LibGuides: Law School Success: 1L Courses

Prepare for class

CALI Podcast: Advice to a 1L From a Law Professor
Professor Douglas D. McFarland talks about how to prepare for class, how to overcome discomfort in your first weeks of school, how to brief a case, and when to start using study aids. This 15 minute podcast is a must-listen for incoming law students.

Cracking the Case Method: Legal Analysis for Law School Success 3rd ed. (West Academic Study Aids) by Paul B. Bergman, Patrick Goodman & Thomas Holm
ISBN: 9781685612771
This book explains what the case method is and teaches you the new skill of reading judicial opinions so you can be well prepared for class. Remember: Always read your assigned cases before turning to other study aids.

CALI Lesson: How to Brief a Case
In this computer tutorial, Professor Edward C. Martin teaches the student how to read, analyze, and brief a judicial opinion. The tutorial is estimated to take two hours, but it is well worth the investment of time. Requires a CALI account through the library.

1L of a Ride: a Well-Traveled Professor's Roadmap to Success in the First Year of Law School 4th ed. by Andrew J. McClurg
ISBN: 9781636592510
What to expect in the first year, when to expect it, and how to respond. Describes habits of successful law students including effective class participation, case-briefing, and exam preparation. The second edition is available in print KF287 .M38 2013

Law School Success in a Nutshell 3rd ed. (West Academic Study Aids) by Ann M. Burkhart & Robert A. Stein
This nutshell introduces the reader to the whole spectrum of the law school experience. We may be partial, but you should definitely read chapter 7, Finding Your Way Around the Law Library. Chapter 11, Study Aids, will help you understand how to correctly use resources outside of class to efficiently deepen your understanding of course material.

Jotwell.com
Jotwell is an online blog-style law journal that publishes short and easily digested reviews of legal scholarship. This is a great resource for understanding current issues in the law and how those events are being addressed in scholarly writing.

Sum and Substance Audio on How to Succeed in Law School (West Academic Study Aids)
This e-audiobook provides advice for how to approach your first year of law school, including preparing for class, outlining, and exam taking. Unique highlights include Assessing Your Weaknesses, How to Write an A Paper, and Learning from the Test for Future Classes. A 13-minute track is devoted to outlining.