Law school is hard—no sugarcoating it. But here’s the good news: you can get through it, especially if you learn from those who’ve been there before. We’ve gathered 10 real-world tips from current law students and practicing attorneys to help you stay focused, lower your stress, and thrive during one of the toughest (but most rewarding) experiences of your life. Yes, law school is intense. It’s competitive, draining, and sometimes overwhelming. But it’s also totally doable—if you have the right approach. Whether you’re just starting 1L or you’re already in the thick of it and trying to find your rhythm, these practical, no-BS strategies will help you work smarter, stay balanced, and keep burnout at bay. (Want me to keep this tone for the rest of the tips? Let me know how you'd like to refine it further!) This version keeps it conversational, relatable, and encouraging while making the message clear and easy to digest. Would you like any adjustments?

Read Ahead: Your Secret Weapon for Law School Success

The best law students at the best British law schools don’t just do the readings—they do them before class. It sounds simple, but this one habit makes a huge difference. When you review the material ahead of time, the lecture becomes your second encounter with the concepts—helping you grasp them faster, remember them longer, and answer confidently if you’re called on.

Waiting until after class to catch up? That’s a missed opportunity. By then, you’ve already lost the chance to engage deeply, ask smart questions, and see how everything fits together. Stay ahead—read first.

Why Your Law School Notes Matter More Than You Think

Whether you're scribbling by hand or typing at lightning speed, good notes aren't about copying every word—they're about catching what really matters. Pay attention to what your professor emphasizes: the legal rules they repeat, the cases they mention casually, even their tone when discussing certain topics.

 These golden nuggets often reappear on exams. While law summer schools and study groups might share helpful outlines, don't rely solely on someone else's work. 

Professors love testing how well you've engaged with their material, and exams often include surprises only attentive students spot. Your best defense? Active listening and personalized notes that capture their unique teaching patterns. 

Bonus tip: Many top law students refine their note-taking skills during intensive law summer school programs before starting their degree—it's a great way to practice before the real deal!

You Can't Hide in Law School

At the best British law schools, playing hide-and-seek with professors never works. That back-row seat won’t protect you—in fact, nervous body language might make you a target for cold calls. Here’s the smarter approach: sit up front and reframe these moments as free practice. Think of it like gym sessions for your legal mind—awkward at first, but soon you’ll build the courtroom-ready confidence top lawyers need. Bonus? Professors notice and respect students who lean in rather than shrink back.

How to Use Study Guides Without Cheating Yourself

Let’s be honest—law school textbooks often feel like they’re written in code. When you hit a wall with a confusing concept, a good study supplement can be your lifeline. Many students at top law summer schools swear by trusted series like Examples & Explanations or Glannon Guides to translate legalese into plain English.

But here’s the trick: don’t drown in supplements. Ask your professor or TAs for their top recommendation, pick one that matches their teaching style, and use it to clarify—not replace—your assigned readings. Think of it like a GPS: helpful for navigation, but you still need to learn the route yourself.

How to Find a Study Group That Actually Helps You Learn

Study groups can be game-changers at the best law schools in the UK – but only if everyone pulls their weight. The right group becomes your secret weapon: splitting outline work, decoding tricky concepts, and preparing you for those brutal cold calls. The wrong one? Just a time-sink that leaves you more stressed than when you started.

Keep it small (2-4 committed classmates is ideal) and look for teammates who actually want to collaborate, not compete. Remember: while grades are curved at top UK law schools, legal education isn’t a cage match. When you lift each other up, everyone walks away sharper – and saner.

Beyond the Bookshelf: Unexpected Tools for Law School Success

You're investing a small fortune in your legal education – make sure you get your money's worth! Those tuition dollars aren't just buying you a seat in class. From research databases to career counseling, your law school offers dozens of resources most students never touch. The smartest students don't just attend lectures – they milk every opportunity their school provides.

Academic support programs: Don’t let these golden opportunities slip by! Most law schools offer TAs who run review sessions, professors who actually want you at office hours, and workshops that break down tough concepts. These resources exist for a reason—they work. And here’s the secret: The students who crush law first year are usually the ones smart enough to show up for the 'extra' stuff when everyone else is too burned out to bother.

Career services: At the best law schools in the UK, career services aren’t just for graduation season – they’re your secret weapon from day one. Even if you’re not job-hunting yet, drop in early. They’ll help you craft a standout CV, refine your cover letters, and decode what top firms really want. Think of it like legal training: you wouldn’t wait until finals to learn case law, so why wait to build career skills? Students at leading UK law programs who visit early often land better placements – simply because they’ve had more time to prepare and pivot.

Professors: Don’t let office hours intimidate you—professors actually want students to show up (seriously!). Think of it this way: those 15 minutes could lead to clerkship tips, career advice, or a glowing recommendation letter down the road. The secret? Just go prepared. Bring one smart question about their lecture or a case you found confusing. You’ll stand out as the student who cares—and that’s how mentorship magic starts.

Exam review sessions : Just go. Seriously. Those office hours you're avoiding? They're often where professors accidentally reveal exam secrets, correct misunderstandings before they become bad habits, and drop golden nuggets of advice you won't get in lectures. Think of it like finding bonus features on a DVD – the real gems aren't in the main presentation. And here's the kicker: most students never bother, so you'll automatically stand out by showing up.

Master IRAC (or CREAC, or CRAC

At the best law schools in the UK, you'll quickly learn that legal writing is a whole new ball game—think precision over poetry. Forget those flowy college essays; here it's all about structure. Whether your professor swears by IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) or CREAC, mastering these frameworks isn't just busywork—it's your ticket to acing exams and crushing the bar later.

Top British law schools drill this for good reason: The students who practice early (applying these structures in every case brief and practice essay) gain a huge edge. Pro tip: Don't wait for feedback—chase it. And those timed writing sessions that feel awkward now? They'll save you during finals when every minute counts.

How to Pick Activities That Actually Impress Employers

At the best law schools in the UK, smart students know grades aren’t everything. The right extracurricular can be your secret weapon—helping you build real skills, grow your network, and stand out when employers are sifting through piles of similar GPAs. You don’t need to do it all.

Just pick one activity that plays to your strengths (whether that’s moot court, law review, or pro bono work) and really throw yourself into it. Not sure where to start? Here’s a hack: Ask second- and third-year students which activities actually moved the needle for their careers.

They’ll tell you the truth about time commitments, how competitive each is, and—most importantly—whether employers really care about it. At top UK law schools, this insider knowledge is pure gold.

Why Self-Care Should Be Your Most Important Law School Course

Let’s be real: law school can chew you up and spit you out if you let it. The pressure is relentless, the competition gets in your head, and too many students white-knuckle their way through in silence. Here’s your survival kit:

Warn your people upfront—I’m about to become a stressed-out hermit for a while" sets expectations
Name your stress when you feel it (saying "I’m drowning" out loud helps more than you’d think)
Use every resource your school offers—therapy, meditation rooms, even just pacing in the wellness center between classes

And remember: It’s okay to pause, pivot, or even walk away. No degree is worth your health—the legal world will still be there when (or if) you’re ready.

Guilty Pleasures Shouldn't Be Guilty in Law School

Here’s a secret top students at law summer schools learn early: all work and no play makes for a miserable (and less effective) law student. Those mixers, intramural leagues, and late-night trivia battles aren’t just fun—they’re fuel. The friendships you make between cases will become your future professional network, your support system during the bar exam grind, and maybe even your lifelong friends.

Pro tip from summer program veterans: The classmates laughing with you now will be the colleagues who later refer clients, cover your hearings, or (yes) face you across the courtroom. You don’t need to be the life of every party—just show up often enough to remember why you chose this wild legal journey. Those shared pizza breaks and stress vents? That’s where the real law school magic happens.