Black Law Students’ Advice
BLACK LAW STUDENTS’ SHARE ADVICE ON PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
Members of the 2012-2013 Executive Board of the National Black Law Students Association were asked to give their best advice on what Black pre-law students should do to prepare for a successful law school experience. Here is what they wanted to share. Aisha N. Smith
Board Position: Midwest Regional Chair, National Black Law Students Association Undergraduate Degree/University: Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University (Chicago, Illinois)
Advice:
Stay in your lane! While the law school experience is characterized by competition amongst peers, you are more likely to perform the best and be happiest when you compete with yourself alone. Be patient with yourself and find the study habits and systems that work best for you, then stick to them. Also, remember to continue doing the things that kept you grounded before law school, such as practice your faith, exercise, interact with your family, etc. You’ll be busier, but the time spent on these activities will help you sustain the motivation and energy necessary to do your best! Finally, remember to enjoy the experience. Join your local Black Law Students Association chapter. Find extracurricular activities that challenge and excite you. Take time to make friends and build substantial relationships. A strong network is an important aspect of a successful legal career, and some of the best lessons are learned outside of the classroom.
Charlyn M. Stanberry
Year/Law School: Third-Year Law Student, Florida International University College of Law (University Park, Florida) Board Position: Southern Regional Chair, National Black Law Students Association Undergraduate Degree/University: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing, University of Central Florida (Orlando, Florida) Graduate Degree/University: Master of Public Administration, University of Central Florida (Orlando, Florida)
Advice:
As a third-year Black law student, I know that part of my duty is to assist the next generation of Black law students. In order to prepare for law school, Black college and graduate students should consider the following five steps (same advice I give my mentees). (1) Find a mentor. Consider finding a mentor in a local bar association, a family friend who happens to be an attorney, or a person who is currently in law school. The key to success is finding answers for questions you may have. Mentors can answer your questions about law school and assist you with the law school application process. (2) Create a support system. You will go through so many changes before, during, and after law school such that a good support system could make or break your success. If it wasn’t for my parents, brother, family, and friends I know that I would not have been able to survive law school. (3) Research organizations that assist students interested in attending law school. For the past three years, I have actively been involved with the Council on Legal Educa-
Annual 2012 Edition
BLACK
Year/Law School: Third-Year Law Student, University of Wisconsin Law School (Madison, Wisconsin)
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