Law School Is Not a Backup Plan

Everywhere you look, and a lot of people that you talk to will try to tell you that law school is suitable to have as a backup plan.  This could not be further from the truth.  Law school takes an extreme amount of dedication and effort--for you to make it, you have to love it.  Do not take someone else's seat unless you are going to take it seriously.

Attending Lectures Are a Must

Some people could glide through undergrad without actually going to class.  This will not fly in law school.  The American Bar Association actually requests that law professors take attendance in their lectures because there has to be a record of "regular and punctual attendance".  If you do not fulfill this requirement, then the ABA can restrict you from sitting for the Bar Exam.

There would be nothing more frustrating than to put a ton of work into your education and not be able to receive your certification.  Law school tuition is not a laughable matter, either.  Students who decide to sleep in or skip are taking quite the expensive break--if you thought undergrad hours were expensive, multiply that three-fold.

Career Numbers Are Important

Every law school reports their numbers on the percentage of their graduates that are gainfully employed in a law-related career.  These statistics are used to rank the schools, as well as an advertising point for future students.  Career services offices do not take kindly to lazy students.  If any of the administrators at the institution do not believe that you are taking your legal education seriously, they can choose to expel you at their discretion.

This does not mean that you are "stuck" being a lawyer if that is not what you desire for your future.  The administration is willing to help you find a career in the place that will make you happy.  People can only help people that are willing to help themselves.

Law School and Stress are "Going Steady"

Law school has a notorious reputation for being very difficult.  This is not an untrue or invalid reputation.  You need to keep your thoughts in order to create outlines, you need to reach out to professors as soon as you are having difficulty, and you have to be disciplined enough to stay on top of your reading.  In the majority of law classes, grades are determined by one thing--a final exam.

One final determines your grade.  This means that the culmination of knowledge for an entire semester must be prepared and ready to go when the exam is handed to you.  Time-efficiency is key, so wasted time is detrimental.  Law schools do offer assistance in teaching coping mechanisms, but you still need to reach out for this help.

Lack of Motivation Means Lack of Degree Value

If a legal education does not mean much to you as a person, then you weigh down on the value of your degree.  Law school teaches you how to read, write, and argue in a way that you have never done before.  These skills are important in the legal profession, but if you roll your eyes at this, then you are doing your classmates a disservice.  As they are putting their pedals to the metal, you with the backup plan just take the easy way out.   This does not provide a strong learning environment

With people weakening the learning environment, the professors have difficulty finding participants in the class, on law review, and other programs in the school.  This does not reflect well when employers are looking at applicants from your institution.  The program suffers, the ranking suffers, and your degree suffers.

Law School is a Three Year Marriage

While you are in law school, it is your life.  It requires 100% of your attention.  You have to fulfill all of its requests and demands.  You have to put things aside in order to perform well.  If you do not take promises lightly, then you should not take your seat in a law school class lightly.  You have to be dedicated and faithful to school while you are there.  And you have to do that for a full three years.

xoxo,