Charell chose to attend law school because she wanted to make a difference in the community and world around her. She talked about the importance of finding a community that offers you close communication with your professors and also for a community with a wide array of diversity, both of which she found by attending Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.
She stated that diversity is important because you have to surround yourself with people from different backgrounds and different stories, as this is what you will find when you get into professional practice.
Law school takes time, and Charell mentioned that she was surprised to find how long reading can take. As she has completed the first year, she has learned the process of retaining the information, not just regurgitating the information to the professor. Once you attain this insight for yourself, you too will find success.
Charell also mentioned that you have to have discipline to be successful in your first year and beyond. You have to find the right routine and follow that, managing your time and limiting distractions.
Charell was also surprised at the time it can take to get your grades back, and as a first year law student you have to manage your anxiety while you are waiting.
One of the quotes that Charell mentioned that everyone should live by was: "Your network is equal to your net worth." What she meant by this was that all law students must work form the beginning to create a network of professionals to learn from, as this will open up further opportunities for the future!
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Are you a practicing lawyer? A law student? Would you like to be a guest on an upcoming episode of the Law School Insider? Send me an email at lawschoolinsider@cooley.edu