Law School and Traveling: Share Your Experience
As some of you may know from reading my Mid-Year Mileage & Life Report, I recently began law school. Actually, this is my first week…
I wanted to see how former law students (and current) balanced traveling and law school.
- Did you cut down on your travel plans?
- What about weekend trips?
- Did you study on the plane?
- Any tips?
As I said, I want to hear from previous law students. Friends and family members can chime in too. I have 9 upcoming trips between September and November. I don’t plan on adding any more trips until I have a better feel for law school. I didn’t have any problems during undergrad but of obviously, law school is supposed to be harder.
Please share your wisdom with me in the comments section – thanks!!!
Hello fellow P2B blogger,
Out of curiosity what law school are you going to? That makes a big difference in the assessment.
When I went to ASU our attendance policy was a little more liberal but I know the ABA is cracking down on that. My weekend trips were Vegas and California but I did keep my new year’s tradition alive by going to Mexico, Japan, Bahamas, for New Years because of the long winter breaks (and this was all before I even had serious points). I even deferred the bar exam when I graduated early to go to Rio.
Of course, this can all be found in my book. But from a law student to law professor, I’d say, depending on your study habits (can you cram?) that law school should give you more time/flexibility to travel especially if your school gives one exam per semester.
While I’m inclined to agree with Alexander, 9 trips over 3 months during law school is ambitious. Class attendance is one thing but the rigors of preparing for class and for the often-solo final exam should not be underestimated. Law school is a a massive time commitment and it’s not as easy to cram come finals. I do think that you can take good advantage of breaks if you can work hard while traveling. Thanksgiving (finals prep time) and the holidays are best. Over the holidays, you will only be concerned with landing that summer job, so you have a little more leniency. During Thanksgiving break, you’ll really feel pressure to prepare for finals. Honestly, the most important 3-4 months of your law school career, and potentially lawyer career, are the first 3-4. It’s those first semester grades that will determine whether you grade onto law review, whether you’re a top pick for a summer associate position, whether you graduate in the top 10% of your class, etc. Don’t take that responsibility lightly. Best of luck!
I don’t remember traveling a lot during the semester, but you will have a decent amount of free time after finals.
I worked F/T and had a long distance gf (now wife of 6 years) during law school. Similar to you, time management AND time efficiency is more important than ever.
My same 3 rules applied to law school as it did for undergrad:
1. Go to all your classes (this may be tough with so many trips).
2. Read everything you are assigned to read.
3. Get to know your professors; personalize the experience (tougher in 1L large lectures).
BONUS: Joining a group that has access to course outlines is VERY helpful, but don’t totally rely on them.
Where are you in Law School? I didn’t travel much in law school. The last week of college I was in a bad car accident – I had a brace on my back, an arm in a sling, a cast on my wrist, a severe concussion, a fractured hip, etc. I had to change my plans and go to law school near home and live with my parents. That basically took up the first year. after that, I concentrated on studying and hanging out with my law school friend. Actually, I just don’t remember.
Where are you in Law School? I didn’t travel much in law school. The last week of college I was in a bad car accident – I had a brace on my back, an arm in a sling, a cast on my wrist, a severe concussion, a fractured hip, etc. I had to change my plans and go to law school near home and live with my parents. That basically took up the first year. after that, I concentrated on studying and hanging out with my law school friend. Actually, I just don’t remember.
I don’t know about you but I went to a “hard” law school and I wouldn’t have thought to take trips that took me out of my classes. Knowing your profs is pretty important for certain things post-grad. I think you’d also come across pretty poorly to your fellow students (if you care about that) because they will all be in attendance. Also, don’t count on blind grading. Horror stories of low low grades at top schools for folks that didn’t participate (much less, not show up).
Agree with the first poster by the way. We’d need to know the institution (or the range at least) to give you a better handle on how much you should probably be on campus.
I appreciate everyone’s feedback! I won’t disclose the schools name for privacy reasons…but it’s a decent law school that is fairly well known. I won’t actually be missing class, all my trips will be during the weekend (FRI-SUN). I’m just concerned about how much time I will have to spend in the library researching or reading books. I won’t mind studying on the plane or at the AC though.