0L Books

[Kevin]

The only book I read that wasn't for class was "Getting to Maybe." It's a good manual on how to write good tests. All of my professors praised the IRAC method. I, on the book's advice ditched IRAC and did pretty well (5th in class).

I'm not huge on self-help books. Mostly, if you just manage your time well, and do whatever works for you as far as learning the cases and rules, you'll be fine.

Don't read too much, once class starts, there'll be plenty to read. Go play some video games for now.

[kstar]

The only thing I would reccomend is "One L."

I am not in law school, and this book is what made me change my mind. I realized that it really wasn't for me. However, it was good to read it (my bf is a 2L) because I knew what to expect. It is a frank and honest description of life in law school.

[shinerbock]

I can't really give advice on the subject, but what I've been doing is reading things that will help me fill in gaps. I did this for some undergrad classes I thought might be tough as well...I just read history/law books, often ones that are still entertaining to fill in gaps that I know about, but should be more sure of. I have a habit of sometimes breezing over the basics, so getting the back story is helpful. For example, this summer I realized that while I'm by no means ignorant of the American Revolution, I haven't had a class on it in a while and I feel like my knowledge of it has faded. So rather than read a history book, I read John Adams and 1776 (Both by David McCullough), which are great books and very informative. I also have a friend who just graduated from law school, and he mentioned that I shouldn't try and "study" this summer, but rather just to read and pay attention to law-related things to keep abreast. He recommended I read books like The Supreme Court by CJ Rehnquist (which I found informative because he goes through the various courts...its a good refresh and may give you background on some things that could be brought up during law school). I also just spend a few minutes checking the washington and legal sections of the WP and CNN everyday, just because I think exposing myself to decisions and terminology may prove helpful. I've heard from law school friends that it is very frustrating for people who come in without even so much as a "hollywood" legal vocabulary.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by kstar

The only thing I would reccomend is "One L."

I am not in law school, and this book is what made me change my mind. I realized that it really wasn't for me. However, it was good to read it (my bf is a 2L) because I knew what to expect. It is a frank and honest description of life in law school.

One L is rather dated and overdramatic. It's interesting to read, but it's certainly not very applicable to today's law school world. It was probably overdramatic when it was written... otherwise no one would have bought it! Law school is NOT that exciting. It's a work of fiction.

Really, there's nothing you can read or do to prepare. There's no set method to outline cases, etc. You need to figure out what works for you. But figure it out as you go. These books aren't going to do anything but get you all worked up.

The only book I would recommend buying is a full copy of Black's Law Dictionary. You will refer to it millions of times, particularly first year.

Otherwise, don't sweat law school until you actually get there. The books are pretty much useless moneymakers aimed at overanxious law students with a need to buy something to feel more prepared. Nothing- not a book, not any person, movie, etc. - can prepare you for law school.

[KSigkid]

I don't plan on reading anything extra relating to legal works; I work for a bar association and help to copy-edit a major bar journal.

I'm just going to relax as much as possible before I start classes.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I don't plan on reading anything extra relating to legal works; I work for a bar association and help to copy-edit a major bar journal.

I'm just going to relax as much as possible before I start classes.

That's the way to do it. If you want to read, read something fun! You'll be doing plenty of boring reading later.

Cool that you copy edit a bar journal... my best friend is an editor of ours and loves it.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by kddani

That's the way to do it. If you want to read, read something fun! You'll be doing plenty of boring reading later.

Cool that you copy edit a bar journal... my best friend is an editor of ours and loves it.

That's what I figure - I'll get all the legal reading I can handle in a month or so.

It is a cool job (part of my position working in communications) - I stick to the grammatical editing, but I've learned a lot from our Board of Editors (made up of attorneys in the community). I've also been able to sit in on a bunch of interesting meetings on things such as emminent domain, attorney-client privilege, and statute of limitations in sexual abuse cases (a big topic here in MA). It hasn't made me an expert, by any stretch, but it's really interesting, and it has helped hone my writing and editing skills even further.

[GeekyPenguin]

I know people who were obessed with Law School Confidential and/or Planet Law School. I did better than all of them and I'm not in the top of our class...

Things I would recommend:

1) Make your own outline and update it weekly. I did this second semester, but not first. My grades got better.
2) Schedule in free time every day. Work out, watch a TV show, call an old friend - do not obsess about the law.
3) DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE EXAM AFTER THE EXAM. I hate people who do this.
4) Do not get a rolly bag unless you weight 90 lbs. I hate people with rolly bags. They run over my feet.

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by kddani

Really, there's nothing you can read or do to prepare. There's no set method to outline cases, etc. You need to figure out what works for you. But figure it out as you go. These books aren't going to do anything but get you all worked up.

The only book I would recommend buying is a full copy of Black's Law Dictionary. You will refer to it millions of times, particularly first year.

Otherwise, don't sweat law school until you actually get there. The books are pretty much useless moneymakers aimed at overanxious law students with a need to buy something to feel more prepared. Nothing- not a book, not any person, movie, etc. - can prepare you for law school.

So true. Seriously, one recommendation I would add to this is STOP listening to people who haven't been there and take what people who have been there say with a grain of salt. Everyone (including current law students and lawyers) has their own theory on what you should do. My perspective has changed SO much since graduating, taking/passing the bar and starting to work as a lawyer. Just like most of life, everything works differently for different people. When it comes down to it, law school is about learning how to think, studying and preparing well for tests. Don't let the stress of what you "think" law school is fool you and stress you out.

[BobbyTheDon]

Originally Posted by kddani

Nothing- not a book, not any person, movie, etc. - can prepare you for law school.

Take away the words law school, and insert the word pledging and it sounds like something my chapter would say to pledges.