Getting into Law School is tough, but for many students, the real challenge begins in first year.
Why is it so difficult? The workload, endless reading, intense assessments, and the competitive environment — where everyone else seems to be thriving — can make you second-guess your decision to study law.
But, before you start thinking you're the only one struggling, remember this: everything at law school is brand new, for everyone. The content, terminology, skills, and assessment methods — it’s like learning a foreign language without any translation. Even if you have some prior exposure to legal studies, it will probably not help much once you're knee-deep in subjects like Contract Law, Torts, Public Law, or Statutory Interpretation.
The first time you tackle a case note, draft a memorandum of advice, respond to a problem problem, or write a research essay, you'll realise how unfamiliar everything feels. In other words, what you are going through is natural. Law school demands that you acquire new skills while simultaneously absorbing massive amounts of information. It's no surprise that this can feel overwhelming!
So what can you do? Well, first off it's good to acknowledge that you are at the bottom of a steep learning curve and things will get better.
Many law students tell us that, while their first year felt like an endless period of learning new concepts, meeting new people, struggling through courses, and trying to keep up, their second year was significantly smoother. By this time you usually have a clearer understanding of the law, how law school operates, the most effective study strategies, and how to do law assessments.
Second, it helps to remember that the people teaching you are experts in their field (as both teachers and subject experts). This means they will often skip explaining the fundamentals of what they are teaching - including how to study the topic and do well in assessment - because they assume you know these things.
As John D Branson et al write in How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience and School
"The expert’s fluency can conceal the very principles and strategies that the novice must learn in order to become more expert. These principles and strategies are often invisible even to the expert precisely because they are second nature. And they’re invisible to the novice observing the expert because they’re implicit in the expert’s work."
This means you need to look outside of law school (see our skills sessions or books such as Law Student Survival Guide) to fill these gaps.
Third, in first year it helps to not take your marks too seriously. No one expects you to achieve straight Distinctions in your first year — and if you do, you probably don't know how you managed it. Success in law school assessments requires mastering key skills: legal research, writing, and — most importantly — developing a compelling legal argument. This last skill is crucial and can take years to develop. It’s the foundation of learning to “think like a lawyer” and one of the core skills law school is designed to teach.
Finally, it's helpful to know that many of the challenges you're facing stem from the way law school operates, not from any shortcomings on your part. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
Law school is a competitive environment: Every student at law school is intelligent and most are very driven, which means the competition to do well and achieve high marks is strong.
There's often limited feedback: In many courses, particularly those with large end-of-semester exams, feedback on your progress can be minimal, leaving you unsure of how you're doing.
There can be pressure to meet traditional measures of success: Law schools often promote achievements like top grades, mooting competitions, committee positions, paralegal jobs, clerkships, and academic prizes. For most students these are out of reach — or not of interest. Don't get drawn into the idea you have to do these things if they are not of interest to you.
There can be a lack of attention to broader issues: Some law schools don't put much time into discussing the social, political, and economic effects of law, or the inequalities within the legal system, law school, and society at large. This can be frustrating and disappointing, and may not fit your idea of what law school is. Look outside of law school or for student organisations that are interested in the same things you are.
You can feel disconnected from the outside world: Law school asks a lot of you. Your family, friends, or partner might not understand why you're stressed or constantly studying. Talk to them, or to other law students or a counsellor about the pressure you are feeling, and remember you are not alone.
The pressure to get a law job: The pressure to get a legal job during your studies can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re uncertain about whether you want to practice law at all. Hold off. You will know when you are ready to add legal work to your study and then look for jobs that are of interest to you.
All these factors can contribute to the stress of law school. Remember, whatever you're experiencing in your first year, you're not alone. Many students are going through the same things. Don’t hesitate to reach out to others — or us if you need to talk or support.
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