Law School

[Kevin]

I have a messenger bag which is big enough to hold my laptop and two textbooks.

Word vs. Onenote? I prefer Word. The trick is to start your outline from day 1. Take all of your notes in outline form. Word is really good for that. Also, I'm more familiar with it. You won't really have time to learn a new piece of software. Stick to what's comfortable.

[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!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Two more questions... Any recommendations for a good bag that will hold books and my laptop? Also, I'm inclined to use Word for note-taking, but a lot of people have been gushing about Microsoft OneNote-- any thoughts?

I feel so old . . . so very, very old. Our choices were between pencils and pens.

I actually rarely took notes in law school. Not a practice (or lack of one) I'd recommend to anyone else, though.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

True. The reality is that, unless you're up for a SCOTUS appointment, three years out of law school nobody cares what your grades or your class rank were anymore. They really only matter for that first job -- maybe the second job, too, if you clerk out of law school. Maybe.

This is no doubt true. Of course, you need good grades (often from a good school) to land at a good firm, which will provide you with the best longterm opportunities. I've also considered gov't agencies, some of which provide good exit options.

I'd recommend OneNote, it works well and almost everyone in my section used it.

[Kevin]

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!

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.

[adpiucf]

But I should brief at least the first week, right, just to get an idea of what to do?

I think I am going to stick with Word. OneNote has a lot of cool features, but I know the bells and whistles in Word to get it to do what I want. Plus, like many of you mentioned, there's a benefit to retyping and revamping your notes-- things tend to sink in better.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

But I should brief at least the first week, right, just to get an idea of what to do?

I think I am going to stick with Word. OneNote has a lot of cool features, but I know the bells and whistles in Word to get it to do what I want. Plus, like many of you mentioned, there's a benefit to retyping and revamping your notes-- things tend to sink in better.

Yeah.. I would brief the first week.

[LegallyBrunette]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

But I should brief at least the first week, right, just to get an idea of what to do?

I would say yes. You'll probably develop a better system on your own eventually (like Kevin's, for example), but I found briefing to be a good introduction on how to start organizing the information in cases.

Basically, there are tons of guides, software programs, hornbooks and suggestions you'll encounter, but ultimately there is no one way to succeed in law school and it's ultimately a matter of finding what works best for you. (At least, that has been my experience).

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by LegallyBrunette

I would say yes. You'll probably develop a better system on your own eventually (like Kevin's, for example), but I found briefing to be a good introduction on how to start organizing the information in cases.

Basically, there are tons of guides, software programs, hornbooks and suggestions you'll encounter, but ultimately there is no one way to succeed in law school and it's ultimately a matter of finding what works best for you. (At least, that has been my experience).

True.

Also, I found CALI to be instrumental in my finals preparation my first year. Try it. As you go on, the lessons aren't nearly as good for later level classes.

[adpiucf]

I got my course schedule! Horray... and I bought books-- boo! I had to buy them locally-- not enough time to order them online before classes start.

Can anyone recommend first year supplements that were the most valubale to you? It seems the E&E's and Gilberts Outlines get a lot of good feedback.

Also, how vital is it to have the current edition of a supplement? For example-- there's a brand new 2007 E&E for Professional Responsibility and no used yet available; the former edition was 2004. I'd rather save a lot of $ and buy the 2004, but if it won't be useful I'll pony up for full price.

Thanks again!

[kddani]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I got my course schedule! Horray... and I bought books-- boo! I had to buy them locally-- not enough time to order them online before classes start.

Can anyone recommend first year supplements that were the most valubale to you? It seems the E&E's and Gilberts Outlines get a lot of good feedback.

Also, how vital is it to have the current edition of a supplement? For example-- there's a brand new 2007 E&E for Professional Responsibility and no used yet available; the former edition was 2004. I'd rather save a lot of $ and buy the 2004, but if it won't be useful I'll pony up for full price.

Thanks again!

Don't waste a lot of money on that stuff until you figure out what works for you. For instance- you should not need E&E for Professional Responsibility- that's throwing money away. Professional Responsibility is pretty much a cake class, you just need to study the rules. This stuff adds up every semester, you did not need a study aid for every class. You just won't have the time to read everything.

Save your money for classes where you need it. E&E is great for Civ Pro and classes that may be more about concepts (Glannon is my hero and it was actually a required text for me!). Different classes lend them to different things. E&E is great if you're having some difficulty with the concepts because it gives you examples and explanations (duh). However, Torts and Criminal Law, you understand the concepts easier, but may need some help with remembering the elements, and an outline style book may be better for you. Or maybe you don't need anything at all.

Also, if you sign up for Barbri first year (which you probably should), you'll get their outline books, which are great and not really anything different than what's you'd get in a Gilbert's, etc.

You may also find the flashcards helpful. But again, it all depends on your style, and also your professors' approaches.

[GeekyPenguin]

Don't buy an old supplement for PR - the ABA Rules of Professional Conduct just changed recently and an old supplement will have the old rules.

I like Gilberts and I like CrunchTime, I am way too lazy to wade through a whole E&E on most subjects.

I also don't take a lot of notes in most of my classes and like MysticCat I'd have to say that's probably not a good idea.

[deadbear80]

I was a fan of Crunchtime and E & E (for certain subjects). I also thought the "Understanding" series was pretty good (as did my cousin). For PR, either buy Crunchtime or use a Nutshell. Don't waste the money on E & E. I thought E & E was most helpful for Con Law II/III (Civil Rights/Liberties & 1st Amendment), Fed Income Tax, and Trusts & Estates. The flashcards are actually nice too for 1st year subjects and Evidence.

I would wait and see how much you understand a class though before you go out and buy stuff. I don't know how it is where you are, but our bookstore wouldn't let us return study aids even if they were never written in/opened at all/etc. After a couple of weeks, go look at the study aids and see what would be most helpful to you before buying. They add up quickly.

adpiucf, aren't you a 1L? Are they teaching you guys PR during 1L? If they aren't, don't go buying study aids for classes that you aren't going to be taking just yet. You never know how things will be and when you'll take a class. For all you know, things will change between now and when you graduate with certain laws and you don't want to be stuck with study aids that won't be helpful.

[shinerbock]

I think E&E is fantastic, especially for Civ Pro.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by deadbear80

adpiucf, aren't you a 1L? Are they teaching you guys PR during 1L? If they aren't, don't go buying study aids for classes that you aren't going to be taking just yet. You never know how things will be and when you'll take a class. For all you know, things will change between now and when you graduate with certain laws and you don't want to be stuck with study aids that won't be helpful.

Yep-- I am starting 1L next week-- and PR is a first semester course. Which is typical for my school, I suppose-- everyone else I have talked to at other schools takes it as a required elective between 2L and 3L!

Thank you all so much for the advice. I'm sure I'll more neurotic questions over the next few months, and I appreciate the insight!