Working during 1L... Forum

[vebode01]

Hey everyone, I am wondering if it would be at all possible to work during my 1L year. I am thinking about keeping my bartending job in Boston during my 1L at BC. I would be working 6-12 hours a week on Friday and/or Saturday nights. Alot of my friends have similar jobs so working with them would basically replace going out for me (which I am fine with because I love my job). The $ is amazing so even working 1 night would help out a ton while I am in school. Is it possible with enough dedication and planning?

Feedback from current/former 1L's would be great, thanks!

[JPeavy44]

No it is not possible. Your situation may work though since it's only Friday/Sat night since you won't be going out instead.

-Current 1L.

[legends159]

that's a question you need to ask yourself. Say you are dedicating 50 hrs a week on law school work (including class time). Can you still budget in a job while sticking to that benchmark? if you can then go ahead.

[blsingindisguise]

This can be done, but you have to be willing to sacrifice some social time for it. You'll need to do at least some studying during weekend days a lot of weekends, and going out weeknights is not good for your studies.

[ToTransferOrNot]

I wouldn't do it, but it certainly can be done. People vastly overstate how much time law school requires.

[RickyRoe]

I worked as a bartender all through undergrad. I know law school is a different animal, but you do have free time. If you want to use that free time to make money then go ahead. Personally I would use it to relax or blow off steam, otherwise the stress will overtake you. Now if you enjoy your job then that is another story, but I always hated the job and only did because of the great pay.

I guess my answer requires more information. How much do you make in a weekend? If it is the type of bar where you could make $500 or more in a weekend then you could easily pay living expenses and part of your tuition without cutting into your studying time at all. Then again, if you will only be making a couple hundred bucks a weekend then you might be better off quitting and borrowing money to live off.

If it was me I would keep the job but I would at least wait until you get the hang of law school before you even consider going back to work.

[KMaine]

I voted for the 6 hour option (but I would not rule out the 12). Though law school does take up a great deal of time, you need some time away from the books, you will just have less time for other things. If you do love your job, I think you can do this sanely. I really only do about 5 hours of work total most weeks from Friday afternoon until monday morning.

[rando]

This can be done, but you have to be willing to sacrifice some social time for it. You'll need to do at least some studying during weekend days a lot of weekends, and going out weeknights is not good for your studies.

+1. Something has to go and it can't be studying. Some other posters have mentioned that they don't do much work on the weekend anyway and that law school really doesn't take that much time. That wasn't my experience 1L year. I never felt like I had ever "finished" there was always something that could be done. I probably averaged 17-20hrs of school work on the weekend.

[TTH]

Yeah, it could work, but ask yourself this: Let's say you get your grades in December and you're below median. Even if it had nothing to do with working, do you want to have to wonder if it would've been different had you devoted all your time to LS?

[Aeroplane]

I wouldn't do it, but it certainly can be done. People vastly overstate how much time law school requires.

+1 to bold. I never got any work done on Fri/Sat anyway, except real close to exams and I'm working a bit this semester. You may not want to work the last 1-2 weeks before finals though.

[littlebit]

There are many with spouse's, children, etc. If this is your only real time commitment other than law school, I think you could actually do both days and still be very successful in law school. Hopefully, you could get someone to cover you the week before finals. BUT, you still need to find time to network and get involved in the community or finding a law related job your 1L summer will be hard. Remember lawyers respect a work ethic and I think my work history has really paid off in spades. Also, I just like to work.

Current 2L

[vebode01]

Thanks so much for all of the quick responses I'm really glad that they haven't been as negative as those on the only other thread I've come across with 1L work as the subject.

I'm still thinking it over but it would be smart to take the first couple of weekends off to get adjusted and then pick up one night and see how that goes; if its something I can handle maybe I'll pick up the second night.