A Letter to My First Year Self

What I wish I could say to my first-year self.

Dear my first-year self,

First of all, congratulations! Finishing high school is an incredible feat and getting into Monash Law is incredible! Remember to take your time and to savour this moment. It is no secret that law school is hard, as there are many late nights, many tears and many, many, many cases to read. So, breathe, you did it. Time flies so fast during law school. So, it is important to slow down, smell the roses and enjoy the adventure while it lasts. You made it to where you want to be. Before you know it, you will be in your fourth year and almost ready to graduate and start your next big adventure.

Here are some things you should know as you embark on your law school journey:

Put yourself out there and make friends:

Remember to put yourself out there. Making friends during law school is so important. In first year, everyone is as scared and as nervous as you are. Something that I wish I did more frequently was approach people and simply say hello, as well as befriending a variety of my peers in my first year. Everyone is in the same boat and no one judges you for sitting next to them in class and introducing yourself. Everyone else is also probably too nervous to say hi, but they will be grateful if you introduce yourself first. Having a wide support network at law school is helpful, as it assures that you are bound to know someone in your classes beyond first year.

Friends at law school are essential. They understand the struggles of law school so you always have someone to talk to. Study sessions with friends are also the best. I love being able to meet with my friends so that we can discuss harder topics in our units. Being able to explain a topic, concept or case to a friend is a really beneficial learning tool.

Remember to rely on your friends and family for support. Law school is filled with many ups and downs and many difficult times. I would not have made it through four years without having friends to be able to rant to and even to help discuss difficult topics with. 

Don’t compare:

One thing that I know you will struggle with in first year (and also in second and third year as well) is falling into the toxic trap of constantly comparing yourself to others. You will wonder how you managed to get into Monash and how you measure up to everyone else. But, you will come to realise that these thoughts are not productive, although you wish you realised this in your first year. Nor are these thoughts unique. Everyone who goes through law school has their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as unique experiences with units, lecturers or university overall. Comparing yourself to others is futile and doesn’t make you a better law student. Trying your best, working hard on each unit and focusing on yourself will make you a good law student. You should strive to be a better law student for yourself, not for anyone else. You did the hard work in high school to get here, as did everyone else. But now, you get to work hard for yourself, so you can get where you want to be after graduation. This is no one’s race but your own!

Manage your expectations:

Another thing you should know is that law school is so incredibly different to high school. Nearly all law students are overachievers, so we always strive to get the absolute best  results possible. However, law school doesn’t remotely compare to high school, so it is useless to compare the marks and grades you were getting in high school to what you will get in law school. Getting a HD is so exciting and yet so hard to accomplish. So, there may be disappointments. But remember to rely on your friends and family when experiencing these disappointments. Remember to be kind to yourself and that support is always available. Remember that there will be other people who are also in the same boat as you. But, most importantly, remember that these grades do not define you and will not define the type of lawyer you will become.

So, remember, my first-year self, be proud and be bold. Take the time to truly be grateful and impressed that you have already achieved so much. Be excited for the adventure that awaits. Remember to keep being yourself and take time to do the things that you love (i.e., never stop listening to Taylor Swift). And remember, if you are struggling, to always reach out for support (please also see our resources page).

From, 

Emma

Written by Emma Mills