Are you a law student struggling to understand the effective study techniques that will help you survive in law school? Do not worry; I had the same feeling during my first weeks in law school. The first thing that strikes us is the vast syllabus and the anxiety of completing the same. Do not fret; this article will discuss the best study techniques for law students that will help them survive law school.
Top Study Techniques for Law Students
A good strategy to study law goes a long way in achieving good grades and avoiding mental stress during exam season. So, as law students, you must make use of the appropriate study techniques for law students to complete the vast law course syllabus with ease. Here are some study techniques mentioned below.
Do Your Reading
One of the best study techniques for law students is extensive reading. Before you go into the depths of studying your subjects, read everything in your assigned course. Moreover, do your reading when you’re most alert during the day. This is because if you procrastinate on reading, you will stay caught up, and that’s not a good scenario in law school.
Similarly, make sure you develop a habit of reading daily. However, do your reading in a location where you’ll be least distracted. So, you can read in your school’s library or dorm room. Further, reading regularly will also decrease your time to prepare for class.
Take Notes and Brief Cases
Another studying tip for law students is taking notes while reading. Whenever you are reading a new case, make sure you’re noting down the significant facts associated with the same.
Taking notes while reading will help you understand the rationale behind the court’s decision. So this technique is called “briefing” of cases. Further, ensure you’re briefing your case rather than writing long notes.
Review Before Going to Class
Another study technique for law students that helps extensively is reviewing your reading notes (case briefs) right before class. By doing this, you’ll have a proper idea of the case you read before attending class.
Similarly, this study technique is appropriate as it will allow you to follow the class discussions effectively. However, it will also save you from the embarrassment of being called out by the professor to explain the case and you do not know what has been happening.
Attend Your Classes
You’ll observe that law professors usually cover materials in class that you won’t find in your readings. So, if you fail to attend classes it will lead you to a mess during your final exams.
Moreover, if you miss more than 20% of your classes, you will be marked with “FW” at the end of each course session. This will be considered an “F” grade that shall stick to your academic records, which can’t be changed even if you retake the course.
Participate in Class Discussions
It has been observed that students who take part in class discussions are better at grasping the subject that is being taught to them.
So, there’s no point in being a wallflower during your class, so make sure you’re engaging in the discussions that are being held in the class.
Take Notes in Class
To succeed in law school, it is necessary that you take notes of the discussion that goes on in class. This will help you later when you’re sitting down to complete an assignment or analyze new cases you might read that have been reviewed in class.
However, refrain from taking notes while your professor discusses essential topics in class. This might create a wrong impression in class that you need to be more engaging during class discussions.
Create a Study Group
Being a part of a study group is one of the best study techniques for law students. You will observe that discussing your study materials with your classmates will give you a better understanding of the course materials.
Moreover, being a part of a study group will also allow you to gain valuable tips from your peers when studying a subject. Make sure you’re creating a study group with peers with similar academic goals.
However, ensure you’re not turning your study session in the group into gossiping sessions. This will distract you from achieving your academic goal. Also, make sure not to turn your study sessions into a venting session to release stress. Further, if you feel you’re not benefiting from the study group, feel free to resign from the same.
Always Review
Just because you don’t have an exam coming up, that should not stop you from reviewing your reading materials. Understand that you’re no longer in your undergraduate school, where you can cram all up right before your final exams to get good grades.
In law school, you must diligently study patterns to succeed. So, take time from your daily routine to review your course materials, which will be beneficial in passing your final examination.
Attend Review Sessions Held by Professors
In law school, you’ll observe that before exams, professors tend to hold review sessions. Attending these sessions is a great way through which you can clarify your doubts before sitting for the exam.
Similarly, these sessions will save you from the trouble of lining up outside your professor’s office to clear up your confusion. Moreover, during these sessions, you’ll also learn tips on how to write answers for your exams. So, it’s an overall win-win situation.
Take Feedback from Your Professor
If you find yourself in a situation where your professor asks you to do an assignment that they’ll check, do it! This will be a great opportunity for you to have feedback on your efforts.
Similarly, the input your professor will give in your assignment will assist you in improving your existing capacity and further lead you to better grades in your upcoming assignments or examinations.
Take Mock Exams
This is another study technique that shall help you in succeeding as a law student. Make sure you’re taking practice exams on subjects that have already been conducted by your professors in a previous semester or batch. This technique will help you understand the pattern of question papers created in different subjects.
Also, make sure, whether your law school has a database of sample answers for the practice exams you’re willing to take. Reviewing the sample answers will help you understand how to write answers for a particular law subject.
Create a Study Plan
You might complain that you need more time to briefcases, prepare outlines, and take practice exams. Well, you’re wrong! You have to create a study plan that will allow you to make time for each task.
We do not expect you to spend all your day studying and preparing for law school, as it will take a toll on your mental health. Due to this, creating a study plan that will appropriately allocate your time is essential.
Create it in a way that allows you to have enough time to prepare for law school and also give you leisure time to relax or do anything apart from worrying about law school.
Get Help From Seniors/Professors If Needed
Law students are expected to worry about the subjects covered in the syllabus, how to prepare for class and exams, and how to manage time to take law exams. So, if you’re also someone going through the same thought process, worry not.
Your law school will have online and offline databases with learning materials crucial to succeed in law school. Moreover, your professor will also be available for a specific time during college hours when you’re free to hold meetings with them. Make sure you discuss your problems and confusions candidly to have a better understanding of the ways you can improve your performance in law school.
Final Thoughts
Now you have a fair idea regarding the study techniques for law students that shall help you survive and succeed in law school. One of the points highlighted above should thus be put into practice to boost your performance in law school. We recognize that law studies can be intimidating and anxiety-producing, but it is still essential not to let the stress become the boss of you. Through being patient and persistent in attaining your legal education, you can make it through law school and become a successful performer in your class. Remember that constant effort and perseverance will help you be one who will one day say that law school was a helpful and joyful journey.
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Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.
What a remarkable article! The way you’ve tackled the topic with such precision and depth is commendable. Readers are sure to gain a great deal from the wealth of knowledge and practical insights you’ve shared. Your profound understanding of the subject shines through every part of the piece. I’m eager to see more of your exceptional work. Thank you for offering your expertise and providing us with such enlightening and comprehensive content.
What a remarkable article! The way you’ve tackled the topic with such precision and depth is commendable. Readers are sure to gain a great deal from the wealth of knowledge and practical insights you’ve shared. Your profound understanding of the subject shines through every part of the piece. I’m eager to see more of your exceptional work. Thank you for offering your expertise and providing us with such enlightening and comprehensive content.
Your writing has a way of resonating with me on a deep level. I appreciate the honesty and authenticity you bring to every post. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.