Make the Most of Your Summer

By: Kandice Thorn

Those of you who are graduating will likely spend your summer doing one of two things: (1) studying feverishly for the bar exam, or (2) going on vacation. But for those of you who started your program in the spring semester and will return to finish your programs in the fall, you may be wondering what you should be doing this summer to make the most of those lazy summer months. Some of you have full-time internships lined up--if you do, that's fantastic. But if you find yourself with time on your hands this summer, here are a few things you may want to consider:

• Take a Class.
• Take a summer class at the law school. The fee for summer classes is reduced for full-time LL.M. students who attend the spring before and the fall after the summer term (but note that there is a 4-credit maximum; see the LL.M. Handbook for information). It's not too late to register.
• Attend a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) class on a topic that interests you. Note that many CLE providers offer scholarships or discounts to students, so don't be afraid to ask. 
• Build Your Professional Network.
• Get involved with a bar association. If you didn't have time throughout the school year to attend many bar association events, the summer can be a good time to get in some networking. Be sure to check out events at the New York City Bar Association (www.nycbar.org), New York County Lawyers' Association (www.nycla.org), and New York State Bar Association (www.nysba.org).  
• Get in touch with old friends and colleagues. Have lunch or coffee with people you haven't seen in a while. Don't ask for jobs, just catch up and let people know what you're doing.
• Set up informational interviews. 
• Perfect Your Application Documents.
• Make your resume sparkle!
• Draft a cover letter that makes a great first impression!
• Clean up your writing sample!
• Look for Opportunities to Volunteer. If there is an organization that interests you, see if you can do some volunteer work. Even non-legal volunteer work can be beneficial, as it will get you involved in the community and can expand your professional network. 
• Relax, Just a Little... You've worked hard this semester and, yes, you deserve a break!  If you're staying in the New York area, you might be surprised to discover that there are some nice beaches pretty close by. Long Beach is a quick day trip, and you don't even have to leave the NYC subway to get to Coney Island or Brighton Beach. Enjoy yourself a bit this summer and come back refreshed for a successful fall semester!