THE 1L SURVIVAL GUIDE
By Nimra Amir
- 2025 Summer Issue
First things first: there is no single “right” way to approach 1L and this guide is just one perspective. You’ll hear advice from upper-years, blogs and even strangers on Reddit, and much of it will probably contradict. That’s okay. You’ll figure out what works for you by experimenting, adjusting, and most importantly, being kind to yourself during the process. Think of this guide just as a collection of tips to help you get started.
Academics: Readings, Summaries and Exams
Adjusting to law school means learning a new way of reading, writing and thinking but that learning curve is part of the process. You won’t fully understand every case the first time you read it. That’s normal and it’s a part of learning how to read cases critically. If something isn’t clicking, try slowing down and rereading or sketching it out by mapping relationships or creating a timeline. The good news is that you’re not expected to master it all on day one. Legal reading and writing are skills, and like any skill, they improve with time and practice.
One of the best things you can do early on is figure out how to organize your readings. You’ll be juggling multiple classes, each with their own schedule and pace, so it helps to create a system. Whether it’s an Excel sheet, a list in your Notes app or a physical planner, find a method that helps you keep track of what you’ve done and which deadlines are still coming up. Your system doesn’t need to be fancy, just functional enough to keep you organized throughout the semester.
As the semester progresses, you’ll hear a lot about summaries, which are outlines that students prepare for open-book exams based on notes from lectures and readings.
Many maintain two versions: a long summary that includes detailed facts and decisions, and a short summary focusing on key ratios and legal tests. Outlining may sound scarier than it is but it’s just compiling your notes into one big document, then editing and formatting it so you can look information up quickly during the exam.
Old summaries can be a helpful resource, and many law schools, including ours, have databases where students have uploaded and shared their summaries. While these can be a great starting point, don’t rely solely on them.
Making your own summary is a critical part of the learning process because as you build your summary, you fit all the conceptual pieces together and organize them in ways that your brain understands. You will have the chance to revisit and refine your summary throughout the semester and what you include in it and how you organize it is totally up to you. However, the few basic tools that many students find really helpful for making their summaries effective include a table of contents, headings, and prewrites.
That being said, don’t get too caught up in making the “perfect” summary. You’re not graded on your summary, you’re graded on how well you apply legal reasoning and the summary is just an aid to support that goal.
Most law school courses are evaluated through time-constrained, final exams, which may include multiple choice or essay-style questions. The best way to prepare for the exams is by doing practice questions while using your summary under exam conditions. This will get you comfortable thinking on your feet, organizing your answers and applying the law in an exam format.
Extracurriculars: Getting the Most Out of Law School
Beyond your studies, law school offers a wealth of opportunities to get involved and expand your experience. Here’s a closer look at some of the key extracurricular opportunities you can dive into during 1L:
On-campus clubs: Clubs are a great entry point into law school life. There are student-run groups for nearly every interest from specific practice areas to cultural law student associations. Joining a club, even just as a member, is a low-commitment way to stay connected with like-minded classmates and explore different aspects of the legal field. And if you want to build leadership experience, starting in 1L is a great foundation.
The Nelligan Moot: The Nelligan Moot is a first-year mooting competition that takes place just a few months into the school year. Participating in the moot allows you to strengthen skills that are valuable throughout law school and beyond including legal analysis and oral advocacy.
Law Review: The Ottawa Law Review (OLR) is a bilingual academic journal published twice a year by students in the Common Law Section, under faculty supervision. For those interested in legal research, writing or publishing, the OLR offers a unique opportunity to develop these skills from your first year. As an Assistant Editor, you’ll help review academic articles, ensuring accuracy in grammar, citations and sourcing under the supervision and mentorship of an Associate Editor.
Career Connections: Career Connections, organized by the Career and Professional Development Centre, brings together lawyers and legal professionals from across Ottawa, Toronto, and beyond to give students a chance to explore different areas of law. The day is packed with networking opportunities and roundtables where you can ask questions and learn about different career paths. For 1Ls, it’s a low-pressure way to get a sense of what the legal world looks like and start making connections.
Wellness
It’s tempting to dive head-first into 1L but think of 1L like a marathon, not a sprint. Law school is a long game and if you want to stay focused and functional, your well-being needs to be part of your strategy. Below are some wellness tips to keep yourself grounded during 1L:
- Sleep is not optional. It might feel productive to stay up finishing readings, but exhaustion will catch up to you. You’ll learn more and faster, when your brain is rested.
- Prioritize nutrition, even if that means meal prepping or keeping snacks on hand. Think of food as fuel, not as an inconvenience.
- Move your body. Whether it’s a full workout, a short walk between classes or some stretching at your desk, some daily movement will help you reset.
- Stay connected to your people. It’s easy to go into law school with tunnel vision, but don’t isolate yourself. Make time for family, friends or whoever makes you feel grounded.
- Use school resources. Academic and career advisors, mental health services and peer mentors are all available (and included in your tuition) to support your success.
- Avoid the comparison trap. Everyone has different backgrounds, study styles and learning curves. Focus on what works for you.
No one has all the answers going into 1L and that’s exactly why it’s okay to figure things out as you go. As a final word of encouragement, we reached out to some upper-year students and asked them: “What do you wish you knew when you started 1L?” Their responses are a reminder that you’re not alone and that everyone finds their way, in time.
Advice From Your Seniors
Keep your eyes open and explore every opportunity. You never know where your path in law will begin.”
Matthew Lowe (3L)
Try to strike an appropriate balance between your academic performance and experiential learning. Grades might get you through the door, but practical experience gives you a presence in the room.”
Alexis Hinkson (3L)
Book a study room at CRX! Beautiful rooms with sunlight? The law school could never.”