Summary: Improve your study skills and chances of success in law school by using these ten study tips.
There is a lot of information law students have to absorb quickly. That information is constantly changing as laws are being made and changed frequently. In order for law students to soak up all they can, they need to learn tips that can help them do this successfully. Say Campus Life provides ten tips to help law students study.
- Highlight keywords or lines
All students use this method to study so that they can easily refer back to the important points. Go one step further by using those highlighted notes to make your own study notes.
- Use apps and sites related to law
There are a lot of apps and websites out there that can help with the studying of law. These digital resources allow law students to connect with each other and to simulate test environments. The digital resources have video lessons, sample questions, and other features to assist students in their studies. There are even apps for LSAT prep that can help those preparing for law school applications.
- Flashcards
Law students can use the old-fashioned method of using notecards to create flashcards, or there are online resources that make flashcards. This method helps students memorize facts and can be a challenge that really tests their knowledge. When the order of the flashcards is changed, students cannot rely on a pattern to memorize the answers.
- Prepare cases
A career in law requires the ability to debate a case with clear and concise proof and logic. To be able to do this, you must prepare beforehand. This means applying what you have learned on an example case by reviewing the substance of the arguments to understand the rules and facts so that you will know what to do in a real case.
- Discussion groups
There are discussion groups and online forums that allow law students to talk about their classes and materials. The groups can discuss hypothetical, exam, and secondary source problems. They can also allow students to use each other as study helps in method and resource legal problems.
- Organize and outline
Law students need time to prepare and understand a case, so putting together an outline of the subject and organizing the information is a good way to study. A good outline will incorporate the laws, explanations, and policy for the law.
- Use past exams
Using past exams is the best way to study what the actual material will be like. You can learn what questions to expect and how best to answer them.
- Study groups
Studying with others is a great way to prepare. A collaborative approach allows for a better understanding of different subjects with students helping each other out.
- Review
Spend time before each class reviewing notes, highlights, and outlines from previous classes and your studies. This will help you keep your studies fresh and so that you can easily interact in class discussions.
- Feedback
Use professors as a source of feedback. When you submit answers to practice questions, ask for feedback on them immediately. Direct input from a professor is the best way of knowing where you stand and what you need to study more.
Are there any other tips or suggestions on studying that have worked for you? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.
To learn more about how to succeed as a law student, read these articles:
- A Legal Degree Comes in Handy for More Than Just Practicing Law
- 10 Worst Law Schools in the Country
- Top 10 Law Schools for Graduates Trying for a Top Job
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