How to Survive Law School

Congratulations - you've been accepted into law school. Of course, now the real work begins. You'll need to be at your best from the very beginning to successfully meet the academic challenges that lie ahead. Learn what you can do to not only survive, but thrive in law school.

Be Ready

Many students accepted into law programs breezed through undergrad study with honors. Law school, though, represents new challenges and approaches to learning. Before your program begins, familiarize yourself with briefs, outlines, the Socratic method and other elements of a legal education. There are many available resources that cover this information in depth; you can visit the American Bar Association's website for more info.

Get a Great Start

Your first year of law school is especially important. Concepts you learn at this time will inform coursework in your second and third years of school. Also, your grades will help determine whether you are eligible for associate positions, law reviews or moot court. These are opportunities that can help jump-start your career.

Be Prepared for Class

Professors in law programs typically utilize the Socratic method during class time. This manner of questioning an individual student is intended to gauge his or her understanding of legal matters. While it's important to demonstrate competence when called on, it's also important to know that virtually all students falter at one time or another.

Strategize Course Outlines

Creating an outline is an important element of each law class. This document - which incorporates ideas from lectures, readings and other sources - represents an excellent study tool for exams. Students usually generate their own outlines, sometimes incorporating ideas from peer and commercial resources.

Consider a Study Group

If it suits your style of learning, join with a group of three or four other students to form a study group. Group sessions can be an effective way to get diverse perspectives on material as you build experience explaining your own legal interpretations. Many group members also exchange outlines with one another to help fill in knowledge areas.

Keep Up on Reading

Law school entails a great deal of reading. You are responsible for reading hundreds of judicial decisions in casebooks to foster your legal understanding. This assigned reading is constant, so not doing it one week means you'll have double the amount the next.

Perfect Your Note-Taking Style

Because you're responsible for so much material in law school, it's important to be effective in your note-taking. Some students prefer to take notes as they read individual cases; others like to get through a whole section of cases to gain context before going back to take notes. Whatever your method, be sure it's efficient.

Practice Answering Questions

It's one thing to know material, but it's another to be able to show it. In law school, exams make up almost the entirety of your grade. That's why it's important to fully answer questions in the expected format. Complete practice tests before actual exams so you have experience crafting the type of responses professors are looking for.

Find Student Mentors

Particularly in your first year of law school, try getting to know older students who can share information about year one. These individuals may have thoughts on everything from professors' personality quirks to procedures in place at your school.

Care for Yourself

Time is scarce, sure, but don't neglect getting the sleep, nutrition and downtime you need. If you don't take care of yourself in these basic ways, it's virtually impossible to perform at your best. At this level of education, you need every advantage you can get.

Starting to think about specialty areas? Don't miss this article on the different fields of law.

Law Schools in Colorado Springs with Degree Program Descriptions

There are 2 colleges within 100 miles of Colorado Springs, Colorado, that have law schools. Read an overview of both schools' programs, requirements and admission info and find out which school is the right one for you.

Law School Options in the Colorado Springs Area

Students who wish to study law in Colorado Springs have limited options, since there are just 2 law schools within 100 miles of the city. The University of Denver (UD), home to the Sturm College of Law, offers a selection of law degrees for students to choose from, including Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), and Master of Science. Colorado Law at the University of Colorado - Boulder is among the nation's top public law schools, and it administers a JD program along with LLM and dual degree programs.

	University of Denver	University of Colorado - Boulder
Law Degree Programs Offered	Master of Science in Legal Administration,  Juris Doctor, Juris Doctor and Master of Arts Dual Degree, Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration (MBA) Dual Degree,  Master of Laws in Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy, Master of Laws in International Business Transactions	Juris Doctor,  JD/Bachelor of Laws,  JD/MBA,  JD/Master in Environmental Studies or Doctorate in Environmental Studies, JD/Master of Public Administration, JD/Master of Science in Telecommunications, JD/Master of Urban and Regional Planning,  JD/Doctor of Medicine,  Master of Laws in Entrepreneurial Law,  Master of Laws in Information Technology & Intellectual Property Law,  Master of Laws in Natural Resources Law
Related Programs Offered	Legal Administration Certificate	American Indian Law Certificate, Entrepreneurial Law Certificate, Graduate Energy Certificate, Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Environment, Policy and Society,  Juvenile and Family Law Certificate
School Type	4-year, private, not-for-profit	4-year, public
Total Enrollment (2011)	11,797*	32,558*
Campus Setting	Large city	Small city
Tuition & Fees (full-time, 2011-2012)	$38,502***	$31,044 for in-state students; $37,542 for out-of-state students***
Acceptance Rate (2011-2012)	40.7%***	30.1%***
Relevant Facilities and Resources	Westminster Law Library, CaseMap database technology	William A. Wise Law Library, Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship, Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment, Byron White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law
Noteworthy	Top 100 Law School, Chancellor Scholarship for first-year students	Top 50 Law School,  40 student organizations,  Career Development Office
Distance from Downtown Colorado Springs (Driving Time)	65 mi. (1 hr. 5 min.)	97.4 mi. (1 hr. 38 min.)

Source: *National Center for Education Statistics, College Navigator, **University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, ***U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools 2012, ****University of Colorado - Boulder, Colorado Law

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Degrees at University of Denver

The University of Denver is a private institution that enrolls nearly 12,000 students a year. The university's law school, Sturm College of Law, was established in 1892. In 2012, U.S. News & World Report ranked it #69 among U.S. law schools. (The American Bar Association accredits 202 law schools.)

Master of Science in Legal Administration

This 36-credit-hour program prepares students to manage legal organizations. Applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), GMAT or GRE before enrolling, and a bachelor's degree is required. Students select from concentrations in international court, law firm, and court administration. The program can be taken on campus or online, with a 10-week externship required for graduation. This program does not qualify someone to be a lawyer.

Juris Doctor

The JD program is for aspiring attorneys. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in any major from an accredited institution, in addition to having taken the LSAT. The program offers specializations in international, corporate, workplace, constitutional rights, and environmental law. First-year students can connect with Peer Mentors (second- and -third year students) who help them orient to law school. The introductory curriculum introduces them to criminal and constitutional law, civil procedure, torts, and contracts.

Juris Doctor and Master of Arts Dual Degree

This program allows students to earn both JD and MA degrees in 4 years. Master of Arts programs are provided through UD's Josef Korbel School of International Studies. M.A. fields of study include human rights, global health, and international security. Students must be admitted to each school separately.

Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration Dual Degree

This dual degree program, offered in conjunction with UD's Daniels College of Business, prepares students for the legal complexities of the international business market. In addition to law training, participants examine areas such as sustainability in business, finance, information technology, and public policy. Students can complete both JD and MBA degrees in as little as 4 years.

Master of Laws in Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy

This degree program is open to those with a JD degree. Participants can focus on international or U.S. law with more than 30 courses to choose from, including animal rights, energy law, Indian tribal law, environmental ethics, wildlife law, and oil and gas law. There are also opportunities to participate in theWater Law Review professional journal or the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. Students may also gain hands-on case experience through the school's Environmental Law Clinic.

Master of Laws in International Business Transactions

Students who already hold a JD can apply for admission to this program that focuses on global business laws. It can be completed in 1-3 years, depending on full- or part-time status. Courses include negotiations, corporate drafting, and contracts drafting.

Degrees at University of Colorado - Boulder

U.S. News & World Report ranked UC - Boulder as #44 on its 2012 Best Law Schools list. With 551 students, Colorado Law has a student-faculty ratio of less than 10:1. Law students have access to three research centers and can participate in three journals. Applicants to the dual degree programs need to apply to and be admitted by the separate schools offering the respective programs. The full-time Master of Laws programs take 12-14 months to complete.

Juris Doctor

Aspiring lawyers have two JD options to choose from, including a traditional 3-year or a 2.5-year program. Graduating a semester early can allow students to save on tuition and start their career sooner, but the extra semester gives students more time to take electives and plan for their career. Law specialties within the JD program include environment, policy, and society; juvenile and family law; tax emphasis; American Indian Law; and entrepreneurial law.

Juris Doctor/Bachelor of Laws

In conjunction with the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, UC Boulder offers this 4-year program so graduates can practice law in the U.S. and Canada. Learned concepts include insurance litigation, cross-border securities, subrogation, and real estate law, among other topics. Having both degrees can give students an edge when looking for jobs, since they'll be able to oversee transnational business.

Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration

Some specializations within this 4-year program include legislative, labor or shareholder relations, risk analysis, and lobbying. Graduates learn about both legal and business concepts so they can counsel various clients, such as securities specialists and chief executive officers. Leeds School of Business administers the MBA program.

Juris Doctor/Master in Environmental Studies or JD/Doctorate in Environmental Studies

Within 4 years, graduates can earn the JD and Master in Environmental Studies. An extra year can lead to a doctorate. Colorado Law and the Environmental Studies Program make sure core topics cover important topics in both law and natural and environmental sciences, such as climate change law and environmental science and philosophy. Job opportunities may be found in non-profit organizations, government agencies, law firms or industry companies.

Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration

The interdisciplinary program offered in partnership with the School of Public Affairs lasts 4 years. Law students can concentrate in homeland security and emergency management, domestic violence, environmental policy and management, and local government.

Juris Doctor/Master of Science in Telecommunications

The Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program lets students pursue the M.S. in conjunction with the JD to prepare for careers in such areas as IT law, intellectual property, or patents. Students in the 4-year program learn how the law relates to networking and communications technologies.

Juris Doctor/Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Law students interested in learning how programs arise in regional and urban areas could consider this 4-year option. They'll also learn how to plan environments in anticipation of ecological and human needs. Along with Colorado Law, the College of Architecture and Planning helps graduates focus on law and economic development.

Juris Doctor/Doctor of Medicine

The School of Medicine and Colorado Law offer this 6-year program, which helps students develop lifelong research skills. Students analyze the healthcare industry and how it's legally and financially organized.

Master of Laws in Entrepreneurial Law

Colorado Law is one of the country's few schools to offer the entrepreneurial law LLM to attorneys. Graduates can provide in- or outside counsel to growing companies, and they take such courses as business planning, employment law, and legal negotiation.

Master of Laws in Information Technology & Intellectual Property Law

Concentrations are available in intellectual property or privacy and cybersecurity. Course topics could include patent law, copyright, and computer crime. Lawyers can help companies protect their intellectual property with this degree.

Master of Laws in Natural Resources Law

Attorneys who want to work in or teach natural resources law can choose from concentrations in natural resources, tribal resources and water, climate, public lands, and energy. This program is nationally ranked among the best in the U.S., and the location of the law school helps make it a prime environment to study this type of law.