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5 New Year's Resolutions Law Students Should Actually Keep

By George Khoury, Esq. on January 09, 2019 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Every year law students across the country, just like normal everyday people and actual lawyers, set New Year's resolutions that will probably fail or putter out after a few months, weeks, days, or hours. After all, you only get what you give.

Don't worry, it's not too late if you forgot. And, if you're going to go through the ritualistic exercise this year and attempt to better yourself, the five resolutions below may serve you well:

1. Don't Give Up

Seriously, whatever it was that you were considering giving up on, don't do it. Especially law school, or your dreams of becoming a lawyer. However, if there are certain things holding you back from giving law school your all or threatening your future success, then perhaps change this one to "Give up (fill in the blank)."

2. Meet More of Your Peers

Law students should take advantage of the fact that they are surrounded by potentially like-minded people. Your new best friend, or someone who helps you score your dream GC job a decade later, might just be in the other section and you'll never meet them unless you're willing to put yourself out there and meet more of your peers.

3. Study Smarter

You know the saying "work smarter, not harder"? Well, the same can be applied to studying, but should maybe be adjusted to "study smarter and just as hard as before and thanks to the fact that you're doing it smarter, you'll get more done and do even better."

What does studying smarter look like? That depends on each individual's needs and learning style.

4. Connect With Friends and Family More

Law school can feel awfully isolating. Keeping in touch regularly with your family and pre-law school friends is a good way to keep you grounded in the real world and remind you why you're doing what you're doing.

While the legal job market may have shown some signs of starting to turn around, there's no guarantee of a job out there for anyone these days. Law students should really start thinking about their careers as early as possible (doing the things like volunteering, attending events or conferences, and taking clinical and practical skills courses) in order to get the experience needed to get those entry level jobs that curiously require experience.

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