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Law school often asks you to make decisions before you feel entirely ready to make them. Electives are no exception. The questions come up early, even if the answers take time.
As a second-year evening student, I have not yet had to formally choose my electives. Technically, I am still in what would be the first year, second semester of traditional law school. But, as I move closer to my third year, when elective choices and schedule choices are in my hands, I have started thinking more intentionally about electives.
The first step for me has been looking ahead rather than waiting until the moment arrives. One practical consideration is identifying courses that are tested on the bar exam and seeing how they realistically fit alongside a full-time job and other responsibilities. Bar-tested courses matter, and knowing when they are offered and how they align with work and life helps make the process feel manageable and strategic. As a heads up, here are some bar courses offered: Criminal Procedure, Trust & Wills, Remedies, and Marital Property. Fortunately, Loyola offers a wide range of electives, including bar courses, in the evening, making it easy to plan for electives.
At the same time, electives are not just about bar prep. Law school is demanding, and taking at least one class that genuinely interests you can make a semester feel lighter and more engaging. As someone who is a gamer, I am especially excited about the possibility of taking Videogame Law, an elective that connects my creative interests with the evolving intersection of law and video games.
Even without choosing electives yet, I have already seen the value of electives. This year, we were placed into Legislation and Regulation, an elective course, which I have come to appreciate deeply. Learning how to read and interpret statutes and understanding how agency regulations fit into broader legal frameworks feels foundational, regardless of practice area. It was a reminder that some courses quietly shape how we think as attorneys long before we realize it.
For now, I am approaching electives the same way I approach much of law school: with preparation, openness, and patience.