Nastasia Cvijic ’27

I also want to put a disclaimer that this schedule is what works for me most weeks. It can change depending on when you are most productive, where you are living relative to campus, and what classes you are interested in. It also does not include absolutely everything that goes into one’s day, but rather should be used as a general idea of what a Northeastern Law student's day consists of.

I have color coded the time blocks with the following:

Green → classes
Tan → homework time
Blue → meals
Purple → work
Pink → time outside or walking
Coral → free time

Other random tidbits I wanted to know as a prospective student:

You have free time. This is something I was very nervous about coming into law school. While law school is a lot of work and requires time management, it is so important to dedicate time to hanging out with your friends, exploring the city, and down time. With that said, I have taken to blocking time to study for myself, so I stay on track which helps maximize the free time you have.

Another great thing about Northeastern Law is that you have access to the gym and other study areas on campus. Marino Recreation Center was recently renovated and is located across the street from the law school. This makes working out very convenient and inexpensive for those who wish to use the facility. There are also great buildings and outdoor spaces around campus that are good for days when you want to find a new study spot.

I usually brought lunches to school and used the fridges in the building to store them. However, there are also a decent amount of food and drink options in the area including Tatte, Panera and Dunkin. My favorites are the gyros from Gyroscope, the sushi from Northeastern Market and the sandwiches from Wollaston Market.

• Go to all classes and be on time. There is no better way to get on a professor’s bad side than not attending class or showing up late constantly.
• Review content as you go. This includes going to review sessions and will make outlining and studying for exams much easier.
• Experiment with note taking styles for the first few weeks as you won’t know what works best for you yet and that’s okay.
• Take advantage of LFs, TAs and club mentors. They are not only great resources for outlines and academic help, but also to understand how to navigate law school and co-ops and they are always happy to help.
• Adding to above, clubs like WLC and BLSA have mentorship programs. Join clubs based on interests, but don’t be afraid to try something new.
• Make friends with people in your section – they are a great resource and a lifeline when things get hard. It is also very nice to have a social circle at school since you will be spending a lot of time with each other.
• Take advantage of the resources. CISP, the co-op office, financial aid office and outline drives are all great resources available to you.
• Time management is the most important skill to have. Make time for things outside of school as well. Find activities that ease your stress (cooking, working out, etc).
• There are great resources available for case briefs and content explanations. Barbri and Themis are great for exam preparation (free) and Quimbee is for case briefs and exam preparation (recommend sharing a subscription with a friend).
• There is no one path to success, so don’t get caught up in what others are doing. This includes study schedules, readings, grades, jobs, etc. Do what works for you.
• Try to gain practical experience. Northeastern Law is known for its co-ops and experiential learning. While you are required to do your 1L Law Office and co-ops, I also recommend trying a clinic or volunteering somewhere for more experience.
• Take practice exams for finals. It is the best way to test yourself and the format and expectations for exams is likely different than what you are used to. Don’t let the actual final be the first time you are exposed to the exam format and question types.
• Be intentional with your studying and make outlines if that works for you (use the ones provided as a guidance tool, not a supplement for making your own).
• Network! This is very important depending on what career path you choose
• Take care of yourself! Make sure you have time for meals and self-care, so you don’t burn out. Get sleep!

What is a “co-op?”

As the website says, a co-op is “a full-time legal work placement. During this period, students work a minimum of 35 hours a week doing various legal work under the supervision of an attorney or judge. Depending on the placement, you may interview witnesses, research and write legal briefs, or represent clients in court.” Co-ops range from 10-15 weeks long and you will complete three of them before graduating. While it is most common for the co-op to take place in Boston, they can be anywhere in the U.S. or even abroad. Co-ops can be paid or unpaid, depending on the position and could result in a job post-graduation.

At NUSL, your first year consists of your Fall and Spring semesters. However, your 2L and 3L years are divided into Summer, Fall and Spring semesters. You will decide whether you want to be “Summer first” or “Fall first,” however this is flexible. If you are Summer first, your schedule will likely be:

• 2L Summer co-op, Fall classes, Spring co-op, Summer classes, Fall co-op, Spring classes (then graduation).

If you are Fall first, your schedule will likely be:

• 2L Summer classes, Fall co-op, Spring classes, Summer co-op, Fall classes, Spring co-op (then graduation).

Both paths have their advantages and students usually decide based on availability, classes being offered that semester and where they wish to work.

Our co-op office is very helpful throughout this process. The advisors are there to help you with resumes, cover letters, mock interviews and general career advice. Northeastern uses a website called Symplicity that, among other things, is a database of employers that are looking to hire students on co-op that semester. You are welcome to find your own employment for any semester, however, Symplicity makes it easier. Applying is made easy via Symplicity as your required documents will be uploaded and can be re-used for each application, as necessary.

Examples of co-ops that Northeastern students have done include judicial internships at the federal and state courts, immigration firms, Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Ropes & Gray LLP and others.

How does grading work at Northeastern?

Instead of the traditional A-F grading system used at other schools, Northeastern uses the distinctions of High Honors, Honors, Pass, Marginal Pass and Fail. These grades are not accompanied by a percentage and do not factor into a GPA. These “grades” are given to you at the end of the semester along with two evaluation documents.

The first document is called a “Notes to Students.” This document will have notes written to you by your professor further explaining the grade they gave you. For example, it may comment on your exam responses, your participation in class and your performance on assignments throughout the semester. This document will only ever be seen by you.

The second document is your “Academic Evaluation.” This document contains an overview of the course, the objectives of the course and how you performed according to your professor. The professor will not name specifics about your exam but may comment more on how you performed as a student, overall. This document will be sent to employers as a transcript.

I have found that this grading system has fostered a very collaborative environment within NUSL. Because students are not competing against one another on a curve or being ranked against one another, they are more likely to share helpful resources they have found, form larger study groups and genuinely support each other’s success.

How can you get involved at NUSL?

On NUSL’s website, there is a list of extracurriculars and organizations at the law school.

A great thing about NUSL is that you can be involved in undergraduate clubs and organizations, as well. Some of those clubs can be found here.

Additionally, you can join a clinic, participate in work study or start your own club.