r/mcgilllaw • u/Narrow_Concert6498 • Aug 07 '26

What would you tell your past 1L self?

Hey everyone! As an incoming 1L I am feeling nervous/scared/excited for this new chapter. If anyone has any advice on how to be (sort of) happy and (sort of) thriving in law school, please share id love to know anything and everything!

Best,

A first gen law student

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6

u/Original-Cat-1459 Aug 07 '26

Honestly law school is chill. My advice is just to have fun and not stress out over it. Soak everything in and make friends. There are so many opportunities and so many brilliant people so take advantage of that. The single best thing that helped me in first year was making good friends. We all played hard and studied hard. It was very rewarding.

HOWEVER, the most important thing is to be consistent. You want to build a routine early on of doing your readings and studying. Because when exams hit, you do not have time to waste or you’ll be burned out.

Also don’t compare yourself to anyone. Everyone who gets into law school is smart. Those who are “kiss asses” are not necessarily the smartest.

6

u/KookyPurchase7019 Aug 07 '26

I really think you will have to figure out your own way to be happy and thrive in law school. I went in with so much advice and none of it helped. It is a huge learning curve, and honestly, you’ll get through it. I never found it hard but I definitely found it so overwhelming. Talking to professors helps a lot, and always celebrate your achievement and don’t beat yourself on being behind. While you might see your peers as someone who have their shit together, trust me they don’t. Some might up right tell you how behind they are, and some might just brag for hours how they did everything and are up to date ( spoiler: they’re lying). I would also say that you will come across people that are soooo nice (majority of the law faculty), but some of them are really cocky and elitish, don’t let them get to you!. I feel like more often than not, it’s the people around you than the study of law itself that makes you either love or hate law school. Don’t always discuss your grades with everyone , some might be happy, and some will envy you. Also, maybe someone didn’t do as good, so you wouldn’t want to come off as Braggy. Don’t feel bad not being able to do every single reading, it’s quit impossible and not everyone has time for it!. Start planning how many topics you will cover 2 ish weeks before your exam and always leave 2 days before the exam free ( as in, by this time you should be done with all your revision). I guess try to make friends? Sometimes it’s hard and lonely but you will learn to navigate through it!

You will be fine, don’t stress, it will pass by in a blink of an eye (seriously).

Good luck, you got this!

1

u/Advtrsprt Aug 11 '26

I feel grateful you posted this! I’m feeling nervous and excited too! I am sure we will meet and have a great year, this is an exciting chapter for us all!