Prep, Minus the Pressure: A Summer Guide for Incoming Law Students

As August rolls in, you might be wondering—why a summer guide now? After all, you've already done the hard part. You earned the grades, powered through endless LSAT prep, revised your personal statement until the margins blurred, and spent months researching and applying to law schools. Now, you’re standing at the threshold of your 1L year, the payoff for all of that effort finally within reach.

I remember the summer before my 1L year distinctly. I was convinced I needed to become an expert in torts, contracts, and criminal law before setting foot in the classroom, but I had no idea where to begin. As a music major who had spent far more time in practice rooms than in the courtroom, I doubted whether a few short months could prepare me for what was ahead. 

That feeling of being academically out of place before I had even started is something I now recognize as common and entirely normal. And yet, while there is no shortage of blogs, articles, books, and Reddit threads dedicated to navigating the law school application process, there is far less guidance on how to spend these final weeks before law school begins. In my role as an Assistant Professor of Legal Studies and a pre-law advisor, I spend countless hours speaking with students about how to get into law school, but I’m far less often asked how to prepare for success once you’re actually there. 

This quiet stretch of summer is a unique moment, full of potential, yet often overlooked. It’s a chance to shift gears gently, to start engaging with the legal profession in a way that is thoughtful but low-pressure. Before the casebooks arrive and the cold calls begin, use this space to begin thinking like a law student, and more importantly, like a lawyer.

So, if there is one thing I can do for those of you preparing to start your legal journey this month, it’s to provide you with a guide to help you prepare for that often opaque first year of law school. This is not the usual advice like reading for pleasure or taking time to relax (which I hope you have already embraced this summer). Instead, these are low-stakes ways to start engaging with the legal profession and begin thinking like a lawyer so you can hit the ground running in the fall without burning out before the semester begins. It is less preparation in the traditional sense, and more an orientation designed to ease you into the transition with a greater sense of confidence and clarity.

With that in mind, here are some intentional, manageable steps you can take this month to begin cultivating the skills and mindset that will serve you well during your first year of law school:

Add these books to your bookshelf.

To start thinking like a law student and lawyer, I recommend a few essential reads. My first recommendation is How to Be Sort of Happy in Law School by Professor Kathryne M. Young, which offers practical advice and encouragement tailored specifically to the law school experience. I love this book because instead of assuming her readers should all aspire to the same notions of legal success, Professor Young encourages students to approach law school on their own terms—something I wish I had been confident enough to do earlier in my legal career. What sets this book apart is Professor Young’s dedication not only to equipping law students with the skills to read SCOTUS opinions and write briefs, but also to helping them find genuine happiness and a sense of purpose throughout the daily challenges of law school.

My next recommendation is Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About the American Legal System by Jay M. Feinman. I assign this book to all of my pre-law students because it offers a clear, accessible overview of the legal system and foundational concepts you'll encounter in your 1L year. Each chapter introduces a core law school subject through engaging questions and real cases, making complex material surprisingly enjoyable. In fact, multiple students have told me it was their favorite book they read as an undergraduate, which I attribute to the fact that each of the substantive chapters engages readers by asking them to think creatively about tough legal questions. And as Professor Feinman writes, “You will have some fun along the way as well, because the situations the law deals with are always interesting and sometimes amusing or outrageous.” 

Engage with legal podcasts. 

If you are a podcast fanatic like me, you’ll love having a few new shows to add to your Spotify library. Podcasts are a fantastic way to absorb legal culture and start thinking like a lawyer in a relaxed, accessible format. Strict Scrutiny, The Law School Toolbox, and Above the Law - Thinking Like a Lawyer each offer unique insights into law school life, current legal issues, and the legal profession more broadly. Listening regularly can help you build familiarity with legal vocabulary, sharpen critical thinking skills, and engage with the profession even before classes start. With episodes like “Hunger Games for Legal Hackery” and “Thriving in Law School with ADHD,” these three podcast series offer something for everyone, whether you're looking to better understand the culture of legal education, gather practical tips, or hear honest, relatable conversations about the law school experience. As the hosts of Strict Scrutiny put it: “Whether you’re a lawyer or law student, or you’re just here for the messy legal drama,” these podcasts have you covered.

Reach out to current students or recent graduates. 

There is no substitute for firsthand insight. Connecting with current law students or recent graduates can offer invaluable perspective on what to expect and how to prepare. Many admissions offices can help connect you with students willing to share their experiences. When reaching out to your law school, ask if any rising 2Ls in particular would be willing to email, Zoom, or hop on a phone call. If you live near your law school, you may even consider inviting the student for coffee or lunch. Regardless of the format, be sure to ask questions like: What were your expectations going into law school, and how did they change? How did you spend the summer before your 1L year and is there anything you wish you had done differently? These conversations can help you feel more prepared for the journey ahead. Plus, it is a great way to start building your legal network. 

You can also connect with current students through Ms. JD’s free online community. Join here and use the different affinity groups to chat with other rising 1Ls, law students, and recent graduates at your law school or in your region. Groups like “1st Generation College Students” or “Parents” can help you find students with a similar background to yours, who can give advice on some of the more specific challenges you may face.

Practice reading legal materials. 

You don’t need to be diving into full casebooks yet, but try familiarizing yourself with good legal writing by reading sample cases, legal memos, or appellate briefs online. Websites like Justia or the Legal Information Institute offer free access to court opinions. This process can help you get comfortable with legal language and the structure of legal arguments, making the transition to case reading less intimidating. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention Professor Orin S. Kerr’s widely shared guide, How to Read a Legal Opinion. This concise yet invaluable article guides students through the anatomy of a judicial opinion, breaking down each component—from caption to holding—in a clear and accessible manner. Professor Kerr introduces common legal terms and structures that can otherwise feel overwhelming to a new law student. Perhaps most importantly, he offers practical strategies for approaching dense, often lengthy opinions and distilling them into manageable parts. Whether you're reading your first case or trying to make sense of a hundred-page appellate decision, this guide is an essential primer for learning how to think critically about legal texts from day one.

Go to court – really! 

One of the simplest and most eye-opening ways to start engaging with the legal world is to spend some time in a courtroom. Most courts are open to the public, allowing you to observe real proceedings and get a feel for how the justice system operates. Find the court’s daily docket online (e.g., the DC Superior Court Daily Docket) to see which cases are being heard, when, and in which courtroom. The summer before I started law school, I spent several afternoons at my local courthouse, moving from room to room and watching different stages of litigation unfold. Over time, I began to pick up on the language of the courtroom, the rhythm of proceedings, and the professional norms that govern legal advocacy. Watching lawyers in action during trials, hearings, and motion arguments offered a practical preview of the profession I was about to enter. It's one of the most informal and hands-on ways to begin connecting with the legal profession before your first day of class.

Spend time “unlearning.” 

The study habits and approaches that worked in college won’t necessarily serve you well in law school. Law school demands a different kind of reading, analysis, and critical thinking. This summer, begin to shift your mindset from memorizing facts to engaging with complex legal reasoning. “Unlearning” old study methods and embracing new strategies is a crucial step toward academic success. Georgetown Law offers a great handout on Ten Tips for Transitioning to Legal Writing, emphasizing that legal writing is a completely new discipline, which means you should “plan to rely on certain qualities of writing you have previously honed, but be prepared to shed some bad habits and develop better ones.” Starting this process early will ease your transition and help you find your own rhythm in the unique law school environment. 

As you get ready to step into your 1L year, remember that preparation for life in law isn’t just about mastering legal doctrine; it’s about developing the mindset, habits, and perspective that will carry you through the challenges ahead. The legal profession is demanding, but it is also deeply rewarding. The way you begin can set the tone for what is to come. I hope that this guide offers you not just resources, but reassurance: that you don’t need to have it all figured out before the first day of class. Engaging with the law in small, intentional ways this summer can help you enter the semester with greater confidence, curiosity, and a clearer sense of purpose. You’ve already done the hard work to get here—so trust that with the knowledge and skills you’ve built, along with this toolkit, you are well-equipped to rise to the demands of law school. 

Shea Holman is an Assistant Professor of Legal Studies at George Mason University, where she teaches various law and government courses and guides students through the Jurisprudence Learning Community (JPLC). She also serves as a member of the Schar School of Policy and Government’s Gender and Policy Center advisory board, contributing her expertise to advancing gender equity in policy and governance. Outside of George Mason, Shea serves as Counsel at the Purple Method, providing strategic legal guidance, overseeing policy development, and collaborating with stakeholders to create safer and more equitable workplaces.