Photo by The Climate Reality Project on Unsplash
How to Choose Your Law School Classes
Published October 21, 2019
Your will likely be pre-registered for your first year law school classes, but that shouldn't stop you from thinking about the classes you want to take in your second and third years.
| 1. Review graduation requirements |
| 2. Select classes that will help you on the Bar Exam |
| 3. Keep an open mind |
| 4. Balance is the goal |
1. Review graduation requirements
As a lawyer, you should always start out by looking at the rules and requirements. For example, UB School of Law has the General Academic Requirements, Policies And Code Of Student Conduct (aka the GARP) which lists out all of the academic requirements for graduation. Section III (B)(1 & 2) give you an idea of what I am talking about. Before you plan out your second and third years, it is important to make sure all of your course selections meet your schools requirements.
Sidenote: See if any of the Clinics, Moot Courts, or Trial Teams have prerequisite classes that you have to take before you can participate.
2. Select classes that will help you on the Bar Exam
Disclaimer: I am not advocating for you to take ALL bar related classes in law school! However, there are some topics that might be difficult to learn in 1-2 days when you are in bar prep. I suggest evaluating your own learning style and what topics you may need more in-depth learning, and going from there. For example, I took Corporations, Criminal Procedure, and Evidence because I knew those topics would be tested on the bar and I wanted to make sure I had enough time to learn the intricacies in each area. When these topics came up during bar prep for me, I was reviewing the material instead of learning it for the first time.
3. Keep an open mind
Many law students come into law school thinking they want to practice in one area of law, and end up going in a completely different direction. Law school is your chance to explore different types of law. Taking courses that are out of your comfort zone or out of your interest area may end up sparking a new interest in you. This also applies to experiences such as Clinics or Moot Courts. When I was in law school, public speaking was not my strength. However, I tried out for a Moot Court and was selected to be on the team. Moot Court was my most rewarding experience in law school because it pushed me to learn new advocacy and writing skills. I was actually putting the things I had learned in class into practice.
4. Balance is the goal
Law school is a time to take your academics seriously, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun. In fact, you need balance to avoid burnout. Joining different student organizations and building a support system within the law school will help you to withstand the stress that comes along with law school. Take classes that interest you. Meditate. Go for a run. Go to a concert. Do things that make you happy, and they will help you to maintain your focus on school in the long run.
