After you’ve received your passing LSAT score and the excitement of getting into law school has gradually waned, there’s only one thing left to face: the unknown haze of what to expect during 1L year. This enigma is essentially an open secret. I mean all you need to do is a Google search to find blog posts and articles outlining experiences and helpful tips about 1L preparation. However, this information, if offered with no structure or feedback leaves much to be desired and could have the opposite effect and instead overwhelm incoming students. So what options are left for the incoming student who is uncertain of what’s to come and equally uncertain of how to prepare? Yes, you guessed it, aside from seeking guidance from a mentor, a law school prep course is just about the only option available for the incoming 1L seeking a practical means for law school preparation. Now before you throw this article through the window, just hear me out. [Read more…] about Contemplating How to “Start Law School Right?”
About Christen Morgan
Want Better Grades in Law School? How About Switching Up Your Study Space?
Last summer I had the pleasure of attending a women’s career development conference. As I settled into the crowded room bursting at the seams with women, it took little time to notice that we were all unified in our desire to absorb the secret formula that fuels the female masterminds and professionals of the world. Armed with our notepads and pens in hand, we beamed with anticipation as we learned the many ways to tackle difficult conversations with coworkers and our superiors, methods to reactivate our serotonin levels when faced with inevitable stressors on the job and finally what area within our work space we should place a bowl to activate wealth. Yes, you read that correctly, as I reviewed the agenda for the conference sessions that day, I was surprised to see an entire session dedicated to the art of “Feng Shui” and how it can positively impact our growth, prosperity and overall career development. We therefore learned how the placement of something seemingly trivial as a crystal bowl could generate wealth and how different colors and greenery could impact our mood and focus.
As I hit about a year to the date that I attended this conference, I got to thinking about how this method could serve to benefit a law student. It’s no secret that your surroundings can directly impact your ability to focus. Therefore, before you pass on this as some “mumbo jumbo,” consider that it’s reasonable to surmise that better focus could ultimately lead to better grades. However, creating a space based on the “Feng Shui” method is not the only method for success. It may simply mean being intentional about the study spaces you select simply by decluttering your surroundings Marie Kondo style. Regardless of your preference, your work space should at its core be inspired by what works for you. So if you’re looking to improve your focus and improve your grades check out the study space options below.
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Study Abroad Law School Programs
When you’re in law school, it’s easy to view your summer through a singular lens. This lens comprises of one in which you find a summer job in the US, work as hard as you can, pray to get an offer for the next summer, or if you’re a 3L, a permanent offer for a full time post. Very rarely do we ever learn of alternative summer options, such as working abroad or even less of studying abroad. In fact, I was entirely unaware that the latter was even an option until I was on my way out of law school. Now I must concede that I do understand the justification for the lack of publicity surrounding study abroad programs. I mean, these programs are not cheap, and they would require law students to spend their summer paying additional tuition instead of earning money to offset some of the hefty tuition costs they’ve racked up during the year. However, it’s extremely important for students to be aware of these programs because they can be essential towards career development, depending on your selected career path. [Read more…] about Study Abroad Law School Programs
How to Become A Lawyer Without Going to Law School
If you’ve been on planet Earth for the past few months you’ve probably heard the news. No, not about the new royal baby or about Beyonce’s “Homecoming” release on Netflix. I’m talking about the news blast you likely saw on your social media feed on or about April 10th, 2019, “Kim Kardashian is working on becoming a lawyer.” This news blast was unexpected to say the least. In fact, I ruled it out as inaccurate until seeing this news story corroborated by news media outlets more credible than my Instagram news feed.
However, the most incredible part of this news story wasn’t her plan to become a lawyer, I mean, “get it girl,” this pathway is available for whoever is willing to take on the task. What was more shocking, was the fact that she is doing this without going to law school. Yes, you heard me right. Kim Kardashian, wife of Kanye, mother to North, Saint, Chicago and now Psalm West, found a pathway to become an attorney, through which she can avoid the dreaded cold call in front of hundreds of people and extensive class lectures that go on for hours. No this isn’t a pathway reserved for the wealthy or famous. In fact this is a pathway that has existed for centuries, it’s just simply the road less travelled for reasons I will delve into below. Therefore, if you’re interested in becoming a lawyer sans law school, this article is for you.
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So You Want a Summer Job Abroad?
As another summer comes upon us I know that there are two primary thoughts on the mind of a law student: 1) will I survive my current summer job and 2) will I find a job for next summer? It’s almost second nature and a necessity for 1L or 2L students to begin strategizing about their summer during the summer before. Although this strategy process is a heavy hurdle to overcome, this process becomes even more difficult for students looking to work overseas, due to the lack of opportunities and the scarcity of information available to provide guidance. However, despite these limitations, I’ve put together this handy guide in the hopes that it will somewhat demystify the process. [Read more…] about So You Want a Summer Job Abroad?
Helpful Note-Taking Apps for Law Students
Whether it’s adding your fifteenth entry to an already lengthy checklist, collaborating with your study group partner on the details of your Criminal Procedure outline or taking notes in your daily class lectures, note taking is a quintessential facet of the law school experience. The ability to take concise and, most importantly, helpful notes about a complex topic is a necessary skill for any lawyer. A skill that’s tested and groomed to perfection during your three years of law school and a skill that can be drastically aided by the ideal app. In today’s world of technology overload there is certainly no shortage of note taking apps to choose from. Whether your preference is more of a simplistic analog style or more of a complex feature-filled app, the options are endless.
So, if you’re interested in trying out a new note taking app, and you’re not sure where to start, this post is for you. I’ve taken the liberty of digging into some of the more popular note taking apps for both Mac and Microsoft users, and I’ve highlighted the features that I believe would be most helpful for any law student.
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