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• Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD)
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How to Succeed

Best advice I received

Make an outline for every class. Even though it’s a long process, you will learn a lot more and retain it better. Also, take practice exams. You’ll be one hundred times better prepared and won’t be shocked during finals.
—Jazmine Abadia, JD’09

One of my professors during my first year advised me to take law school classes that were taught by professors I hadn’t had (never take the same professor twice), and in subject areas that I might not otherwise be interested in (take the most unique classes; you can learn the bar materials later). His reason: this would expose me to the greatest number of views of the law. This has given me a broader understanding of the law, because I can see how the same principles apply in many different fields, and I’ve gained a greater understanding of many different perspectives on the law.
—Kate Lee, JD’09

My dad’s three rules:

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff … and it’s all small stuff.
2. If it’s not fun, don’t do it.
3. Always tell the truth.

Words to live by.
—Larry Hagerman, JD’09

Best advice I give

The biggest factor in choosing a law school should be your comfort level with the school itself. You should visit schools you’re considering, talk to current students, and get a feel for the school’s culture. After all, you’re going to be spending the next three years living in this atmosphere; you want to be sure you’ll be happy.
—Kathleen Lee, JD’09

Make sure you go somewhere where you fit in. If you realize that you do not like the people, the town, or the atmosphere, don’t go there. Law school is not an overnight trip: it’s a three-year journey. So go where you will be able to find a niche. For me, that place is IU, and I hope that it’s your place, too.
—Jazmine Abadia, JD’09

Try not to come to law school hoping to find who you are, or you’ll probably have a hard time resisting the temptation to conform to someone else’s ideals. Know who you are. Know your values. Be happy being you.
—Larry Hagerman, JD’09

Take time off and work before law school.
—Rachael Yates, JD’09

If you have a family, make sure you make time for them while you’re in law school. It’s easy to promise that you’ll spend more time with them later, but life doesn’t ever really get any less busy. Form the habit now of putting your family first.
—Nate Hutchings, JD/MBA’09

Make sure you know you want to be here and know why you’re doing it because you need something to motivate you to do all this work.
—Andy Beyer, JD’08