Ms. JD Fellows Present...Acing Law School | Page 6

First Generation Law Students

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by: Theresa Rocha Beardall, University of Illinois Law School

Reema Sultan, Hofstra University School of Law

Brenda D. Villanueva, University of Maryland School of Law

re you the first in your family to apply for, and attend law school? If so, congratulations on this momentous accomplishment!

There is so much on the horizon for your professional career. We are excited to welcome you into our community of first-generation law students. We want to share useful tips and information to help navigate the law school experience, as we did without the advice of attorneys in our families. There is much to learn before, during, and after the degree. In addition, this chapter explores the benefits of both academic and non-academic support systems during law school.

Getting started: what to think about before law school

You were accepted into several law schools and recently decided which law school to attend. This is such an exciting moment. But, what can you think about before arriving to your new campus community so that you are not caught off guard?

Academic and Cultural Organizations

Starting life in a new community can be both exciting and disorienting. You will meet great new friends and perhaps love your new apartment. But you will also miss your home community and family. Or, really miss cultural traditions and foods that are important to who you are. In addition, your new city’s academic community might be very different.

To ensure that you connect to the things in life that matter to you, seek out two to three student organizations that can assist you in this new academic transition. Seek organizations outside of the law school too! If your law school is part of a larger university campus, you may instead, affiliate yourself with an organization part of your main campus. Your school schedule will be challenging, especially your first year. But, it is important to find people and spaces that make you feel comfortable. Prior to, or shortly after arriving to your new city, send an introductory email to student representatives to ask about welcome back events planned. The important goal is to get out of your apartment, be open to meeting new students, and try new organizations until you find a comfortable group.

Family Life

Before starting law school, take time to speak openly with your family about the demands of your new life. If you are unsure of your new class schedule’s time commitments, connect with second year and third year law students to seek a clear picture of what your time constraints will be like. Once you start the semester, your schedule as a first year law student will not provide the same level of free time you have been accustomed to. This includes, less time available to attend family events and friend dates. It is important to broach these subjects early with your loved ones so that they do not feel ignored in your new life.

Also, utilize your summer before law school to enjoy your family and friends! Take that road trip with your sister you have been meaning to take. Go on that hiking trip with your best friends that you all have been talking about since sophomore year of college. Capitalize and efficiently use the summer before law school. Making memories together will be important for your relationships, and will help you begin your new school year with a positive outlook. Ensure that you get to connect with, and share your goals with everyone important to you. Set the expectations and let them know that you are starting law school.

Finances

Now, start saving. Seriously, the law school experience is expensive.1 Whether or not you are receiving financial aid or help from home, many law students do not hold paid positions during law school. Even if you intend to pick up a part-time job, the more you earn and save before you start law school, the better!

Cut back on the non-essentials and deposit extra funds into an account that is strictly reserved for law school. Sit down with your family to adjust any family contributions they make to you or any contributions you have been regularly giving to them.

Check your credit report.2 If you are holding credit card debt, while you still are working, try to pay down your balance and switch over your cards to other credit cards to lower interest rates.

It is very likely that your financial aid will not arrive on time for you to purchase your books. You will need to save funds on your own to purchase your books prior to starting law school. Seek out book scholarships from your school or from other sources to help defray the costs of your needs. Create several budgets and compare them, for example, a budget you held prior to law school and then another based on financial aid and other sources of income. Writing everything down will help you stay organized.3

Physical and mental health

Take an honest inventory of your body’s needs. Do you need physical activity incorporated into your weekly schedule in order to feel positive about your sleep, body image, or work habits?