Quote:
Originally Posted by LegallyBrunette
I used a couple different bags, depending on the day, but actually found a North Face backpack to be the biggest and most comfortable. I had a few shoulder bags/messenger bags but found I usually ended up with a killer backache (I go to a school in an urban area that requires lots of walking to get home, so if you don't have to walk far, you'll probably be fine).That is, of course, assuming you don't want to incur the wrath of your fellow students by investing in a rolly bag (practical for back health, but annoying as hell to everyone around you--law schools are not airports).
As far as taking notes, I use Word too. Unlike Kevin, I do not worry about getting my notes in outline form initially. My opinion is that law school is overwhelming enough in the beginning to be prematurely concerned with outlining. Also as a very new 1L, what is important in class & your readings probably won't be readily apparent. Plus, converting my notes to outlines later in the semester has been my most useful study tool since it forces me revisit, re-organize and rewrite (I don't cut & paste) all of my notes, rather than just reading through them.
Good luck!
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Yeah.. I have my finals study regimen down to an art form now... I take my notes in outline form, but then I completely redo/revamp my outline (starting from scratch and using several sources) probably around 2 weeks out from the final. I then take that outline and go into word, making a study sheet for rules and a study sheet for cases. I then put on one of those either the name of a rule, a question pertaining to it, etc. on the left with the answer on the right. For cases, I put the case name on the left and a one-sentence description of the facts and the holding on the right. I then memorize those.
Starting in outline form, however, saves me a lot of time. It's no that I use my note outline exclusively, it's just nice to have it all in one file and pretty much in order from the get-go. I can also use it to ensure I have a comprehensive outline.
A word on case briefing -- don't bother. I just book-brief everything. I highlight everything in about 8 colors, each color meaning something different (rules are green, holding is orange, interesting stuff is yellow, facts are pink, dissent holding is blue, trial court ruling is purple, intermediate court is red, etc.) I write questions and thoughts in the margins. A lot of people don't even go that far. Emmanuel's makes some pretty good brief books. I know people who do pretty well on those alone.