Monterey Times

A new year means the start of a new semester at San Joaquin College of Law and the opportunity to implement good study habits, time management, and more. As you settle in and adjust to your law school routine, it's important to set goals to help you stay focused, motivated, and on track to reach your goals. 

Whether you're a first-year law student or a 4L, there's always room for growth, and continuous self-improvement will benefit you long after you've walked across that graduation stage. From getting organized to networking with peers and colleagues, here are some law school resolutions to help you prepare for a successful semester. 

Get Organized and Manage Your Time in Law School 

As a law student, we know you have a lot on your plate - from classes and outlines to extracurricular activities with our student organizations or internships. But with organization and time management, you can tackle your to-do list and reduce stressful days throughout the semester.

Creating a schedule that lays out your classes, study sessions, and deadlines and sticking to it as much as possible is a great first step. You can use a planner or calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines and schedule time for self-care and family events.

Prioritize your tasks, tackle the most important ones first, and don't be afraid to ask for help when needed. Our faculty and staff are always here to answer any questions. You can schedule a meeting with our Dean of Students, Logan Tennerelli, or our Academic Dean, Justin Atkinson, to discuss more in-depth questions or concerns.

This tip helped our Class of 2022 Valedictorian, Jesica Gonzalez (J.D. 22), who said proactive planning and early preparation for readings and outlines helped prevent overwhelming catch-up sessions later in the semester. Not only was this strategy more manageable for Jesica, but starting ahead also reduced her stress and set her up for a smooth semester.  

"My experience with the professors and students at SCJL was great. From the very first moment I walked into SJCL, I quickly felt welcomed by everyone," Gonzalez said. 

"The professors were always available in person, through email, or a phone call—which I believe is crucial in law school. At times, during my 1L year, I would call my Legal Methods professor between my lunch hour and discuss assignments with her. It is so important to be able to discuss concepts and ideas with your professors so easily, and I'm thankful we had that opportunity at SJCL."

Build Professional Relationships and Network With Peers

Investing in your professional growth by building relationships with your law school peers and networking with future colleagues in the legal field is a resolution that can pay off for the rest of your career. Networking can open up a world of possibilities, from internships and job opportunities to valuable insights and advice to excel in your legal career.

Whether you join professional organizations, find a mentor, or attend local networking events, these are all great ways to connect with other attorneys and legal professionals. Building connections and fostering relationships in law school will not only provide valuable advice and opportunities but may also lead to working with or against familiar faces later on.

Jonathan Echols (J.D.' 14) is a San Joaquin College of Law alumni who recently launched a software business with his wife, Cinderela Ivory Y. Co (J.D.' 15). Both agreed that having a strong network and positive reputation can go a long way in your career, especially in a smaller legal community like the Central Valley.

"Reputation is everything, especially in an area like Fresno, because we have a big legal presence of alumni in the Central Valley," Echols said.

"It's not as big as it would be in a city like Los Angeles, so you're going to have to do business with the same people on a regular basis, especially if you're in the same field of work. Word gets around in your profession about how you operate and your integrity. Having networks and people that will vouch for you will go a long way for you in your legal career."

Ivory Y. Co adds: 

"Do not limit yourself to a small circle of people. Join student organizations and interest groups, work as an intern, or even volunteer. It's a great starting point and it could lead you to further your career. If you make yourself known, you will get noticed. The more extensive your network, the stronger your marketability as an attorney. Your biggest product is yourself, so invest greatly in yourself and make yourself stand out. You will be your own brand in the legal field, and you will reap the rewards you sow now."

Prioritize Your Mental and Physical Health

Starting a new semester in law school can feel overwhelming, but setting a resolution to prioritize your mental and physical health is a step in the right direction. Not only will taking care of yourself first help improve your performance in law school, but it's also essential to your overall well-being.

Exercising regularly, eating well, and taking the time to relax and practice self-care can go a long way. By prioritizing your mental and physical health, you'll be able to tackle the challenges of law school with a clear mind and a strong body.

Gail Zurek is a current San Joaquin College of Law student, a wife, a mom, and the President & CEO of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce. Her advice for maintaining balance is setting realistic goals and being honest with yourself. Her process includes creating an overview of her schedule in Excel, including specific time slots for studying and responding to emails, which helps her stay on track.

"I think you have to set realistic goals and be honest with yourself about what it takes to do law school." Beginning my third year, I think the Achilles heel of most working students is to think you're going to do 100% all the time, and you can't," Zurek said.

"It's about knowing yourself and maximizing the times where you're most productive. If I know I'm not going to be particularly effective at 6 o'clock at night on Saturdays, then I know that's going to be my time to sit on the couch with my husband and watch T.V. because I need that time as much as he does. So it's best to be realistic about where those blocks fit."

Seek Help and Support When You Need It

As you settle into a new semester, we encourage you to reach out for assistance when you're feeling overwhelmed or if you need guidance on a certain subject. We understand that law school can be challenging, but our staff, faculty, and Deans are here to support and guide you and provide resources to help you excel. Take advantage of office hours, study groups, and quiet study places in the Library to get the help you need to achieve your academic goals.

Our New American Legal Clinic Staff Attorney and alumna, Jessica Jaramillo Perez (J.D.' 21), said our dedication to the success of our students is what sets us apart and helps law students balance their personal and academic lives.

"Everybody here at the school wants what's best for you, from the administration to the faculty," Perez said. 

"They want you to be successful. They were all very understanding of the fact that we have lives outside of school. We're adults, some of us work and some of us are also parents. So I really appreciated the support and the understanding that they gave through law school."

Set Yourself Up for Success in Law School

The new semester marks a new beginning, and you can set yourself up for success by setting clear goals. Take control of your time, build professional relationships, prioritize your mental and physical health, and don't hesitate to reach out for support when needed. Implementing these strategies will lay the groundwork for a rewarding law school experience.

Want to hear what law school is really like from our students? Attend our free Law School 101 to get all your questions answered, or set up an appointment with our Admissions team! Contact our Assistant Director of Admissions, Francisco "Javier" Rosas, or our Director of Admissions, Diane Steel, today.

Original source can be found here.