How much do law students read in a week?
Asked by: Dr. Elsie Stiedemann Sr. | Last update: September 23, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (21 votes)
Some quick math would revel the minimum of 600 pages, then the maximum of 975. Subtract roughly 100 for the varied nature of the assignments and you'd realistically be looking at 500–875 pages per week. By the third year I was reading maybe half that amount. This is a photo of some of my law school texts.
How much reading per week in law school?
First-year law students should expect to commit an average of 30-40+ hours of studying per week (some advocating for more), with around 30-60 pages of reading per class each week. At the very least, some say that you should study for twice the amount of class time you have per semester.
How many pages a day do law students read?
Not count- ing legal research and writing assignments, most first year law students meet with three classes on average per weekday. Thus, an average reading load could range from thirty-six to over seventy-five pages of reading on "school nights" - well over 2,000 pages of dense reading a semester.
How much does the average lawyer read?
How much exactly will depend on the class, of course, but 50–100 pages of reading a night is not uncommon. However, you will also take special legal writing and academic support classes early on that teach you how to read cases and analyze information quickly.
How much do law students study per day?
Law Students' Average Daily Study Hours
All in all, however, law students typically spend around 30 – 40 hours per week studying. That may sound like a lot, but a good rule of thumb is that you should be studying at least two hours for every one hour of class time per week.
MY STUDY ROUTINE - study routine of a law student
What is the hardest year of law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
Is law school harder than graduate school?
Yes, grad school requires learning new approaches, new theories, new ways of thinking. Some of this even makes your head spin. But it simply doesn't require the same radical realignment that law school does. What you learned as an undergraduate applies to grad school — but not so much to law school.
Can a lawyer make $500,000 a year?
The reality is that most lawyers earn significantly less than half a million dollars each year. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for lawyers in 2022 was $135,740, with only the top 1% surpassing the $500,000 mark.
Is law school harder than college?
In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.
What is a good GPA for a lawyer?
Top-ranking law schools often expect higher average GPAs, typically ranging from 3.8 to 4.0 or even higher. They place a strong emphasis on academic excellence to complement strong LSAT scores.
Is law school a lot of memorization?
The type of memorization required for law school is a bit different than what you dealt with in undergrad and high school. You'll need to memorize a lot more in a shorter amount of time. And, beyond just memorizing rules and elements, you'll also be required to understand and apply what you've memorized.
How much homework do law students get?
Accordingly, homework tends to focus on reading casebooks and statutes to learn legal doctrines. As part of your assignment, you'll be expected to read and comprehend individual court cases and notes from the author or editor. Assignments may range from 40 pages to 100 pages of reading per class per week.
How much do law students spend on books?
Law school requires a multitude of textbooks, study materials, and supplies. According to the College Board, the average law student can expect to spend approximately $1,200 per year on books and supplies. Keep in mind that this figure may vary depending on your specific course requirements.
Is law school harder than med school?
Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.
What makes law school so hard?
First, the workload is heavy. Law school students are expected to read hundreds of pages of legal text each week, and they are often required to write long essays and research papers for their law school classes. Second, the material you'll need to learn to become a lawyer is complex and non-intuitive.
What is the Socratic method in law school?
Unlike college faculty and instructors, law professors teaching introductory law classes often use a pedagogical technique known as the Socratic method, which involves cold-calling on students and interrogating them about the facts and decisions in various court cases.
What is a first year law student called?
1L, 2L, 3L: In undergrad, your year in school is usually referred to as freshman, sophomore, etc. In law school, we use 1L to refer to first year, 2L to second year, 3L to third year. Your law school might have a part time division, and in that case, some students might be referred to as 4Ls as well.
Is law school a lot of reading?
The rumors are true: law school is a lot of work! You should expect to be assigned anywhere from 10 pages to 200 pages of reading for each class! Then, multiply that number by 4-5 classes, and each class will likely meet 2-3 times per week! This is in addition to other assignments that you will have to work on.
Is it hard to get all A's in law school?
If you are looking to get all A's in law school, you should know that it is difficult but very possible. Here I will tell you how I did it. I got all A's (three A-s) and 55% of my letter grades were A+'s. I was not the smartest person in my law school and I did not study 24/7.
How rich is the average lawyer?
In general, the five highest-paying states for lawyers are as follows: California ($201,530) Massachusetts ($196,230) New York ($188,900)
Is 700k a good salary?
Earning $700,000 a year would put your household in the top 1% nationwide — and well above the middle class — and in any state in the South or Midwest. But that still won't cut it in seven states. The Northeast dominates the rankings, with five of the 10 states with the highest 1% thresholds lying in this region.
Can lawyers make 7 figures?
Corporate Lawyer (Partner)
Though that's far from pocket change, it's certainly not landing you in the earnings tier of a millionaire. That said, corporate lawyers generally stand to make the most and can pull in seven figures a year — if they make partner.
Is a JD as hard as a PhD?
No, a JD is not equivalent to a PhD. PhDs require research, independent study, and thesis components that JDs do not.
How old are most law school graduates?
What Is The Average Age Of Law Students? The average age of law students is 25 or younger. Only 20% of law students are 30 or older. While only a small percentage of law students are above the age of 40, there have been several successful older graduates.
What is the hardest subject in a law degree?
- Constitutional Law.
- Civil Procedure.
- Contracts.
- Federal Courts.
- Federal Income Tax.
- Administrative Law.
- Partnership Tax.