Written by Matusa Logathas
When I started law school, I thought the hardest part would be keeping up with readings, learning cases, and being prepared to get cold-called in class. And yes, that’s part of it. But I’ve realised what no one really talks about in orientation is the hidden curriculum: the things you learn outside the classroom. For me, that has been discipline, balance, and resilience.
Most of these lessons didn’t come from textbooks. They came from 4am alarms, rugby training after a long day, shifts at work, hours working on clubs, volunteering, and the constant feeling of trying to “do it all.” It hasn’t always been neat or easy, but it’s where I’ve grown the most.
The “Do-It-All” Law Student
Law school sometimes makes you feel like you have to do everything at once: study full-time, work part-time, volunteer, network, join societies, play sports, and still have a social life. Somewhere along the way, I fell into that trap and still seem to be stuck in.
On paper, my schedule looked impressive with classes, work, volunteering, rugby, training, early mornings, and late nights. In reality, there were weeks when I felt like I was running on empty. I’d be in lectures but too tired to properly focus, or I’d hand in something that felt rushed because I simply didn’t have enough hours in the day.
Working regular shifts and volunteering has been rewarding, but it has also taught me the importance of knowing my limits. Just because something is a “good opportunity” does not mean it is the right opportunity for that season of life.
What I’ve learned is that balance is not about squeezing everything into your calendar. It is about learning when to pull back, when to say no, and when to prioritise rest. I’ve had to remind myself that law school is not a sprint, it is a marathon. If you try to win every single lap, you burn out before you even reach halfway.
Early Mornings, Big Dreams
My day usually starts at 4:00am or 5:00am, with a morning Pilates class or a run. Some people think that’s ridiculous, and maybe it is, but for me it is one of the few parts of my day that feels completely mine.
Those mornings aren’t really about exercise, they’re about discipline. When I show up for myself that early, it sets the tone for the rest of the day. If I can do the hard thing before sunrise, I can handle readings, assignments, and even the chaos of a long day of work or volunteering, followed by rugby training at night.
There’s also comfort in having a routine. Law school can feel unpredictable. Deadlines sneak up, research gets more complicated the deeper you read, and sometimes everything just hits at once. Starting the day with something consistent keeps me grounded. And while it’s not glamorous (most of the time it’s me half-asleep with coffee or a white monster in hand), it has taught me that consistency matters more than motivation.
The Hidden Curriculum
The most important lessons I’ve learned in law school aren’t in the syllabus. No one teaches you how to manage your energy after a 16-hour day, or how to juggle volunteering and work on top of assignments, or how to bounce back after a disappointing grade. No one marks you on asking for help when you need it, or on finding the confidence to speak up when you feel unsure.
Being a part of the Canadian Law Students Association has shown me this more than anything. First-years often come in worried they’re not “good enough” or that they’re the only ones struggling. But the truth is, everyone struggles. Law school can be isolating if you let it, and the hidden curriculum is about realising that you don’t have to do it alone.
The things that matter: resilience, community, confidence, balance — aren’t written in casebooks, but they’re what make the difference between surviving law school and actually growing through it.
What I’d Tell My First-Year Self
If I could go back to day one, I’d tell myself this: you don’t need to have it all together. You won’t know everything, and that’s okay. Success doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from showing up again and again, even on the days you feel like you can’t.
I’d also remind myself that the 4am alarms will be worth it, that rugby will teach lessons about teamwork and grit just as important as anything you learn in class, and that working and volunteering will shape you in ways no textbook can. The moments you feel overwhelmed don’t mean you’re failing. They mean you’re human.
Most of all, I’d say this: don’t underestimate the hidden curriculum. The discipline you build, the balance you fight for, the resilience you earn, those will matter as much as any doctrine or case you memorise.
Closing Thoughts
Law school will teach you about statutes and case law, but the real growth happens in between the lines. The discipline to keep showing up, the balance to know when to pause, and the resilience to bounce back, that’s the education you don’t find in lecture notes.
So, if you’re feeling like you’re stretched too thin or barely holding it together, you’re not alone. The hidden curriculum is tough, but it’s also the part that shapes you the most. And in the end, it’s what turns you into more than just a law student. It’s what helps you become the kind of lawyer, and person, you actually want to be.