This article talks about 4 personal habits that I believe if adopted could really help law students in completing law school.
- Finding reason and Affirmation – remind yourself why you are in law school
Law school is a long journey – 3/4 years of stressful, tedious work. Therefore, do make sure you are there for the right reason, ie for one there’s nothing glamorous about being a law student when there are thousands of law graduates every year.
If you don’t genuinely enjoy studying law, then don’t be there. It’s OK (with emphasis) because it’s not for everyone.
Keep searching and you will eventually find your place in life, a vocation where you would shine and find more fulfillment and happiness. Realising your full potential and attaining happiness deserves much more attention of than superficialities like glamour or money, or even pleasing your parents.
Make sure you have a right reason to be at law school, and once you identified it, revise it daily. Remind yourself first thing in the morning of that reason.
You may think that this habit is unrealistic or impractical, but trust me it’s the foundation to everything else, and might just stop you from wasting your precious youth on a journey to a destination you don’t even desire to arrive at.
- Learn to say no, proudly
During law school, just like studying anything at any university, there will always be temptations and distractions. By that I don’t only mean entertainment like movies or social nights, but also seemingly productive things like mooting, debating, and public speaking.
I do encourage you to participate in both entertainment and co-curriculum as they are healthy and necessary for your overall growth, PROVIDED they are being done in moderation.
The key here is being realistic with yourself.
There will be times when you know you are not coping well with your studies; you must then say no to those distractions because passing law school should be the utmost priority. No point in being the best debater when you can’t graduate right?
This is why habit #1 is being preached; It would ensure you have your reason for being in law school deeply embedded in you, assisting you in making decisions at moments like this.
- Energy management
The third habit that you must develop is the habit of energy management, on top of time management. There is really no point sitting in the library longer than everyone else when all you do is just day dreaming or playing with your phone because you are mentally exhausted.
Schedule your day with the time where you are most energized, alert and creative on studying. Those intricate legal concepts and complex case laws require deep focus to comprehend and to be absorbed.
Please don’t be so silly where you spend your best energy on menial activities like grocery shopping or laundry but only begin your study session at the end of the day when you are exhausted!
- Write write and write
This fourth habit is probably the toughest to develop, but a very very important one. Practise this habit by:
- taking notes during lectures;
- writing notes during your own self-study sessions; and
- writing answers for your tutorial question or past year exams questions.
Make sure every day after every study session you can see pages of notes and answers. It is only by writing and active learning that the information can truly sink in and be truly learned. Simply sitting in lectures or just reading textbooks won’t yield results. Remember, If you’re not writing, you’re not learning.
Through writing, you not only memorise the information but also improve your writing skills, both speed and precision. Another added benefit is that the notes or answers you produce can be given to your peers or teachers to review and provide feedback.
Final Reminder
There you go, those are the 4 key habits that could assist you in getting your law degree if you implement them. Remember, it’s not 4 things to do, but 4 habits. This means that you have to actually do them every day and make them habits for them to be effective.
I wish you all the best.