Tips to thrive in 1L from a mostly average 2L
Dear 1Ls, congratulations on getting into one of the most selective and, some might say, the finest, law school in Canada! You were likely at the top of your program in undergrad. You will likely be average in law school.
Most of you will get average grades, do average extracurriculars, and get average jobs. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone cannot be at the top of the class, but most of you will try. So here are some tips to thrive in 1L.
Tip #1: Do what works for you
You will receive a lot of advice from a lot of people during your 1L (including yours truly). Most of it is well-meaning and meant to apply to law students broadly. But not everyone is the same. Mimicking the study techniques of your professor who used to be a gold medalist in law school does not guarantee you will be a gold medalist. Iterate! Try out pieces of advice: if they benefit you, keep them; if they don’t, drop them and try something else.
Tip #2: Take notes using a laptop
For each class, have one file (e.g., a Microsoft Word document) for lecture notes and one for textbook reading notes. This will allow you to easily search through your notes throughout the year and make outlining easier. Most people can type faster than they can hand-write, so they are less likely to miss important information in lectures by taking notes with a laptop.
There are two main drawbacks to taking notes with a laptop: (1) students using a laptop are more likely to just transcribe the professor instead of synthesizing, and (2) laptops are connected to an Internet filled with distractions. You can overcome (1) by practicing note-taking or synthesizing your notes after class. It’s better to cut down your notes than have important information missing from them. For (2), you can practice your self-control or use apps to block distracting websites during lectures.
Tip #3: Get a good work setup
I do most of my work from my home office, which has an ergonomic setup. I have a laptop stand, a second monitor, an ergonomic chair, an adjustable desk, an external keyboard, and a mouse. A second monitor is a game-changer. Once you get one, you will never want to go back. A second monitor allows you to take notes and write more efficiently by minimizing eye strain and constant “alt-tabbing.”
You may think you are young and healthy now, but even you are not immune from repetitive strain injuries. Being hunched over a laptop for dozens of hours a week is not good for your posture, health, or sanity. Invest in a good ergonomic set-up now, and you will avoid future pain and rehab bills.
I prefer to use textbook PDFs over physical textbooks because you can search through them, and you don’t have to carry them around. However, when textbooks are only sold as physical copies, you can get a cheap book stand to make reading more ergonomic.
Tip #4: Don’t be afraid to ask for help
There is no reward in law school for simply working hard. Work smarter, not harder. Use the resources available to you. If you cannot quickly find a judgment using the case citation, ask a librarian or someone else for help—don’t waste your time. If you cannot understand a key concept despite going to lectures and repeatedly going over the readings, ask the professor for clarification or sign up for tutoring. You don’t have to do everything by yourself. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re incompetent or a burden.
Tip #5: Take care of yourself
Law school is a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t want to burn yourself out before exams.
I think one of the worst pieces of law school advice I received was, “don’t go to sleep unless you have done all of your readings for the next day.” Sleep is important. Your health is important. Some things are more important than law school. It’s okay to take a mental health day or just take a day off. You can always catch up on your readings later.
It’s a false economy to trade your health or happiness for “grades.” You will study more effectively if you get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat healthy than if you spend every waking hour reading. Happy students are more productive students.
Law students and lawyers have disproportionately high rates of mental health issues and substance use disorders compared to the general public. If you are struggling with your mental health, please consider seeking the Wellness Support Services at the Faculty and the University or professional help. You can access resources confidentially.
Above all, be kind to yourself and each other. You are all going to make it.
Mental Health Resources:
- Supporting a student in distress: studentlife.utoronto.ca/service/faculty-support-for-responding-to-distressed-students/
- U of T MySSP is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via telephone, video, or chat in multiple languages
Students can contact:
- The Health and Wellness Centre (M–F, 9am to 4:30pm): 416-978-8030, or visit the Student Mental Health Portal online
- CAMH 24/7 Psychiatric Emergency Department: 1051 Queen St. W, or call 416-535-8501
- Talk Suicide Canada helpline: 1-833-456-4566
- See also: ontario.cmha.ca/documents/are-you-in-crisis/; camh.ca/en/suicide-prevention/get-help
