How I Made Friends in Law School

Before I went to law school, I heard horror stories from current students and warnings from current attorneys. People would tell me that students are so competitive and that the heavy workload would make my social life nonexistent. Now that I am a 3L and looking back at my time in law school, I am happy that I never let these stories get in my head. Those warnings couldn't have been further from the truth. My years at KU Law have been some of my best, and a large part of that is thanks to the amazing friends I have made along the way. So, if you are studying for the LSAT or are a current 1L anxious about how to make friends in law school, here is my advice on how to find your people.

Start before you even enroll

I met my first law school friend before I'd even committed to KU at Admitted Students Weekend. Admitted Students Weekend is full of people in the same boat: nervous, curious and asking the same questions you are. Talk to the person next to you at lunch. Swap names and socials. Don’t be afraid to invite people to meet up before the semester even starts — one of my classmates organized a coffee date with the girls! By the time orientation rolled around, I already felt like I knew a handful of people and that made walking in on day one so much easier.

Let your classes do the work

You're going to spend a lot of time with the same people in your 1L classes, so use it as an opportunity. Join a study group, trade notes after class or grab coffee with someone after a tough cold call. Shared struggle bonds people quickly, and there's nothing like surviving Civil Procedure together to turn classmates into friends — the girl who sat next to me is now one of my closest friends!

Get involved in student orgs

Student organizations are the easiest way to meet people outside your section, including 2Ls and 3Ls who can give advice you can’t get anywhere else. Pick something you actually care about, whether that's a practice area group, an affinity organization or something purely social. You'll meet people who share your interests, and the friendships tend to feel more natural when you're working toward something together.

Sit next to people in the library

This one sounds almost too simple, but it works. Instead of always claiming the same isolated carrel, sit near other people. Say hi. Offer a charger or a pen. Ask what they're working on. Long hours in the same spaces turn strangers into familiar faces, and familiar faces turn into people you take study breaks with. I sat by the same girl in the library for a couple of weeks and we would talk all throughout the lunch hour. We eventually ended up going to the Washburn-KU Law trivia night together, and we have been close friends ever since!

A few final thoughts

You don't need to be the most outgoing person in the room. Showing up consistently, being friendly and saying yes to the occasional coffee or lunch invitation is enough. Law school is hard, but it's a lot less hard when you have people to go through it with.

– Mia Colanero is a 3L KU Law Student Ambassador from Overland Park