Being an Introvert in Law School

Law school attracts extroverts and in many ways is designed for them.  An astute law student must highlight their successes, be vocal participants in a Socratic classroom, and zealously advocate in order to thrive in the competitive law school environment.  However, being an introvert does not mean that an individual cannot excel in law school or contribute meaningfully to the practice of law. 

There is a great TED talk by Susan Cain, a lawyer turned writer, who explores introversion and the value of quiet.   In this TED talk, she implores everyone to “stop the constant group work”, “unplug and get inside your own head”, and share your gifts with others.  Part of her manifesto includes a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”  How beautiful would it be for law school classrooms to honor the quiet introvert as much as the outspoken extrovert?  Is it possible to encourage “gentle shaking” in a law school doctrinal classroom?  Here are a few suggestions that will help introverts feel more comfortable speaking up and contributing in a sometimes intimidating law school classroom.

• Rethink participation during class and provide alternative means to have students engage with the material or with each other.
• See each student as an individual who expresses their ideas and knowledge in multiple and various ways.
• Have students sign up to be the expert for a particular class period or for a particular set of cases.
• Use think- pair-share prior to full classroom discussions about a topic, case, or set of problems.
• Distribute or post discussion questions with the reading assignment prior to class.
• Allow students to pass in class (within reason).
• Teach students how to brief cases and prepare for class discussions.  This type of transparency will create more engaged students and lead to a more a dynamic discussion.
• Do not call on students too quickly.  Let the question stew with the class and allow introverts more time to reflect and process. 
• Consider a flipped classroom so that students feel more prepared to discuss and/or participate during class time. 
• Use technology in the classroom.  Technology is ubiquitous, and can be integrated it into the classroom to provide added layers of participation and engagement- especially for diverse learners.
• Create learning groups, which will help make a large law school classroom more accessible to introverts.
• Reflect on your own learning style and personality.  How do they affect your teaching style and how is your delivery received by extroverts and introverts?  How can alter your style to be more inclusive?

 

(Lisa Bove Young)