Law School and Expectations

First off, let me take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Raylene Smith, and I’ll be working with Samantha to organize your Orientation Week this year. After having an incredible time at Orientation last year, I am dedicated to ensuring that the Class of 2014 has a similar experience. Orientation is a great opportunity to meet new friends, learn about various law school activities, and have some fun before class begins! I would recommend making the most of this week – don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to fellow students and professors. You will be seeing a lot of each other in the upcoming year!

In my first blog I wanted to discuss “law school” and the many, many expectations that come with it. With 1L rapidly approaching, I’m sure that you have all kinds of expectations – I know I did. Most 1Ls, myself included, have high expectations for their academic performance. Indeed, those who embark on the law school journey are smart, hardworking, and used to a strong academic performance. This means that the standards in law school are very high, and it’s important to adjust your expectations accordingly. In law school, getting a grade above 78 – or indeed 76 – is exciting, and an accomplishment. For those of you who are more familiar with grades in the mid-eighties, it’s important to remember that in law school, the standards are different. Personally, I added five percent to all my grades during first semester when evaluating my performance. It helped me keep in perspective how different law school grades are. By second semester, I had adjusted to the law school grading scheme and could set more appropriate goals for myself.

As I’ve mentioned, managing your academic expectations will be challenging. But keeping school in perspective is also very important. Don’t forget about other interests in your life. If you are involved in extracurricular activities – try to keep them up; if you are interested in different clubs and programs at the law school – try them out. This may sound hard to believe, but making time for other interests will truly help your academic performance. I joined several activities (volleyball team, LSLAP, careers committee), and I found them to be great breaks from studying. When I returned to my school work, I would be refreshed, refocused, and ready to learn. Law school activities are also a great way to meet other 1Ls and upper years students.
On that note, it is also important to maintain your social life. This too will take some balancing, but I assure you, it is definitely worth it. Make sure to spend time with both your new friends in law school and the friends you have now. The former will offer compassion and a true understanding of the law school experience; the latter will help you keep life in perspective. Law school can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to take some time away too. Ultimately, all these friendships will be critical in ensuring a happy, healthy 1L experience. Lets be honest – you are much more likely to remember (fondly) your 1L trips to Whistler than your hours of studying!

By now, I’m sure you’ve noticed a common theme: law school is all about balancing. I think this is probably the most useful expectation to have. If you expect to be busy both with academics and otherwise, you will be better prepared to have a full law school experience. You will be ready to tackle your academic workload, while maintaining your hobbies, interests, and friendships. You will be set for an exhilarating and fulfilling year. So get excited 1Ls! You have an unbelievable year before you, and I know you’ll all make the most of it. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I look forward to meeting you all during orientation week!

- Posted by Raylene