Tips for 1Ls: Do What You Can When You Can

When I think about my first year in law school, I think of it in weekly increments. The constant ebb and flow of studying for classes. I found it useful to keep working even when you realize you could not work for the length of time you intended. That’s why my mantra is do what you can when you can. You intended to study for 3 hours today, but there was traffic, or you had to stay at work late, and now you have only 45 minutes before going to bed. Read for those 45 minutes. This is simple discipline and basic advice that people give all the time, but I just went through it.

I can testify that it was basically the most important key to me because life happens. I suppose this is mostly for online part-time JD students, but things come up for all of us. Do not get disheartened when you realize that the assignment is going to take up much more time than originally anticipated. Push through and perhaps don’t go to the weekly poker night with friends to make up for it. Lastly, talk to your professors and staff if you foresee upcoming challenges. I had to adjust my class schedule because of very unique work circumstances, and the CSU LAW staff were extremely helpful. To summarize, keep pushing forward and don’t be afraid to reach out when you need help. Good Luck!