Dear 1Ls,
Welcome to Harvard Law School! You are about to begin your legal career in the most momentous era of recent memory.
As a lawyer and a law student, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. Whether in courts of law, in the halls of legislation, or in the public discourse, lawyers have changed and will change the course of history. Your path now joins that of so many others before you who have helped make our society what it is.
The links below contain pieces to help you navigate those difficulties and make the most of your 1L year. They contain a variety of viewpoints from a variety of people. Some of the advice here may be even be contradictory.
Nevertheless, we hope and think that this issue will inform, comfort, and maybe even inspire you. Know that you, your voice, and your actions can and will make a difference.
Again, welcome to HLS. We are so excited to have each of you join our readership and the legal community.
Sincerely,
Jim An, editor-in-chief
P.S. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @hlrecord to keep up with our latest stories and HLS news.
How to Make Professors Happy, Says a Professor by D. James Greiner, professor of law
Nervous 1Ls at Harvard Law School Should Open Up by Hector Grajeda ’18, vice president of communciations of La Alianza
Lean Into That Sense of Discomfort by Ariel Stone ’19 and Kamala Buchanan ’19, social chairs of Lambda
Making Time for What’s Important by Peter Im ’18 and Liz Gyori ’19, co-presidents of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
Speak Now by Jim An ’18, editor-in-chief of The Record
Resist the Cult of Smart, Embrace the Call to Citizenship by Pete Davis ’18, online editor of The Record
Embrace Your Weirdness by Leilani Doktor ’19, president of the Native American Law Students Association
The Top 5 Pieces of Advice for 1Ls by Aya Gruber ’97, visiting professor
Five First-Year Survival Tips by Elizabeth Chamblee Burch, visiting professor
Be Yourself – It’s What Got You Here by Briana Williams ’18, communications director of the Black Law Students Association
Navigating the Gothic Castle of 1L by Jennifer Reynolds ’07, visiting professor
1Ls, Prioritize Mental Health by Ariella Michal Medows, health and educational consultant
Keeping the Real World in Mind by Kate Thoreson ’19, deputy editor-in-chief of The Record
Welcome Jewish Students! by Gideon Palte ’18 and Benjamin Helfgott ’19, president and community engagement chair of the Jewish Law Students Association
Take Work Seriously, Not Yourself by Sarah Catalano ’19, vice president for membership of the Federalist Society
Remember Your Values at HLS by Lauren Stanley ’18, president of the American Constitution Society
Be Yourself and Find Your Voice by Dalia Deak ’19 and Niku Jafarnia ’19, co-presidents of the Middle Eastern Law Students Association
Remember Your Hobbies by Mary Goetz ’19, co-president of the Chamber Music Society
Female Leadership Matters by Isabel Finley ’19, vice president of the Women’s Law Association