Tips for 1Ls

Well, I never thought it would happen, but I made it through 1L year and through the first few weeks of my 2L year (barely).  As weird as it sounds, I feel like I've learned a lot in the past year (who would have thought?). And not just about things like IEED and option contracts, either, but about life as a law student in general. I am going to pass along some of my "sage wisdom" to the current 1L class-- take from it what you will.

1. Be friendly:  People don't like an asshole.  No one wants to work with you or help you if you are a know-it-all, holier-than-thou jerk.  No one will want to hire you if you're known to be a bitch.  Smile at everyone, ask them where they are from and what they like.  Go to social gatherings (YES, a social life is necessary to survive!).  Don't judge people before you have a conversation with them.  Believe me, being friendly has gotten me a LOT farther than you would believe.
2. Participate in class:  Ok no one likes a gunner.  But there is a difference between a gunner and someone who actively participates in class discussion.  Raise your hand and volunteer to brief a case early on in the semester to get on the Prof's good side. Ask questions-- if you have one, others probably do too.  Make eye contact with the professor, and nod a little bit when they look at you (but PLEASE don't be awkward with this-- only do it if you can handle it.  Don't be a bobble head).
3. DON'T be "That guy:"  You know who I am talking about-- the gunner that speaks out of turn, always has an opinion, tries to trip up the professor, or who just gets on everyone' nerves.  Just don't do it.
4. Buy an extra power cord for your computer and cell phone, and keep them in your carrell:  Believe me, this will be invaluable at some point in time when you are scrambling around and forget your cord.  I promise you will thank me later.
5. Use your 2Ls and 3Ls: Start making friends with upperclassmen. They have outlines and know what your professors will test heavily.  Sure, some of them will be a little snotty, but most of them will be happy to help and give advice on how to take notes/approach hypo, send you outlines, give you tips on Bluebooking, and tell you the best way to approach competitions.
6. My advice on competitions:  Sit the first few out.  I know that this isn't what everyone will tell you, but hear me out. Your 1L year, especially first semester, will break you down mentally and physically.  It's really hard on you.  Going into a competition, especially if you are competing against 2nd years, can be nerve wracking and a TON of extra stress.  If you get booted out in the first round or so-- probably for a difference of a couple of points or just a weird judge-- your already fragile ego/emotional state will take a hard beating.  It might put a bad taste in your mouth, and you could miss out on something you are actually good at.  This is why I suggest waiting a little bit until you are more confident and have had a few successes until you enter a competition.  I waited until my second semester, and entered the Merhinge Negotiation Competition on Environmental Law (which I have no real interest in, but thought negotiation sounded cool) and wound up getting second place.
         That being said, if you are good at brushing stuff off, then go ahead and do the early competitions.  I am a little less able to bounce back-- so waiting was the right choice for me.
7. Read your Bluebook from cover to cover:  This will probably be the most boring thing you EVER do, but it will be TOTALLY worth it.  There are so many rando rules on the smallest things that seem totally simple-- but they aren't.  Just do it.  I know it sucks.  But just do it.
8. Do NOT-- I repeat, do NOT-- stress out over outlines:  Outlines are NOT the holy grail of exam test-taking.  Now, for some people, outlining is the way to go, but for other people like me, we need different ways to study.  I like to get an outline early in the semester to use along WITH my reading-- kind of a "what was I supposed to get from this?" tool that helps ensure I am on the right track.  They are also good to have if you get lost when the professor is talking about something, and to help you see how everything fits together. That is my main use of outlines for most of my classes.  Around finals time, I DO write out an outline so I have all of the info in one place, and so I've physically written the material down and committed it to memory that way.  However,  I mainly use charts, flashcards, notes, and online lectures to do the bulk of my studying.  The outline is more of a road map.  For me , this is what works best.  For you, it might not.  It's what is best for you.  Just remember-- don't completely change your way of studying just because you are in law school.  You're obviously a smart person-- you made it here in the first place.  Keep doing what got you here in the first place.
9. Work out:  You will feel SO much better, I promise.  MAKE yourself do it.  In the words of Elle Woods: "Working out gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't kill their [roommates/family members/etc.]."  JUST DO IT.
10. Breathe:  Please keep doing it.  Life is going to suck at times, but you can get through it.  Talk to non-law school friends and get some perspective. Get out of the library once in a while, because the stressful energy can get you down. And literally, when you are feeling like you can't take one more second-- TAKE A DEEP BREATH.

Have more advice for the 1Ls?  Leave a post below.