As a prospective student and a 1L, you probably toured your law school facility. Key offices and resources were pointed out but you may not recall all of these resources nor where they are located. You likely know where your classes, the bathrooms, the financial aid office, and the various student organizations are located. Do you know where the key offices for academic and personal support are located? You might but have you made contact with someone in those key offices so that when you need help you are more likely to step into these offices?
Every school is different but generally there is an office that falls under one or more of these categories: Academic Support/Success, Doctrinal Teaching Assistant/Tutor office or meeting area, Research and Writing Tutor/Teaching Assistant office or meeting area, Student Affairs office, Diversity office, and/or Counseling services. Stop by and introduce yourself, even if you are an upper level student, early on in the semester, you still have time. Allow yourself to become comfortable with the individuals in these offices as they might be able to help you navigate academic and non-academic challenges as they arise. You will feel comfortable and individuals in these offices might remember you if you took the time to visit.
Ensure that you take advantage of all programs, workshops, small group sessions or teaching assistant sessions offered. Typically, no question is a dumb question for individuals who work in these offices; unless they tell you otherwise. Their role typically includes providing you with support throughout your law school journey because they have an interest in your success as a student. At the very least if you are into Pokémon, you might find a Pokémon or two lurking near these offices, so I have heard. (Goldie Pritchard)
