Judge Napolitano: How I Survived Law School

By  //  March 2, 2021

Wanting a professional career in the field of law is no easy task. It takes several years of studying and perseverance to one day command the attention of a jury in a courtroom.

Those who choose to make the commitment to attend law school must comprehend the amount of work that is required.

Luckily, Fox News analyst Judge Napolitano has a few tips to share with law students to help them through the overwhelming workload. Although the stress and anxiety can mount for students over time, it will all be worth it once they finally earn that degree.

Andrew Napolitano graduated from Princeton University and the University of Notre Dame. From 1987-1995, he sat on the bench as the youngest life-tenured Superior Court judge in the history of the State of New Jersey.

During his time there, he presided over 150 jury trials while also participating in hearings, motions and sentencings. After closing the chapter on his judgeship, he became a constitutional law and jurisprudence professor for eleven years at Seton Hall Law School and for two years at Delaware Law School.

According to Brooklyn Law School, Napolitano’s students describe him as their “most outstanding professor.”

He is extremely passionate about human freedom and the rule of law, and is known as a “champion of personal freedom.” Through his many years of experience, he has plenty of advice to offer students who are just starting their journey through law school.

Here are some tips on how Judge Napolitano believes students can survive law school:

Take Notes

Diligent note-taking could save students enormous amounts of stress during midterms or finals. Since they get fed so much information at once, it is impossible to remember everything. By writing the important concepts down and explaining them, it will always be there for them to refer back to when needed. By reading a concept written in a student’s own words, it will help them better comprehend it. 

Get Involved in Study Groups

Students can really benefit from learning through their peers. By dividing up a large amount of work and outlining how to properly complete an assignment, it can really help students with time management. 

Participate in Class

It may seem scary at first, but it does not benefit students to hide in the back of the class and never raise their hand. By building up the courage to become a regular participant in class, it will help students gain a stronger sense of the subjects discussed. In addition, it will help better their relationship with their professors. 

Take Care of Your Mental Health

It is no secret, law school is extremely challenging. From time to time, students can feel their anxiety reach an unhealthy level. If that happens, students should confide in a counselor who can help them ease all of that stress. Before the anxiety begins to affect school work and personal relationships, it is best to get it taken care of.

Law school, despite the level of stress it can cause and the amount of work that is required to succeed is very manageable. Judge Napolitano wants to reassure students that the tough years are temporary, and in the end, it will all be worth it.

Students should consider the tips from this article in order to make the most out of their years at law school. For individuals who have a sincere passion to practice law and represent clients in a courtroom, the hard work to get there may seem grueling, but it will help lead them to their dream profession.