Kara Sears
Preparing for your first class of law school can be daunting, but there are many ways to get ready for your first year. It's important to enter law school rested and prepared, so make sure to take time to relax before you begin. To get a head start, you can access online prep courses, guidebooks, and free LSAT practice tests. You can also get a feel for the law school environment by visiting a law school, sitting in on a class, and talking to alumni, current students, and professors. To get a sense of what to expect, you can also read books such as Scott Turow's One L and Professor Andrew McClurg's 1L of a Ride. It's also a good idea to define your career goals before you start and to select challenging classes that will enhance your reading comprehension, writing, and analytical skills.
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What You'll Learn
Understand academic expectations and law school culture
The first year of law school can be daunting, and it is important to understand the academic expectations and law school culture to prepare for your first class. Law school is a professional school meant to prepare you for a career, so it is important to pursue clear career goals and gain expertise in a few fields. Reading comprehension, writing, and analytical skills are crucial for success in law school, so select challenging classes that will enhance these abilities.
To understand the academic expectations, you can take advantage of resources such as guidebooks, online prep courses, and advice from current law students and alumni. LawHub's Ultimate Law School Prep offers interactive courses that provide insight into the academic expectations and help you transition smoothly into your first year. You can also prepare by familiarizing yourself with law school vocabulary, learning how to read and brief cases, and developing effective note-taking strategies.
In addition, gaining access to upperclassmen outlines can be extremely beneficial. These outlines provide a detailed preview of what to expect from your professor's course, as the material taught tends to remain consistent year after year. Networking with upperclassmen during orientation or joining student organizations are strategies to obtain these valuable outlines.
Furthermore, understanding the law school culture is essential. Law school can be a uniquely stressful experience, so establishing a stress management plan that includes ample exercise and sleep is crucial. Law school professors often teach using the Socratic method, which involves calling on students unannounced, and they may come across as serious and unapproachable to maintain control of the classroom discussion. However, don't be intimidated, as many professors are eager to engage with students outside the classroom during office hours or review sessions.
By comprehending the academic expectations and law school culture, you can walk into your first class with confidence and a strong foundation for success.
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Develop note-taking and case-briefing skills
Note-taking and case-briefing are essential skills for law students. Here are some tips to develop these skills before your first class:
Note-taking skills:
- Handwriting vs. typing: While most students type their notes, consider writing notes by hand. Handwriting notes can help improve retention and deepen your understanding of the concepts. However, typing may be faster and make organizing notes easier. Choose the method that works best for you.
- Abbreviate and colour-code: Use abbreviations to save time and create your own shorthand. Colour-coding can also be helpful. For example, using red for rules, blue for case notes, and green for hypotheticals.
- Focus on hypotheticals: Hypothetical scenarios are essential in law as they show how a case can be applied to different circumstances. Make sure to note them down during lectures and use them to prepare for exams.
- Organize and review: Develop a system to organize your notes for easy reference. Review your notes regularly to reinforce your understanding and identify areas that need clarification.
Case-briefing skills:
- Understand the purpose: A case brief should outline the essential information about a case concisely. It typically includes the procedural history, facts, holding and rule, and reasoning.
- Keep it concise: Aim for brevity in your case briefs. Limit them to one page or a few sentences to make them easily skimmable and manageable.
- Annotate and highlight: Use textual markings, margin notes, and annotations to highlight important details and refresh your memory when reviewing cases.
- Include relevant facts: Provide a brief summary of the necessary facts to remind you of the story and help you understand how the law was applied. Include dispositive facts that influenced the decision.
- Practice: Case briefing is a skill that develops with practice. The more you brief cases, the easier it will become to extract relevant information and improve your legal analysis abilities.
Additionally, seek resources and guidance from your law school. Many schools offer courses or workshops on effective note-taking and case briefing, providing you with the tools and techniques to excel in your legal studies.
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Prepare for the Socratic method
The Socratic method is a common instructional style in many law schools. It involves cold-calling on students and interrogating them about the facts and decisions in various court cases. This pedagogical technique helps students understand the rationale behind legal decisions and develop critical thinking skills.
To prepare for the Socratic method, it is important to recognize that it is not used to intimidate or "break down" new law students. Instead, it is a tool to engage a large group of students in a discussion and develop their critical thinking skills. Knowing this can help reduce any anxiety associated with the Socratic method.
To perform well in a Socratic method class, it is recommended to bolster public speaking skills. This can be done by participating in extracurricular activities like student government or by simply practicing raising your hand in undergraduate courses to gain confidence in communicating effectively. Additionally, obtaining upperclassmen outlines can help you preview the material and prepare for class.
It is also important to remember that making mistakes in class is inevitable and ultimately helpful in working towards solutions to difficult legal problems. Embrace the element of surprise and actively participate in the Socratic dialogue to get the most out of this teaching method.
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Get essential materials, like upperclassmen outlines
Upperclassmen outlines are essential for preparing for your first law class. These outlines are detailed summaries of the course, created by previous students who performed well. They are often passed down from student to student and can give you a good idea of what to expect from the class. Professors tend to teach the same material each year, so these outlines can serve as daily transcripts.
To get your hands on these outlines, you'll likely need to ask past students. Networking events during orientation are a great opportunity to meet upperclassmen and casually ask for their outlines. Joining student organisations is another effective way to access these resources, as many student-run clubs maintain a bank of outlines.
While these outlines are incredibly useful, creating your own is beneficial for solidifying your understanding of the material. Combine your notes with case briefs, class notes, casebooks, and study aids to develop a comprehensive outline. This process reflects your unique learning journey and helps you internalise the information.
In addition to upperclassmen outlines, commercial supplements can also aid your preparation. Examples and Explanations, Emmanuel's Law Outlines, and BABRI outlines are all recommended resources. However, it's important not to get overwhelmed by purchasing too many different supplements.
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Define your career goals
Preparing for your first law class involves understanding the academic expectations and gaining the skills to balance school and personal life. It is important to set precise, measurable, clear, and focused career goals that align with your priorities and values. Here are some tips to define your career goals as you prepare for your first law class:
Understand the complexities of the legal system
Understanding the intricacies of the legal profession is essential for setting meaningful career goals. Familiarize yourself with the various practice areas, settings, and challenges unique to the legal field. This foundational knowledge will enable you to set realistic and well-informed goals that consider the complexities of legal practice.
Set short-term and long-term goals
A balanced approach to career development involves setting both short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals are immediate objectives achievable within a year, providing incremental steps toward your overall long-term vision. For example, a short-term goal might be completing a continuing legal education (CLE) course to expand your knowledge in a specific practice area. This incremental step could contribute to your long-term goal of becoming an authority in that field.
Focus on expertise and specialization
Developing deep expertise in a specific area of law can set you apart in your career. Consider your areas of interest, such as tax law, intellectual property, or criminal defense, and set goals to build your knowledge and reputation in those fields. Pursue further education, certifications, or seek opportunities to work on high-profile cases that showcase your expertise.
Align goals with your values and priorities
Ensure that your career goals align with your values and priorities. For instance, if you prioritize social impact, set goals that involve pro bono work, legal reforms, or collaborations with non-profit organizations. By aligning your goals with your values, you can ensure that your career advancement also contributes meaningfully to society.
Stay realistic and adaptable
While it's important to set ambitious goals, ensure they are realistic and attainable. Avoid setting unrealistic targets that can be demoralizing. At the same time, ensure your goals are challenging enough to provide a sense of accomplishment. Stay adaptable by regularly evaluating your goals and adjusting your strategies as needed.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many online resources and prep courses available to help you prepare for your first law class. You can also get in touch with your school's admission office to ask for a tour and sit in on a class. It is also a good idea to prepare for the LSAT, which will help you hone your critical thinking and reasoning skills.
It is important to get your hands on upperclassmen outlines. These are fully briefed outlines of your specific professor’s course from previous students who did well. Professors will almost always teach the exact same material every year, so these outlines will be a preview of what to expect from class. You can get these outlines from past students or by joining a student organization.
It is important to prepare for class by doing the reading, briefing cases, and outlining concepts. Develop your own system for keeping your notes straight and understanding how cases relate to one another. It is also a good idea to attend office hours to get to know your professors and discuss your personal interests.
It is important to define your career goals before attending law school. You should also seek the advice of mentors and try to find people who share your interests. Many law schools have student emissaries and almost all have a coordinator of student services.
