Practice Management

1.     More is not better.  Pick up one commercial outline you like for each subject.  Buy and use only the books absolutely assigned.  All else will only distract you and the truth of the matter is you do not have time to read all of that stuff anyway.

2.    One head may be better than three.  Share some.  Talk some.  Ask for help.  But nix the study group.Ambitious [I]f you stand around for 10 minutes and listen to a study group study together, they?re generally doing one of two things: being quiet and studying independently or talking about something that has nothing to do with law.

3.    Don?t overthink it.  Law professors like to complicate things, [b]ut the truth is that much of the case law is pretty straightforward in the way it will be tested.  The students that get themselves into trouble are the ones who present themselves with all sorts of convoluted exceptions, or who over complicate the concepts.

4.    You?re doing as well as you think you are.  One of the biggest concerns for 1st year law students is ?How am I doing??  You don?t receive any concrete feedback ... This kind of feedback-free environment preys on the insecurities of many students, as many feel like they?re falling behind if they don?t study endlessly.  Don?t let it shake your confidence.  Remember that no one has received any grades, and it?s a level playing field.  Focus on what you?re doing day-to-day and remind yourself to stay positive.

5.    Put down the books sometimes.  If you?re like the vast majority of people, your brain stops functioning at a high level after a certain amount of studying, and the returns will diminish dramatically after, say, the 5th hour.  Give yourself a normal schedule, including time away from the books doing things you enjoy and relaxing.  Remember, it?s not the workaholics who succeed in law school.