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Advice every first-year law student needs to succeed
For first-years, the transition into tertiary legal education can feel daunting and overwhelming. Here, two award-winning law students offer invaluable advice to help you successfully navigate this journey, enabling you to excel both academically and personally.
Grace Robbie
Starting a law degree is an exciting yet challenging experience, as the transition into such a demanding environment can often overwhelm many first-year students. However, with the right strategies and a positive mindset, first-year law students can navigate this journey with confidence and success.
Speaking with Lawyers Weekly, Jessica Wood, the recipient of the Law Student of the Year at the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards in 2024, and Lina Zaioor, the recipient of the Law Student of the Year at the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards in 2024, shared practical advice that every first-year law student can apply to make their year both successful and rewarding.
Managing time effectively
Completing a law degree is widely acknowledged for its demanding workload, which requires students to balance academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments effectively. This undertaking can be particularly challenging for first-year law students.
Wood emphasised the importance of planning and prioritising, advising that first-year law students should ensure that they “start by listing all your tasks and activities, estimating the required time for each, and scheduling them accordingly”.
She added: “Focus on completing important lecture revisions or readings in the morning when your mind is fresh and save less demanding tasks for later in the day.”
Zaioor expressed how “your time and energy are limited”, stressing the importance of using your time “wisely and prioritising what truly matters”.
To stay organised and manage time effectively, Zaioor stressed that “your diary is your best friend” and recommended using tools such as Google Calendar.
Additionally, she said: “I also recommend identifying your most productive work hours and completing the most challenging tasks around those times. This could be early in the morning or late at night. By aligning your work with your natural energy peaks, you will maximise efficiency and reduce chances of procrastination.”
Effective study techniques
First-year law students often encounter difficulties in grasping complex legal concepts. To assist in overcoming these challenges, Wood and Zaioor shared insights into the practical study techniques they used throughout their law degrees, offering guidance on how students can develop strong study habits early on.
Zaioor underscored the importance of staying ahead with coursework, advising students to begin readings early and divide them into smaller, more manageable sections for improved comprehension and retention.
“Start your readings early and break them up into smaller sets to complete throughout the week. It is much more productive to read five pages each day than 20 pages the night before class!” Zaioor said.
When reviewing extensive cases, Zaioor advised, an effective method for reading and summarising these is by “setting out your notes in table format and using the headings, “facts”, “legal issue(s)”, “judge’s reasoning” and “ratio” to identify the most important information in each case”.
Zaioor added: “I also recommend forming study groups with friends to reinforce key learnings. Take turns explaining topics to each other and offer to give feedback on problem questions or essays they complete. Collaborative learning is the best way to test your understanding and gain fresh perspectives on the topic.”
Wood encouraged first-year law students to “attend workshops or training sessions on legal research offered by your university”, as these sessions provide essential skills crucial not only for excelling in academic assignments but also for success in future legal practice.
She also underscored the value of reading cases thoroughly, as “reading judgments in full helps you understand judicial reasoning, which is central to legal analysis”.
Build a network
Networking is an essential component of a successful legal career, and it is imperative for first-year law students to cultivate this skill early.
Zaioor underscored the significance of networking, noting how “it helps build relationships that can lead to mentorship, collaboration, and career opportunities”.
She advised first-year law students who wish to cultivate a robust network of dependable personal and professional support to engage with student law societies and attend relevant events actively.
“The best way to grow your network is to join student societies on campus and participate in their events. Student law societies organise programs, including panel events, cocktail evenings and mentoring programs, for students to understand the various career pathways in law and ways to excel in the field,” Zaioor said.
However, beyond these formal events, Zaioor explained that networking entails fostering genuine relationships, which can be nurtured through “engaging actively in class discussions, forming study groups, and connecting on platforms like LinkedIn or student Facebook groups can help students stay connected outside of structured environments”.
Wood echoed this sentiment about cultivating relationships with classmates, expressing how “the peers you study with today will become your colleagues in various areas of law in 5-10 years”.
Moreover, she recommends that a strong starting point for first-year students to build connections is through university-organised networking events, as they provide “low-pressure opportunities to meet people and build connections”.
However, Wood advised caution, stating that “while external networking events can be valuable, don’t feel pressured to attend every one during your first year”.
Staying motivated and resilient
The transition to a law degree can present a significant learning curve and adjustment challenges for first-year students. However, both Wood and Zaioor emphasised the critical role of resilience and maintaining a broader perspective during this formative period.
Wood said: “It’s easy for law school to consume all your energy, but engaging in hobbies will keep you grounded and enhance your focus during classes.”
Additionally, when academic results are disappointing, Wood advocates using one’s support network and concentrating on personal improvement, as setbacks are an inherent aspect of the first-year experience.
“If you receive a disappointing grade, don’t lose heart. Lean on your support network and make adjustments – allocate more time to subjects you find challenging and focus on improvement. Resilience is built through persistence, not perfection,” Wood said.
Zaioor stressed the importance of not putting excessive pressure on yourself and allowing ample time to “adjust to the law school environment and workload”.
She also said: “Do not be afraid to reach out to older students for support – they have gone through this experience and are often willing to share their resources and insights.”
Recognising and celebrating “small wins” is another key strategy that Zaioor raised for staying motivated, as these seemingly minor accomplishments can bolster confidence and generate momentum over time.
She shared that this practice may involve “rewarding yourself for finishing that seemingly endless set of readings for the week or answering a challenging question that your lecturer raises in class.”
Zaioor added: “Most importantly, take it easy on yourself. You do not need to be an HD average student with a long list of extracurricular activities to be successful. Being accepted into law school is already an achievement, so make sure you take in this moment and just enjoy the ride!”
