How to "ramp up" as a first year? Forum

[the lsat failure]

Incoming first year worried about managing workflow and becoming situated given that our summer experience was cut short/not representative. I'll be starting at a free market firm and have some partners and associates in mind that I'd like to work with, but the concept of having to "learn the ropes" while taking on an adequate amount of work is a bit overwhelming.

Perspectives from all levels of seniority would be really helpful - particularly any practical tips

[Anonymous User]

Incoming first year worried about managing workflow and becoming situated given that our summer experience was cut short/not representative. I'll be starting at a free market firm and have some partners and associates in mind that I'd like to work with, but the concept of having to "learn the ropes" while taking on an adequate amount of work is a bit overwhelming.

Perspectives from all levels of seniority would be really helpful - particularly any practical tips

Don't be too worried - I'm class of 2020, had a normal summer program, and still didn't really feel like I "learned the ropes" until I started fully remote as a junior. I'm not sure anyone really gets too much of a representative experience as a summer, especially with things like managing firm resources and other typical junior tasks. Yes, it's harder to ramp up starting remote, but a lot of firms realized this and didn't have an hours requirements for first years during the stub.

[mardash]

I think the advice of those who’ve started remotely is going to be most helpful to you, but in general there was always an understanding that ramping up can take a few months. I was encouraged and I encourage first years to enjoy it, because it may not last as long as you “worry” now.

Editted to add: It’s a great time to get your pro bono hours.

[the lsat failure]

Appreciate the responses. We'll likely be starting remote or at the very least have a flex go-in-if-you-want policy until the year's end. Email correspondence from the firm has been pretty abysmal so who knows...

Now that I think of it, it's less the learning and more the lack of relationship-building traditional summers were able to do during their ten weeks. Especially since we're a free market firm, it feels as though my class is going in as semi-strangers, even within the class. I'm sure it'll work out but the stub is definitely going to feel unnatural.