First year law students

Am I Too Old to Go to Law School?

Am I Too Old to Go to Law School?

When I was in law school, one of my classmates was a gentleman in his 70s who had self-started and operated a business for over four decades. He had always wanted to go to law school and his retirement gave him a prime opportunity to realize this ambition. Based on his goals and experiences, the answer to the question may be that you are never too old to go to law school. Of course, every person’s circumstances are different. And the older you get, your reasons for going to law school may differ more from those of persons in their...

Continue reading

Gearing Up For The Second Semester Professionally – Networking

Gearing Up For The Second Semester Professionally - Networking

There is no reason to wait to begin networking simply because you are in your first year of law school. Many law students believe networking starts after law school. However, networking begins in law school and continues well into your legal career. Many believe that networking is easiest when a student is still in law school. The first important point to remember is that networking occurs everywhere at any time. Even your fellow students sitting next to you in class are potential networking partners whether they work in private practice, for the government, or a non-profit organization. Networking events offered by the state bar, non-profit...

Continue reading

Gearing Up For The Second Semester Academically

Gearing Up For The Second Semester Academically

Even if you are a first-year law student satisfied with your first semester grades and feel positive with a sense of accomplishment, you likely want to improve upon this success in the second semester. Here are a few tips for improving your academic performance for your second semester of law school. *Begin anew First and foremost, start fresh with an open, positive perspective. If you were unhappy with your first semester grades, learn any useful lesson from your lackluster performance, move on, and do not dwell on it. If you were satisfied with your grades, avoid overconfidence, and do not assume that...

Continue reading

Pre-Exam Feedback: Where To Get It

Pre-Exam Feedback: Where To Get It

There are various options to help prepare for law exams. You can receive valuable pre-exam feedback from any available source, but some are better than others. Here are a few ways that can help you collect feedback before a law exam. Professors Of course, this is obvious. But think of all the times that you may have taken a test and never discussed the exam with your professor. Unfortunately, many of us have, in fact, approached and taken an exam without meeting with a professor beforehand for a one-on-one meeting. As a result, we miss valuable insights that our professor may add...

Continue reading

I’m Unprepared For The Exam, Now What?

I'm Unprepared For The Exam, Now What?

It happens to many law students, hopefully, no more than once. But, for whatever reason, an exam approaches and you realize that you are unprepared. You fear the worst. While this is not an ideal situation to be in, but it might be possible to avoid an exam disaster. Here are a few tips: An important thing to remember is that this approach will likely not produce an A+ for the exam. The purpose of these suggestions is to help you avoid the worst possible scenario. I would not recommend these suggestions under normal circumstances. *Gather the proper materials. This approach does not greatly involve...

Continue reading

I Finished My Outlines, What’s The Best Way To Learn Them?

I Finished My Outlines, What's The Best Way To Learn Them?

The preparation of a law outline is an arduous, time-consuming process. And then comes the fun part: learning them. Once you have finished your outlines, what is the best way to learn them? *Outline the material yourself This is advice that seems to be repeated ad nauseum but that’s because it is important to create your own law outlines. It is significantly easier to understand and memorize a body of work that you have organized yourself. Do not use a commercial or other student’s outline as your main outline but only as a supplement to creating your personal outlines. *Interact with your...

Continue reading

Memorization Techniques & Learning The Law

Memorization Techniques & Learning The Law

When talking about memorization and studying, it means understanding material and memorizing a substantial amount of material, in a short amount of time. While law school exams primarily require applied knowledge, not rote memorization, you still have to know the material, which requires some (a lot of) memorization. Repetition of the material is necessary for retention of the material. This requires repeatedly studying a topic or concept and actively practicing your recall of it. There are devices available to help you such as your course outline or even flashcards. Of course, any device is only as good as the time truly spent repeating your review...

Continue reading

Different Approaches To Taking Notes

Different Approaches To Taking Notes

Taking good notes is an essential component of excelling in any academic course. How should you approach taking notes? Does the fact that you are in law school change this approach in any way? Most of us simply try to summarize what we think is important. Next, we try to note a key point as quickly as possible so that we are ready for the next. Nonetheless, there are some alternative approaches that you can take to improve how you take notes. Things change from the old to the new. This is certainly no secret. However, it is important to remember...

Continue reading

Attributes of A Good Law Outline

Attributes of A Good Law Outline

Every law student is familiar with the benefits of a well-written outline but not every law student knows how to write one.  There are certain attributes that a good law outline contains. It is important to start outlining as soon as possible in the semester or quarter. Organizing your class notes is not the equivalent of making a comprehensive, quality outline. Also, consider doing your outline yourself without any assistance from your fellow students. A self-written outline should mirror your learning style. Here are some attributes of a good law outline. *The outline is well-organized Review your course syllabus as well as the...

Continue reading

Time Management Goes A Long Way In Law School

Time Management Goes A Long Way In Law School

The perception, or myth, that law school consumes every moment of a student’s time and energy is alive and well. Of course, students that manage their time effectively are much more likely to succeed in law school than those students who do not. Here are some time management tips. *Calendar your activities Once you receive your class schedule, calendar it. Review the syllabus for each class. Get an idea of when you will prepare for each class. Calendar your study time windows for the current week. Try to stay, at least, one week ahead. *Determine what routine works best for you Adhering to a...

Continue reading
Font Resize