Making Friends in Law School

Law school is intense. If you're like me and watched Legally Blonde or How to Get Away With Murder a million times, you probably believe that law school is a highly competitive environment with few chances of having a social life. This is wrong.

A lot of people won't tell you about the friendships that you have the opportunity to make while in law school. I have met some of my closest friends in law school, and they are my greatest support system throughout my academic journey.

Here is how to make friends in law school.

1. Start Small

   
   

   You are not going to walk into your first day of 1L and immediately develop a lifelong friendship. So, focus on what you have in common with the people around you - law school. Talk to your classmates about the reading assignment for your class, ask them what they think of the professor, and ask about their career goals.

   
   

   Everyone is adjusting - so use the brief moments before class, during breaks, or while waiting for coffee to small talk. These small interactions lead to deeper conversations over time.

2. Study with Others

   
   

   The greatest friendships that I developed in law school came from me booking a large study room every day during our lunch period. Ten of us would pile into the room and trauma bond over our classes. We did this every single day during our first semester, and that one study room in the library is the reason for my law school friendships.

   
   

   Be the person who takes initiative to bring everyone together. I did this by booking a study room every day. Suggest getting together with others at a coffee shop to study. Set up a time to do readings with others. (Small caveat to this one - if you don't study well with others, build this time into your schedule as a social hang out instead of a study session)
   

3. Say Yes to Any Plans

   Whether it is law school social events or plans to get together with your classmates, say yes to everything during your first semester of law school. You want to get yourself out there to meet others, and taking a few hours out of your day to spend time with others will inevitably lead to you making at least one friend. During my first week of classes, I said yes to absolutely any social event. I used these moments to meet people and find others that I truly connected with. I made one of my law school best friends by going to the school's derby days simply because I did not say no to anything.
   

4. Remember Law School Friendships are Unique

   Friendships in law school are sometimes difficult to navigate. Your law school friends might not be your study partners, but they can be the people that you call at 2AM if you need someone. You might only hang out with your study friends during exam periods. It took a while for me to understand that my law school friends have different roles. I tried to make all of my law school friends an everything friend, and as soon as I realized that they all had different purposes I felt that my friendships were stronger.

   
   
   
   

   Making friends in law school is a process, not a race. Whether you’re outgoing or reserved, local or far from home, you can build real, supportive friendships by showing up, starting conversations, and staying open.

   Remember: You’re not the only one looking to connect.