The one bad thing about living alone is that you often have to meet people out, or else go somewhere to go somewhere else. I really hate having to drive to the bar, find a place to park, etc...especially considering I generally refuse to drive drunk (if you haven't picked up this habit yet in undergrad, I'd advise you to in LS). So, I've ended up having to pregame a lot and taking a fair share of taxis. Living by yourself is good. Living by yourself near other law students who live by themselves and don't mind driving when you go to the bar= better.

I also suggest that if you are going to live alone during law school, you might think about getting a pet (if you aren't allergic and you're landlord allows it). I got a cat after 1L year and she kept me from getting crazy around Finals. Bad side to that is you have a pet to take care of and they aren't too concerned if you have to a brief 10 cases before class or write an appellate brief for your moot court competition.

If you can, live alone!!! Around exam time, I avoid the libraries and its distractions. But I would have been much happier if I came home to a quiet house to do some hardcore studying. But that's not the case anymore now that I have roommates. I miss last semester!


Speaking of exams, good luck fellow law student!!

Good luck to you as well. This year has gone by really quickly, I'm guessing the next three will too (I'm in an evening program, so I'm in for four years).

Now if I can keep myself from stressing out about exams, getting on a journal, and everything else, I should be ok.

Aren't evening programs great? I'm in the same boat that you are. I *much* prefer the more mature classmates. I also think that the professors prefer classes which laugh at their dated popular culture references.

Good luck on your finals.

Thanks - it is great, although choosing classes for next year was a bit of an adventure. Luckily I was able to get into the two elective-type courses I wanted. My school has been good about having solid professors for evening courses though, so it all works out, i.e. very few adjuncts, almost all full-time faculty members.

I actually *love* the adjuncts our school gets. I had one last semester. He's a shareholder/partner in one of the state's larger law firms.

I have a summer school adjunct who had FEMA's Michael Brown visit class last semester.

Next semester, I have a trial practice course being taught by a former adjunct, now the school's general counsel who is a named partner in the state's 3rd (or 4th) largest firm.

The other guy teaching that class is the head of the public defender's office for Oklahoma County.

I actually prefer adjuncts. Not only are they good teachers, they're great people to know if you have to find a job after school.

True; I've had adjuncts for my practicum courses (negotiation, etc.) who practice at the larger firms in the area or work for the state, and I know they teach the trial courses here as well. I have nothing against them, the ones I've had have been very good, but I know that at some schools the adjuncts are overworked in their daily practice and don't have a whole lot of time/energy when it gets to the evening classes

I tend to prefer adjuncts too. Not only are they less caught up in the academy, they don't waste your time by assigning tons of pointless supplements and LR articles. I've had adjuncts who are on the bankruptcy court, named partners in firms, senior partners in firms, judges on state district and appellate courts, etc...it's nice to actually hear about real legal practice sometimes.

I have the option to live near the law school next year during 1L, either alone or with 2 roommates who are a 3L and a recent grad.

Prices for both options are within range.

The potential roommates seem pretty laid-back-- we're all randoms-- so if I lived with them it would be 2 girls and 1 guy total in a large house with our own bathrooms. Plus, I'll save a little money over living alone and have the potential benefit of living w/people who have already been through 1L and who may be able to help introduce me to others (read: possible summer job referrals and help adjusting to law school.)

On the other hand, I have lived alone during the last 2 years... and I like living alone. And the above posters advocate living alone... hmmm..... well, I do have a dog...

Any additional feedback or thoughts would be appreciated!!! Thanks again, GC Lawyers :)

I don't know that living alone is that big a thing. If you're living with other law students and they're not the type of freaks who can never study and do well, then you'll be fine.

In fact, it's kind of nice having people to go to when you don't get something, or when you want to talk with someone about some sort of public policy issue or whatever.

If the roommate is NOT a law student, I'd say hell no... but if they are? Your call.

If the house is big enough so as you have space, I'd say do it.

Live alone. Particularly if you're used to living alone. If you can swing it financially, do it. The peace and quiet and just not having to deal with another person will be worth the price. They may seem nice now, but people are a lot different when you're living with them.

If you're used to living alone and like living alone, stay living alone. You'll value the peace and quiet and refuge.

Thanks everyone! The one bedroom I looked at this weekend was more of a studio... ok, more of a dorm room. I don't have that much stuff, and even this place was too small.... I think I may be stuck with roommates after all... at least they're further along in law school... I would not want to live with 1L's.

I may be jumping in a bit late, but I would recommend living alone. I live with my wife, but she understands the time commitments with school (plus, in essence, we're footing the tuition bills together). If I weren't married, I would definitely live alone, at least first year. (Since I'm just finishing 1L I'm not really qualified to speak beyond first year).

Unfortunately, it's back to roommates for me. But I'll be living with a 3L and an LLM student, so I don't think it will be too terrible. One of my roommates has a dog, too, and we'll be in a house with a yard, so it will be nice to have a playmate for my dog and another dog owner around. :)

Another question: are there any good resources out there where I can learn more about ad law? I'm coming out of the advertising industry, so I'm just curious about that field of law. I looked on the NALP directory web site and found some firms that practice ad law. Or should I just be reading more about communications law in general?

(I'm NOT pre-studying for law school-- just curious about that field!!!)