is vital to discuss them together. Be honest and realistic about the challenges and potential drawbacks of your career goals, such as long hours, frequent travel, emotional strain, or unstable income.
Talk to lawyers and prospective mentors in your desired field to learn about their daily lives, so you and your partner can understand what to expect.
Excellent lawyers possess empathy, communication skills, and a fair-minded approach. The skills you acquire in law school can improve your relationships, and the challenges of law school can show you which relationships are most crucial to your life.
Stay open-minded and humble, and you might come out of law school not only a better writer and thinker but also a better partner.
