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Ten things I wish I'd known before becoming a law student

20 February, 2023

Many people have varying opinions regarding the profession; in fact, some people see them more negatively than positively. Of course, many people seek the assistance of attorneys for advocacy, whether they are at fault or not, in an effort to obtain strong legal support. As a result, it appears to be nearly impossible for those working in this field to be completely correct.

Despite the fact that studying law is a very good area, there are many things that I wish I had done correctly or knew how to do better before enrolling in law school. These ten points, which I'll go through below, should be very helpful to high school graduates who are thinking about pursuing a law degree as well as to current law students who can connect to them.

  1. You had to wear a uniform frequently. I was unaware that I had to wear a uniform alongside my classmates before enrolling in law school, therefore I found this to be very foreign and challenging to adjust to. Following graduation, what you wear to work will also rely on the formality of your company. For example, most law firms do not allow employees to wear vivid colours to work. Female lawyers frequently express frustration with finding acceptable gowns and clothing to wear to work or school as well as establishing a professional wardrobe. After a few years of having trouble finding outfits for school, I've now reduced my entire wardrobe to mainly black and grey skirts and a tonne of blouses in neutral colours.
  2. Contrary to popular belief, lawyers are not often extremely wealthy, thus studying law does not make you affluent. After graduating and starting a job, you most likely won't be as wealthy as you anticipate. Although there are wealthy lawyers as well, I would say they are the ones at the pinnacle of their profession. This is not to say that lawyers are always impoverished. A job as a lawyer will provide you with the essentials you need to subsist while you work and, after a few years of arduous work, probably lead to financial success. If you decide to practise law because you believe it would make you wealthy, you can end up being quite dissatisfied, especially if you missed an opportunity to earn more money.
  3. Only if I had realised that attending law school is as demanding as any other job or field could I have avoided it. Being competitive with other students for the greatest scores throughout your studies keeps you on your toes in law school. There is a lot to learn in college, and some universities require you to study all facets of law in your first and second years. However, before you graduate, you are assigned to your various levels of knowledge. Seeing as how law school may be quite demanding and serious Prepare yourself and your mind for a lot of work if you plan to pursue a legal degree.
  4. Another thing I wish I had understood before enrolling in law school or a law degree is that law books are quite expensive. Books on law are quite pricey, just like books on medicine. I can recall a period when the cost of the legal textbook I had to purchase was almost as much as my tuition. If you want to study law, you must prepare both yourself and your pockets at the same time. You would spend a lot of money studying law because it takes a lot of books.
  5. There is no subject of study in which you are not required to take notes, but a law degree is a little unusual in that you must take notes whenever you have the chance. Take as many notepads and pens as you can on field trips and other professional excursions so you can take as many notes as you can because not everything will be taught to you in class. I once went on a school field trip with nothing but my clothing; I had no writing tools, so I had to start pleading with my fellow students for some paper and a pen. It was quite irritating and disorienting. 
  6. You won't spend much time in court once you graduate from law school, and you might not even set foot inside a courtroom for a very long time. Real-life legal practice rarely matches that which is shown in films and television. The majority of lawyers don't regularly appear in court to address juries in stirring speeches, but in actuality, not all law graduates are able to enter a courtroom to handle a case. Only helping a lawyer from your firm in court or simply being present to observe proceedings may be permitted of you.
  7. Getting a legal degree may not guarantee You are an expert: Even though you recently completed law school, you lack knowledge. That's how I felt the first time I assisted a lawyer from my firm in court; the procedure was somewhat different from what we were taught in school, and I felt like a complete moron as a result. You don't actually learn how to practise law in law school. At first, it could seem like almost every task you are given is something you have never done before. As a result, since no institution could possibly teach you everything you need to know about practising law, you must continue your education after graduation.
  8. Working overtime: Since lawyers occasionally have a lot of cases to manage and reports to write, there is no cap on the amount of time they can work. In situations like this, lawyers figuratively lose all sense of time. Lawyers are essentially unavailable for personal matters due to the long work hours that interfere with personal plans and schedules. There are a lot of difficult responsibilities behind all of that, not only how lawyers are depicted in movies and television shows.
  9. Competitive employment market: As more and more people enter the legal profession, it gets harder and harder to find a good job in this industry. Most people assume that because the legal profession is one of professionalism, finding employment will be simple. I won't say that's not entirely true, but finding a job after graduation works just like it does in every other field of employment. Another factor lessening the need for more lawyers is technology, as some of their functions are being replaced by technology.
  10. Lack of desire to consult a lawyer: Back when lawyers were still huge men and women and highly respected. Over time, though, individuals started to doubt their importance because so many clients are hesitant to spend a lot of money on legal advice and services. Online new technologies are currently being considered as a substitute for legal services. Therefore, there is a declining need for lawyers. While it is competitive to get clients, it is also crucial to raise the standard by offering benefits that rivals cannot offer at a reasonable price.

Despite the prestige and respect that a law degree confers, it is also fair to take into account some of the obstacles that stand in your way of being a successful lawyer. There are many hurdles, just like in any industry, but it is also reasonable to think about your enthusiasm before moving forward.

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