Even if you are not in a joint degree program, you can take advantage of the breadth of courses available outside the law school. For credit, no less! Students can take up to six credit hours outside the law school towards graduating hours.

Summer course options at the law school are generally light - which makes summer an ideal time to add variety to your elective coursework. Last summer I took a Saturday class in the Graduate School of Business. While registration was far more paperwork than I had anticipated (though hopefully the process has improved), I garnered two additional credits: the GW MBA-standard 1.5 credit per course plus an additional 0.5 credits for writing a paper. During the registration process I learned that the law school does not allow half-credits... but all MBA classes are 1.5 credits. This is an unfortunate dilemma but as you can see, creative ways to get around this abound. The way to get started is to involve our Records Office and the registration office at your target department.

Once successfully registered, I experienced life beyond 20th and H Street, NW. Duques Hall is a beautiful new building, and I don't think I'll ever get over how comfortable the classroom chairs are over there. Side note for anyone reading who has authority to either buy new chairs or permanently "borrow" the B-school's: I think it's time we upgrade our chairs. And it was pretty great to take a class with an entirely different format and approach to what we are used to. The experience was so positive that I plan to do it again next summer - if not before. With so many ways to learn at GWU, I would not want to miss out by spending three whole years in just the three neighboring law school buildings without venturing into another classroom, somewhere, on campus.

A great way to keep up with happenings outside the law school requires seeking out information.  What are you interested in? What, in addition to law, were you excited about when you committed to attend GWU?  While it is very easy to get wrapped up in the activities around law school, phenomenal speakers frequently come by other departments for presentations, symposiums, and other activities. Getting to know more about these events will provide you with a wealth of intellectual stimulation. Not to mention some pretty creative date nights.

Recently, I subscribed to the weekly newsletter highlighting events at the Elliott School for International Affairs. Every academic department at GWU has a lot of activity, especially around this time of the semester, and the Elliott School is no exception. From speaker series to forums discussing the role the United States plays in international affairs, many events are open to all GWU students. So far, an intriguing event has caught my eye no less than once a week.

All it takes is tapping into the newsletter, or calendar - depending on the school(s) you are interested in.  I found that simply browsing the GWU website and reviewing the Events page on the websites for departments that caught my eye brought me straight to where I could subscribe to a regular newsletter. Upcoming event details are delivered to you - then it's up to you whether to attend.

Three years can fly by - and how you spend that time is entirely up to you. Some students immerse themselves in law school life, some study abroad, and others pursue education outside the law school.  The opportunities are pretty close to endless, and participating in something that truly resonates with you will make your experience here even more enriching.