How To Study in Law School: Course Load 12 Credits or Less

Succeeding in law school requires a strategic approach to studying, especially if you are balancing a lighter course load of 12 credits or less. A major aspect of excelling in law school is understanding how to prepare for different types of exams. Based on my experience, law school exams generally fall into two categories:

1. Open-book, take-home, or outline-permitted exams

2. Closed-book, closed-note exams

This guide focuses on strategies for the first category, which tends to be more common.

Daily Study Routine

Consistency is key when studying for law school. Aim to study for 3-4 hours a day, broken into 1.5-2 hour sections to maximize focus and retention. Here’s a breakdown of how to structure your study sessions:

Step 1: Reading and Highlighting

Spend a significant portion of your study time reading the assigned materials and highlighting key points. This active engagement helps you internalize the material and identify the main takeaways.

Step 2: Active Recall

After completing a section of reading, write down what you can recall from that specific portion. Writing helps reinforce memory and deepens your understanding.

For digital tools, I recommend using the GoodNotes app on an iPad, which is excellent for organizing handwritten notes while maintaining portability.

Lectures: A Foundation for Your Notes

During lectures, taking notes on your computer is ideal because it allows for faster typing and real-time organization. Here are some best practices:

• Outline as You Go: Start creating your outlines during lectures by organizing topics and subtopics in real-time.

• Consolidate Notes: Closer to exams, combine your handwritten study notes with your lecture notes to form a comprehensive outline.

Building and Refining Your Outlines

Outlines are essential study tools in law school. Here’s a step-by-step process to create effective outlines:

1. Compile Notes: Merge your handwritten notes, lecture notes, and highlighted readings into a single document. Your initial outline may range from 30-50 pages.

2. Condense Your Outline: Simplify your comprehensive outline to focus on the most critical information. Aim for 10 pages or less to make it manageable for review.

3. Cross-Reference: Use a commercial outline as a reference to ensure you haven’t missed any crucial areas. Incorporate any missing elements into your personal outline.

The Value of Creating Your Own Outlines

While commercial outlines can be helpful supplements, the real value lies in creating your own outlines and taking your own notes throughout the semester. This process helps you:

• Deepen your understanding of the material

• Prepare thoroughly for finals

• Build a foundation for bar exam preparation

Your final, condensed outline becomes a powerful tool that summarizes and highlights the key elements of the subject matter, ensuring you are ready for both exams and practical applications.

By following this structured approach to studying, you can stay organized, retain information effectively, and approach your exams with confidence. Success in law school isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter!

What I Wish I Knew Starting Law School

Completing my first year (or 1L) of law school has been a transformative experience, leading me to reflect deeply on my reasons for pursuing a legal career. Why did I leave behind a successful career as a songwriter and performer to step into the demanding world of law? The answer is simple: I wanted to prove a point.

As a woman, I've often felt confined by societal expectations. While overt discrimination may have lessened over the years, subtle microaggressions still persist. Like many women my age who grew up in the United States, I've felt the undercurrents of these attitudes. Instead of merely lamenting these challenges, I chose to take action—and that's how I found myself in law school.

Here are four key lessons I’ve learned after one year of law school that I wish I had known before starting:

1. Law School Will Test Your Self-Confidence, Not Just Your Knowledge

Law school is more challenging than you might anticipate, not just because of the workload but because of the self-doubt you'll experience. The good news? You can do it! Those moments of crying in your car on the way to class will eventually fade as you realize you’re capable of handling the rigorous assignments and intense academic pressure.

2. Grades Aren’t Everything—Balance is Key

I entered law school without an obsession with grades, and that mindset has been a lifesaver. While achieving A's in every class would be fantastic, maintaining a healthy balance between school and life is far more important. Stressing over grades won’t make you a better lawyer, but managing your stress will help you succeed in the long run.

3. You’ll Want to Quit, But You’ll Be Glad You Didn’t

Throughout law school, you’ll face moments of doubt where quitting seems like the easiest option. You’ll feel overwhelmed, anxious, tired, and frustrated. But every time you push through and complete a challenging class, you’ll feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Legal writing may confuse you at first, and civil procedure might seem like an endless maze of terms and rules. But with perseverance, you’ll find your footing and discover how capable you truly are.

4. Law School Will Reveal a New Side of You

This journey will uncover aspects of your personality you never knew existed. You’ll develop a steadfast determination, learn to be more flexible, and gain a deeper respect for yourself. The experience will make you more humble and more confident simultaneously.

The first year of law school has been tough, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. For anyone considering this path, know that while it may test you in unexpected ways, the growth you’ll experience is worth every challenge.