Is it normal to struggle in law school?

Asked by: Deion Stoltenberg II  |  Last update: June 24, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (27 votes)

First, take some comfort in knowing that what you're feeling is normal. Everyone is trying to play it cool in law school…and everyone has moments of doubt, struggles with the material, and feels like they're in over their head sometimes. Second, you need to learn how to deal with your stress in healthy ways.

What is the hardest year in 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 it common to fail in law school?

Most law schools only kick out around 3% of the first class. So out of a class of 100 students, only three might go home, and usually, those three are really not great students.

Is it normal to feel lost in law school?

Confusion, to some degree, is very normal in law school. You might not be used to feeling confused in school − in fact, it may be a real change from your last four years of undergrad or from the consistency of a job you may have had before law school.

Is law school extremely difficult?

Law school is generally considered to be a very challenging academic experience for a number of different reasons. First, the workload is heavy.

Ask me about being a Non-traditional law student

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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.

How many hours do law students study a 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.

Is law school even worth it anymore?

The Bottom Line. Becoming a successful lawyer is one of the most lucrative career paths, if you graduate from a top-tier university. However, it's not a cheap path, and Ivy League law grads often graduate with six digits of loans.

How many law students fail out?

How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions. This article delves into the types of attrition, the schools with the highest rates, and the impact of these rates on student choices and institutional policies.

Can introverts survive law school?

Being an introvert in law school doesn't have to be a hindrance – it can actually be an advantage! By recognizing and embracing your unique strengths, leveraging your capacity for deep thinking, and finding a balance between social engagement and solitude, you can thrive academically and professionally in law school.

What is the hardest course in law school?

Some of the hardest classes in law school, according to current and former students, are:
  • Constitutional Law.
  • Civil Procedure.
  • Contracts.
  • Federal Courts.
  • Federal Income Tax.
  • Administrative Law.
  • Partnership Tax.

Do law schools reject quickly?

In rare cases, some applicants may receive an answer within a few weeks, but the process typically takes 2–4 months. If your application is placed on hold or if you are placed on a wait list then it may take several additional months to receive a final decision.

Is law school really stressful?

The combination of long hours, competing with peers, and pressure to perform at a high level can lead to law student burnout. Stress is also a key contributor. Unmanaged stress leads to burnout in any industry, and most law students report significant stress—even when compared to other graduate students.

How old are most law students?

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 type of lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

Is law school easier than college?

With the exception of legal research and writing courses, many law school classes don't have graded homework, and they have few, if any, quizzes. Don't be alarmed if you can't keep up the same fabulous GPA you had in undergrad. Law school is almost universally harder than college—but this is a good thing.

Is law school hard for everyone?

A law school's JD degree program is a specialized program that's not for the fickle. If you aren't prepared to open your mind, accept challenges and put in your best, you might end up frustrated by the experience–which means that law school isn't for everyone.

Do people fail classes in law school?

Indeed, many of the top law schools in the country no longer even use letter grades. That being said, at lower-ranked law schools, the attrition rate is often 10+%, with many people dropping out or being encouraged to leave on account of poor academic performance.

How many law students actually become lawyers?

[1] The numbers highlight an entry-level legal job market that is as robust as it has ever been. Almost 92% of law graduates found full-time, long-term employment, tied for the highest rate in more than 30 years. A record 78% of these graduates secured jobs that required a law license.

How do you know if law school is for you?

Shadowing attorneys and legal internships are the best gauge of whether law school is right for you. After seeing what typical weeks in the office are like for an attorney, you'll be able to gauge if law school is a good path for yourself.

Is law worth it in 2024?

Ultimately it boils down to what you want to do and why. Law is extremely worth it for some people for a range of reasons. Other times it isn't worth it at all. If you just want a quick paycheck and aren't actively interested in law specifically then do some research and decide if nursing or something else is better.

What is the dropout rate for law school?

The decision to attend law school shouldn't just be financially driven. You'll also want to consider the high dropout rates of law school, particularly among minorities. Overall, dropout rates are over 6% for first-year students. For American Indian, Hawaiian native, and Black students, the dropout rate is 11% to 13%.

What is the hardest part of law school?

One of the hardest parts of law school is the competition and the subsequent grade curve. In law school, you're competing against your peers. Competing for top grades, prestigious internships, positions in clubs and societies relevant to legal work, and more. The competition is stiff.

Can you have a life while in law school?

During exams, this won't be true. But during the semester, you can and need to have a life, for the sake of your sanity. I even went as far as getting a giant German Shepherd in law school. And somehow finding time to go to playgrounds.

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.