This summer has been exciting and challenging all at once. I think it’s hard to know what is coming your way during your first year of law school, even harder to prepare for your second, and your first summer can be just as daunting as the school year itself.
I was fortunate enough to find an incredible internship that challenges me, teaches me, and genuinely excites me every day. Not every 1L is fortunate enough to find something that feels like the perfect fit during their first summer, but that is also what makes this season so important.
Your first summer is about trying new things. It is about trial and error, discovering what you enjoy, and finding out what kind of lawyer you might want to become. It is your first opportunity to put the legal skills you’ve spent an entire year developing into practice while also learning and exercising new legal muscles entirely. It is intimidating, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
In just a few short weeks, I have learned so much and finally feel like I am applying what I spent my first year studying. There is a saying that you don’t learn how to practice law in law school, and I have found that to be incredibly true. Law school gives you the foundation, but learning how to practice comes from the opportunities you pursue and the mentors and teachers you meet along the way.
Your first summer can be the place where you discover what you want to spend your career doing. It can shape where you hope to intern next summer or even where you aspire to work after graduation. It is one of the first major steps toward building your legal career, which is why I think it is so important to pursue something that genuinely interests you. Even if you discover it isn’t the right fit, that is still valuable. Every experience teaches you something about the kind of lawyer you want to become.
I have also had the unique opportunity to spend my summer working in video game law, which has been absolutely fascinating. It has made me even more excited to check out Impartial’s criminal justice video game and see how gaming can be used as a tool for education. The impact of gaming is vast, and I truly believe it will become an increasingly important way to teach, engage, and inspire people in the years ahead. I can’t wait to see how the game continues to grow.
That being said, summer is not just about work. Burnout is real, especially after the intensity of 1L year. Summer should also be a time to recharge. Go on the family vacation. Spend time with friends. Read a book that isn’t assigned. Get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Once the school year starts, free time becomes much harder to come by.
One of the most important lessons I have learned so far is that success in law school, and in any career, isn’t just about working hard; it is about finding balance. Making time for yourself allows you to come back refreshed, motivated, and ready for whatever comes next. I can’t wait to begin my second year of law school in just a few weeks while starting another internship at the same time. More learning awaits!
