But, that also means you probably don’t have time to focus on your classes and get the best grades you can, so that becomes a problem. There are some 1Ls who come in and join every club and take on every pro-bono project, and in a way that’s great because you have a lot of stuff for your resume. Here’s what she had to say: When do you think the demand for law students to do extracurricular activities begins-1L or 2L year? Do you have any advice for 2Ls concerned that they did not do enough extracurricular activities as a 1L?Īs with many things in law school, this is always a challenge. I spoke with Alison Monahan to get her insights on how students can stay positive and productive while juggling life and law school.

Monahan says success in law school and life begins when students start asking: “what do I need to make the most of my experience?” and start recognizing when to ask for help. (Alison is also co-founder of law student resource websites the Law School Toolbox and the Bar Exam Toolbox, as well as law career website Trebuchet Legal.) She encourages law students to take a proactive approach to prioritizing their schedules in a realistic way, in order to have a healthy balance of schoolwork, professional development, and personal activities. There are endless pressures that come with juggling schoolwork, extracurricular activities, future career planning, and day-to-day life, which can take a toll on students if kept pent-up inside.Īlison Monahan, Columbia Law alumna and founder of law student support startup The Girl’s Guide to Law School, knows this struggle firsthand. Graduate work can be both a dynamic and isolating experience for students, with law school being no exception.

Something Better by Joanna Monahan