1. Casebook Reading. Don't spend sooo much time & focus on reading the case books. Spend more time understand the concepts and spotting those concepts in a fact pattern. This will serve you better than reading 1000 pages of casebook.
2. Study Groups. Studying in groups can be helpful especially when exams roll around. However, when studying/reviewing on a daily basis, I believe it's best to study in seclusion. I studied in a group last semester, thinking that anything I didn't know someone else could explain to me and vice versa. I have since learned that the distraction far outweighs the benefit. Study alone. If you end up with question write it down and ask a classmate later or better yet email your question to your professor.
3. Study Aids. Study aids are AMAZING…IF used correctly! In order to utilize the best study guides have to offer, you have to use them as a supplement to your own class notes and outlines. Cross-reference between the two. Using study aids as your primary source is not going to help you, you will miss something that was mentioned in class. Study guides are generic, professors are specific with what they're looking for.
4. Other People's Outlines. Other peoples outlines are similar to study aids, only use them in addition to your own notes and outlines. Make sure they are CORRECT outlines and from someone you trust. I haven't experienced it yet, but some people are privy to sabotaging fellow students.
5. Case Briefing. I have mixed feelings about case briefing. It is incredibly helpful in honing issue spotting skills and IRAC formatting. However, it can also be quite time consuming. I have found Ecasebriefs to be helpful. Just make sure you're understanding the facts, rule, issue, and analysis, don't just use the briefs to get through being called on in class; you will get lost and learn nothing.
Sooo much more to say…I anticipate a part 2 coming sometime soon.
2. Study Groups. Studying in groups can be helpful especially when exams roll around. However, when studying/reviewing on a daily basis, I believe it's best to study in seclusion. I studied in a group last semester, thinking that anything I didn't know someone else could explain to me and vice versa. I have since learned that the distraction far outweighs the benefit. Study alone. If you end up with question write it down and ask a classmate later or better yet email your question to your professor.
3. Study Aids. Study aids are AMAZING…IF used correctly! In order to utilize the best study guides have to offer, you have to use them as a supplement to your own class notes and outlines. Cross-reference between the two. Using study aids as your primary source is not going to help you, you will miss something that was mentioned in class. Study guides are generic, professors are specific with what they're looking for.
4. Other People's Outlines. Other peoples outlines are similar to study aids, only use them in addition to your own notes and outlines. Make sure they are CORRECT outlines and from someone you trust. I haven't experienced it yet, but some people are privy to sabotaging fellow students.
5. Case Briefing. I have mixed feelings about case briefing. It is incredibly helpful in honing issue spotting skills and IRAC formatting. However, it can also be quite time consuming. I have found Ecasebriefs to be helpful. Just make sure you're understanding the facts, rule, issue, and analysis, don't just use the briefs to get through being called on in class; you will get lost and learn nothing.
Sooo much more to say…I anticipate a part 2 coming sometime soon.
This post first appeared on The Violet Reports - My Law Review, please read the originial post: here
