Navigating (Law) School with a Full-Time Job: Strategies for Success

Practical advice for balancing law school with a demanding full-time job

Balancing law school with a full-time job is no small feat. It’s a juggling act that requires dedication, discipline, and a fair amount of coffee.

But here’s the thing: it’s entirely possible to succeed at both if you have the right strategies in place.

Whether you’re just starting your law school journey or you’re already deep into the grind, this guide will help you manage your time, energy, and priorities to thrive in both arenas.

Understanding the Challenge

Let’s start by acknowledging that balancing law school with a full-time job is challenging.

Law school is demanding on its own, with a heavy workload, intense reading assignments, and the pressure to perform well academically. Adding a full-time job into the mix means that your time and energy are spread even thinner.

However, this challenge is not impossible. Many people have successfully navigated law school while working full-time (hello!), and you can too. It’s all about finding the right balance and developing strategies that work for you.

Why Balance Is Important

Before diving into specific strategies, it’s important to understand why balance is crucial. Without a sense of balance, it’s easy to burn out, fall behind, or feel overwhelmed.

Balancing your responsibilities ensures that you’re able to maintain your mental and physical health, perform well at work and school, and still find time for yourself and your loved ones.

Achieving balance doesn’t mean that every day will be perfect or that you won’t have moments of stress. But it does mean that you’re managing your time and energy in a way that allows you to meet your obligations without sacrificing your well-being.

Strategies for Balancing Law School with a Full-Time Job

Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s dive into the practical strategies that will help you successfully balance law school with a full-time job.

1. Create a Realistic Schedule

The first and most important step is to create a realistic schedule that takes into account all of your commitments. This includes your work hours, class times, study sessions, and personal time. A well-organised schedule is your roadmap to success, helping you stay on track and manage your time effectively.

Tips for Creating Your Schedule:

• Use a Planner: Whether it’s a physical planner, a digital calendar, or an app, find a system that works for you and stick to it. Block out time for all your activities, including work, classes, studying, and self-care. I personally love using Notion.
• Be Realistic: Don’t overload your schedule. It’s important to be realistic about how much you can accomplish in a day. Overcommitting will only lead to burnout (trust me on this one who has been there, done that).
• Prioritise Tasks: Identify your most important tasks and make sure they get done first. This could mean studying for an upcoming exam, finishing a work project, or attending a critical class.
• Include Breaks: Schedule regular breaks to recharge. Even short breaks can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.

2. Communicate with Your Employer

If you’re working full-time while attending law school, it’s essential to communicate with your employer about your situation. This doesn’t mean you have to share every detail of your academic life, but it’s important to let them know that you’re pursuing a degree and may need some flexibility.

How to Approach the Conversation:

• Be Honest: Explain your situation and why law school is important to you. Emphasise that you’re committed to your job but may need some adjustments to your schedule.
• Propose Solutions: If you anticipate needing time off for exams or important class activities, suggest how you can make up for it. This could include working remotely, adjusting your hours, or taking on extra tasks during less busy periods.
• Be Professional: Approach the conversation professionally and reassure your employer that your work will not suffer because of your academic commitments.

3. Set Clear Boundaries

One of the biggest challenges of balancing law school and a full-time job is keeping the two from bleeding into each other. To avoid this, it’s important to set clear boundaries.

Tips for Setting Boundaries:

• Separate Work and School: As much as possible, try to keep work and school separate. This means focusing on work during work hours and dedicating your study time to school without distractions.
• Say No When Necessary: You can’t do everything, and that’s okay. If you’re asked to take on extra responsibilities at work or in school, don’t be afraid to say no if it will negatively impact your ability to manage your current workload.
• Protect Your Personal Time: It’s easy to let work and school take over your life, but it’s crucial to protect your personal time. Make sure you’re taking time for yourself, whether it’s spending time with loved ones, exercising, or simply relaxing.

4. Maximise Your Study Time

With a full-time job, your study time is limited, so it’s important to make the most of it. This means studying efficiently and focusing on the tasks that will have the greatest impact on your academic success.

Strategies for Efficient Studying:

• Use Active Learning Techniques: Instead of passively reading your textbooks, engage in active learning techniques like summarising key points, creating flashcards, or teaching the material to someone else.
• Break Up Study Sessions: Instead of cramming for long periods, break up your study sessions into shorter, focused intervals. This helps improve retention and keeps you from feeling overwhelmed.
• Find Your Optimal Study Time: Identify the time of day when you’re most alert and focused and schedule your most demanding study sessions during that time.
• Leverage Downtime: Use any downtime at work (such as during lunch breaks or commutes) to review notes, listen to lectures, or read case summaries.

5. Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Health

Balancing law school and a full-time job can take a toll on your physical and mental health if you’re not careful. To sustain this balancing act, it’s crucial to prioritise your well-being.

This is something I wish I had prioritised earlier as a now 28-year-old who is struggling to implement sustainable habits.

Tips for Maintaining Your Health:

• Get Enough Sleep: Sleep is non-negotiable. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to ensure that you’re rested and able to function at your best.
• Eat a Balanced Diet: Fuel your body with nutritious foods that provide sustained energy. Avoid relying on caffeine and sugar to get you through the day (I have a limit of drinking 2 coffees per day).
• Exercise Regularly: Even if it’s just a short walk or a quick workout, regular exercise can help reduce stress and boost your energy levels. Personally, I work out at home or the free gym in my work building to save myself money of a gym membership and I use an app (Ladder has been amazing) which has all my workouts ready for me but YouTube has SO MANY free workouts, e.g. Move With Nicole if you’re a Pilates girl.
• Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing, or journaling into your routine to help manage stress and stay centred.
• Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. Whether it’s talking to a friend, a counsellor, or a mentor, having someone to lean on can make a big difference.

6. Stay Organised

Staying organised is key to balancing multiple responsibilities. When you’re juggling law school and a full-time job, organisation can be the difference between success and overwhelm.

Organisation Tips:

• Keep Track of Deadlines: Use a calendar or task management app to keep track of all your deadlines, both for work and school. Set reminders so you never miss an important due date.
• Organise Your Study Materials: Keep your study materials organised and easily accessible. This could mean using binders, folders, or digital tools to keep everything in order. I use Google Docs and Drive to store all my documents so it’s accessible at all times, for example I can read notes on my phone on the way to work.
• Declutter Your Space: A cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. Take the time to declutter your workspace so you can focus on what’s important.

7. Use Technology to Your Advantage

In today’s digital age, there are countless tools and apps that can help you manage your time, stay organised, and study more effectively.

Tech Tools to Consider:

• Time Management Apps: Apps like Notion can help you manage your tasks and deadlines.
• Note-Taking Apps: Use apps like Evernote, OneNote, or Notion to organise your notes and study materials.
• Study Resources: Take advantage of online resources like Quizlet for flashcards, Khan Academy for explanations, or Audible for listening to textbooks on the go.
• Focus Apps: Apps like Forest or Focus@Will can help you stay focused during study sessions by minimising distractions.

8. Stay Connected with Classmates

Don’t underestimate the power of community. Staying connected with your classmates can provide support, motivation, and valuable insights as you navigate law school.

Ways to Stay Connected:

• Join Study Groups: Study groups can help you stay on track, deepen your understanding of the material, and provide a sense of camaraderie.
• Participate in Class Discussions: Engage in class discussions, whether in-person or online, to stay connected with your peers and get the most out of your learning experience.
• Network with Peers: Building relationships with your classmates can lead to valuable professional connections and friendships that last beyond law school.

9. Plan for the Long Term

Balancing law school with a full-time job requires thinking long-term. It’s important to have a clear understanding of your goals and how your current efforts fit into the bigger picture.

Long-Term Planning Tips:

• Set Clear Goals: Identify your long-term goals, both in your career and in law school. Having a clear vision can help you stay motivated and focused.
• Break Down Your Goals: Break down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable steps. This makes them less daunting and helps you track your progress.
• Be Patient: Balancing work and law school is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself and recognise that achieving your goals takes time.