My colleague Eric Grigg, a fellow UWO Law student, has recently written about what he feels are courses that will “mitigate…unfamiliarity of the first term in first year”. He recommends courses in British History, Canadian Government, basic Business, and some basic philosophy (particularly logic). Read his blog post for more information.

I more or less agree with Eric’s suggestions, with one caveat: don’t rely too much on what you learn in undergrad. I have a minor in political science and my knowledge of the workings of Canadian government took me through to the end of first week of law school. My business knowledge (business was my specialization in undergrad) has so far taken me nowhere. This is not because I wasn’t paying attention in class but because law school is different from anything you have ever done in undergrad.

Does it help to have a basic understanding of how our political and business systems work before coming to law school? Most likely. Is it a requirement? I would say no. A person coming from the physical sciences can do just as well as someone who majored in legal studies in undergrad. In fact, a science major will likely come in with no preconceived notions about law, a blank slate if you will, which may well work in her favour.

My opinions are biased however. Outside of English history and philosophy, I studied what Eric is recommending in quite a bit of detail. I’d like to hear an opinion from someone who didn’t. If you are such a person, leave me and/or Eric a comment.

First of all, a congratulations is in order to the law classes of 2012: we survived the first two weeks of law school. It wasn’t easy. It involved a boatload of new terminology, a new way of thinking, an immersion into the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a little bit of Latin, and a dose of downright wacky concepts (”qualified pre-possessory interest”, anyone?).

But we survived. And we shall survive again. I just looked at the calendar, and we are 15% of the way through the semester (scary thought, huh?).

P.S. I am still looking for contributors for this blog. Drop me an email if you are interested.