From Our Students: Life as a First-Year Law Student

I started my day around 6:30 AM, getting ready and packing for the day. Law school feels like a 9-to-5 job, so I spent most of my day on campus. Living in North Buffalo, I left around 8:00 to arrive on campus by 8:30. Arriving early helped me find convenient parking, allowing me to start the day smoothly. On campus, I met friends in the library for coffee and conversation before class. If I needed to “lock in” for the day, I would reserve a study carrel, which is a personal study room available through the library. 

My 1L classes were held between 9 and 4. Every 1L took the same courses, but my professors were determined by my section. About 25 students were in Section 1 with me, and we all took Legal Analysis Writing and Research (LAWR) together. LAWR classes lasted 1.5 hours, meeting twice weekly and running the whole year. Bar courses were 2 hours and 15 minutes long, with a ten-minute break, meeting twice a week and lasting a semester. My bar courses were combined with Section 2 or Sections 2 and 3. Check out the 1L Sample Schedule to see how a first-year schedule looks!

During breaks, I would have a “working lunch,” usually reviewing notes with classmates when a reading was difficult to understand. On nice days, I enjoyed lunch outdoors on the library patio. If I didn’t pack lunch, I would purchase food from the Student Union or One World Café. My favorite is the Greek bowl from One World—it's delicious and filling.

After classes, I would either head to my carrel or go home. I preferred doing my readings at home where I would dictate my notes. Dictating saved time and helped me rephrase cases for better understanding.

Some evenings, I attended a yoga class or went for a walk. Exercising helped me to stay healthy and spend time with my friends as we all went to yoga together at Power Yoga Buffalo.

I typically wrapped up my schoolwork by 7 pm, followed by dinner. I am a major foodie, so I enjoyed cooking and exploring new restaurants during my first year. Buffalo has plenty of options to choose from! During my first year I ordered from Wellington Pub, La Davina, or Wasabi.

I would usually end my night by watching TV or hanging out with my roommates, who provided a refreshing break from school as they were not students at the law school. I tried to be asleep by 10:30 to ensure I got a full 8 hours of rest, which was essential to avoid burnout and maintain my health during my first year.

During my first year, there were no classes on Fridays, which was a blessing when it came to completing coursework. I often went to campus and spent my day with my classmates from Section 1 on the 5th floor of the law library, accessible only to law students. Sometimes, we took turns bringing in donuts and coffee to share. I dedicated these days to researching, drafting, and editing my LAWR memos, as well as completing readings and outlining to free up my Saturdays. An outline would detail key rules and cases from the course, and for some exams, students could use their outlines, making the editing process a semester-long task.

Depending on school commitments, my weekend plans varied. I usually spent Saturday mornings doing schoolwork, allowing me to enjoy the rest of the weekend. Many Saturday nights were spent with friends, trying new restaurants, bowling, or having game nights.

I reserved Sundays as study-free days for grocery shopping, meal prepping, laundry, cleaning, or relaxing. Sundays were my “reset” days, preparing me for the week ahead. I found this super helpful because it freed up my time during the week, allowing me to dedicate my time solely to school.

Some weekends, I traveled home since I moved to Buffalo for school and was in a long-distance relationship. When I was home, I took the opportunity to see family and friends. In the week leading up to my travels, I ensured most of my schoolwork was done to lighten my workload while I was home. Balancing school with everything else was challenging, but staying on top of my schedule and taking it day by day helped me juggle everything.

I had always succeeded by studying with friends rather than alone. The culture at UB School of Law was collaborative and never competitive, so finding those in my class to study with was not difficult. My peers and I discussed cases or issues together, ensuring that we were all prepared in case we were called on during class. We reviewed practice essay and multiple-choice problems, and videos together on Quimbee, an online study aid for which I shared a subscription with another student.

As midterms and finals approached, I met with classmates to review outlines or do practice problems from supplemental books like Examples and Explanations. These books were available through the library and were great for preparing for exams where I needed to spot an issue and make an argument, which is a majority of first year exams.

During the fall and spring semesters, I had scheduled time off. The October break ran from Wednesday to Sunday. I used this time to work with classmates to review our outlines and ensure we hadn’t missed any topics. I also took time to relax and get ahead on readings for the following weeks. During spring break, I returned home, where I relaxed but also worked on my oral argument and final memo for LAWR, which are required for LAWR II. By my second semester, I felt more comfortable with outlining and balancing my course load, so I didn’t spend as much time on schoolwork as I did in the fall.

There are plenty of ways to become involved during the first year, and many events to attend. I will highlight these in an upcoming blog, so stay tuned! 

The first year of law school is a marathon, and it’s essential to set boundaries and take the time you need when necessary. This year is not only about learning how to read, write, research, and communicate like a lawyer; it’s also a pivotal period for establishing your routine. While it can be tough, navigating the challenges of the first year lays the foundation for your development as a lawyer. Finding a balance between your academic demands and personal life takes time, but by your second year, you will likely establish a routine that works for you, equipping you for future success. Remember, what works for one person may not work for another. As Professor Patrick Long wisely says, “Choose your own adventure.”