Dami Animashaun, a 1L at Harvard Law School, talks about Harvard's trial by fire curriculum, therapeutic extracurriculars, and legendary professors.

What do you like most about law school?

There is very little that is likeable about first semester, but it would have been unbearable if I didn't have the friends I did.

That it gives me 3 years to figure things out…There is very little that is likeable about first semester, but it would have been unbearable if I didn't have the friends I did. I met some great people. Also, I joined some organizations that really gave me some perspective and helped me cope.

What do you dislike the most?

I disagree with the way the first year curriculum is structured at HLS and the trial by fire, hazing nature of it.

I disagree with the way the first year curriculum is structured at HLS and the trial by fire, hazing nature of it. As I said, it’s academically challenging, but not because it is overly theoretical or sophisticated but because they just throw a ton of busy work your way. The average students goes to class, reads, and sleeps, without ever getting the chance to think or digest or analyze what they read or were told.

What aspect of the academic work do you find most challenging?

There is a premium on time in law school.

The most challenging...one is staying ahead of the reading. I have three to five hours of reading every night. Another is figuring out what I should read and what I should skim- or not read. You can read everything, but if you are not interested or it is irrelevant, then the cost is time. There is a premium on time in law school.

Do you brief cases?

I probably went back to my briefs something like five times.

Never brief cases! I started briefing cases because other people were. But I don't anymore. I probably went back to my briefs something like five times. It is more time efficient to just jot down notes or highlight relevant parts of cases. Plus there are old outlines and class notes available that have everything you need to know.

Is there a study tactic or method you find most helpful?

I took practice tests, and my biggest mistake was not taking more practice tests.

I combined a few outlines and then made them into my own outline. If I didn’t understand a concept, I would read what a few hornbooks had to say on and really try to grasp and understand it. I took practice tests, and my biggest mistake was not taking more practice tests. You also have to know how to apply it and know what the professors are asking and are looking for. Read, outline, and know where things are on your outline. Take a lot of practice tests.

How accessible are professors at Harvard?

Also walking down the hall ways and seeing some legendary professors working in their offices with the door open is surreal at times.

Most of the professors are very accessible. You can schedule a meeting with almost any professor, whether or not you are in their class and that is really cool. Also walking down the hall ways and seeing some legendary professors working in their offices with the door open is surreal at times.

Are you involved in any extracurriculars?

... to get away from the institutions and actually interact with and help people in need was really special and therapeutic.

Harvard Defenders.  It is a student practice organization that allows students to work with indigent criminal defendants. It's something that means a lot to me—to get away from the institutions and actually interact with and help people in need was really special and therapeutic.

Any general advice for law school?

When it got really tough and I wasn't interested in my classes, I wondered if I should have come to law school.

You should really find out more about law school [before coming]. Find out if you really want to be a lawyer. All my concerns about law school aren’t new. Everyone tells you about these concerns beforehand. You can do a lot of great things in law school but a lot of great things outside of it. When it got really tough and I wasn't interested in my classes, I wondered if I should have come to law school. You have to really critically evaluate what you want to do with your life and whether it's worth the money.

Visit the 7Sage Law School blog to read more interviews with students and lawyers.