Month: July 2017

Categories
Law School

Law School Necessities

Prepping for classes is one of my absolute fave activities, in the history of – well – ever. When I was teaching, I had even more fun shopping for school supplies because I got to buy loads of stuff! Filling up a basket with notecards, the perfect pens, binders, and mechanical pencils is soooo much fun. Staying organized (and color-coded) is one way through which I fuel my studies. Getting ready for law school classes, especially as a 1L, can seem overwhelming. You have no clue what your professors expect, or even allow in class, until you get your hands on their class syllabus.

I’m here to tell you exactly what you need to bring with you to class, and what you should make sure to keep handy at your home desk/office area. Prepping for class is half the battle, really.

As an added bonus – I stock my desk ahead of time so that I don’t use shopping as an excuse to side-track my studies. Because honestly, who can concentrate on studying when the one highlighter you have is dying and you still have 30 pages of reading to do?

[Let’s not discuss why you would only have one highlighter. That’s not a happy thought.]

I am a firm believer in using various study tactics to improve your retention. School supplies will drastically improve your study habits and learning techniques. Though this list is not comprehensive, it does include every item I feel is absolutely essential to your success in law school. I’ve also made it easier to access these supplies, by including their Amazon links. Just click on an image, and you’ll arrive at the product’s page. 🙂

1. Backpack/Rolling Briefcase

I personally purchased this backpack and I LOVE it. I’m not a fan of the rolling luggage-type bags, and needed a bag with a laptop cushion. After scouring the nets, I found this little guy in a variety of colors! Enter the professional backpack – which I felt was adorable, and functional. I can fit 2 medium size casebooks (or 1 large Civ. Pro. text), a notepad, my 15″ Macbook pro, a pencil case, my clutch purse, and 2 bottles of water in this bad boy.

    • After a year of use, it’s showing no serious signs of wear and tear, which is phenomenal considering how much weight it carries on the daily.

For those of you that have seen the Herschel bags, this one is an off-brand version. Call me crazy, but I just refused to pay $120 for a Herschel when I could pay $40 for an identical, and lesser-priced bag. #thrifty

2. Insulated Drink Bottle

(Or, a ridiculously cute one that could potentially sweat on your books, but looks awesome so you don’t care.)

My bestie gifted me a Corkcicle tumbler and it is fantastic! I can fill it with coffee before an 8am class, and it will stay hot hot hot for several hours! Equally impressive is that, if filled with ice, the beverage will stay ice cold for 6 or more hours! One of the best gifts ever. Truly. <3 Fill it up before class and don’t worry about not having enough hydration. My Corkcicle goes pretty much everywhere with me.

3. Laptop


I personally own a MacBook, because it’s the only brand I’ve ever used (my first laptop was a gift), and I didn’t feel the need to switch over to a different operating system when my last Mac died last semester (right before midterms…)

But you should know that I have seriously considered purchasing a touch screen computer, or even the iPad Pro. I’ve learned that I enjoy taking notes in class, by hand, and wish I could test out a digital attempt. With the new handwriting apps, taking notes with a stylus or pen, on a digital medium seems like a no-brainer. But, those options can get pricey.

I recommend you figure out what kind of computer requirements your school has for testing procedures before you take the plunge into laptop commitment. Our campus requires specific software capabilities in order to run ExamSoft (program in which we take exams).

4. Planner

I’ve mentioned my love of planning before, and I’ve decided I need to explain how it’s done, but that will be for another post. Today, all you need to know is that a planner or calendar of some sort (digital or physical) is necessary in law school. You need to know what’s going on in class, when stuff is due, and when networking events will be. Get with the program and keep track of your responsibilities!

5. Pencil Bag

Everyone needs a reminder now and then, right?
I feel law school can get stuffy sometimes; you need a pick-me-up designed in the little things. For me, those moments come in the form of accessories. This pencil bag is more than $2, but totally worth it! After all, you’re a brilliant badass – studying law!

6. Highlighters, Pencils & Pens

If you are a visual learner, or someone who enjoys adding color to their world, then these are for YOU! I color-code my notes, as well as my case briefs. Everything has a color, so I know exactly what information I need to extract. I find this to be extremely helpful during class, when I may have lost my train of thought and a professor needs an answer from me ASAP.

Finding a highlighter was hard, but I think (aside from the standard yellow Bic version) these Sharpies are great! I would even recommend buying a large pack with 6 different colors, if you are going to really go wild. However, any more than that might just be overkill. The choice is yours though – buy them all if you want.

I stumbled across colored mechanical pencils (did you get that? colored. mechanical. pencils. Y’all. They’re real! I use mine to mark up my research papers, usually while trying not to snot-cry all over my professor’s desk, with edits and suggestions.

If you haven’t tried Staedtler pens – BUY THEM NOW! I’m left handed, and these are the best things ever. The pen dries quickly, almost like a marker. There’s very little left-hand-smudge syndrome as a result, which means my hand is virtually ink-free! ::woo::

7. Desk Lamp

The Beau gave me this lamp as a gift. It’s perfect because I can move it virtually any which way around my desk, and it comes with it’s own vice, allowing you to attach it to virtually any desk. Unlike a traditional lamp with shade, this little guy packs a punch of brightness, which you can angle exactly over your books/notes. Plus – he’s super cute, and reminds me of my Disney youth.

8. Lunch Box Set

I cannot stress how much you NEED this in your life. Our campus is downtown, which means it’s near oodles of scrumptious places to eat. Since my wallet simply cannot handle the prospect of scrounging enough cash for lunch five times a week, I opt to pack mine. I meal prep on Sundays, and prep 3 days worth of meals (breakfast + lunch). Making dinner in the evenings is relaxing for me, because I love mixing it up in the kitchen.

I just ordered this bag and container set for myself, and I am stoked about putting it to use! There’s 4 containers, which will allow for snacks and meals. AMAZING!

9. DropBox Account

Everyone needs an account. YOU need an account! There’s an amazing calm that comes with the ability to access your work from virtually anywhere with an internet connection. The auto-save feature is worth the three minutes of setup time. Once installed on your computer, creating documents and saving them is seamless. If you’re not already a DB fan, you will be.

 

10. FOCUS Notes

If I can take notes on a laptop in class, then I take advantage of my typing skills. However, I could not be successful in ::analog:: classes without these notepads. They’re set in a Cornell style and help create neater notes. You write the major topic or concept on the right side of the page, and then the explanation on the left side. Writing out concepts helps me, so I am a huge fan of these beauties.

There are other things I require, like coffee, coconut rum, and a gym membership. But, they’re not absolutely necessary for everyone. In your time at law school, you will figure out what works for you (and what doesn’t). Your entire body will be tested. There’s no exact way to be ready for it – you just have to experience it. This supply list should make starting out easier though. You’re going to have a great year. <3

Categories
Daily Dose

Law Library Job!

 

Apply HERE –> https://unt-dallas.peopleadmin.com/postings/2856
Our staff has room for more awesomeness!
Working in the law library is a great way to EARN while you LEARN! 
This position’s fall 2017 work schedule will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays 7:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. The approximate start date is August 29, 2017. 
Categories
Advice Law School

Joining Clubs in Law School

Friendship Together Bonding Unity Youth Culture Concept

 

Law School Organization.png

Law school is three years of your life. Time will both speed by you and also draaaaaag on (especially when you’re in that 2pm CivPro class, and the tryptophan from your turkey sandwich hits you). The funny thing about time in law school is that you never seem to have enough. Your class reading assignments take time, the assignments take time, your family or significant other takes time – it’s almost currency, and no one ever has enough.

I say this because your time is important. It is crucial to spend it wisely. Understand where your time needs to go before dividing the time accordingly. You may need to study for class, but studying for 5 hours straight, after a long day of classes, may not be the best use of your allotted time. [Obviously you know yourself better than I do, so if you can sit for 5 hours straight studying – then you do you, hun!] However, if you proscribe to my study method of 1.5 hours on, 30 minutes off – then you may enjoy my advice.

The way I see it – your brain needs to take BREAKS! They’re essential. That said, one way in which I take breaks, is by attending Student Organization (law school clubs, essentially) events and meetings. Most groups on campus meet once a month, and then usually have a large event once per semester. I recommend participating in at least one group, and highly suggest that you avoid joining too many.

joiningAclub

Everything in moderation, folks.
Although law school takes focus, on top of boundless energy to complete case-briefs and assignments, you need to find healthy ways to diversify your time. The time you spend away from your books and research trails is crucial to helping you learn the material. It sounds weird, but it works!

If you have the opportunity – attend a student organization fair! Or reach out to student services, and they will be happy to put you in contact with an organization’s executive members (if you already have an idea of the group you’d like to join), to help answer your questions regarding the organization. I fully comprehend that you want to dive head-first into your books, but you can’t forget what the social aspect of law school provides: a network.

Carve out time in your monthly schedule to meet with your peers, work with them on a common goal. Everyone attends law school for different reasons – figure out what yours is, and then find others who are driven by similar passions. You need to start building your network now, especially if you are attending law school straight out of your undergraduate years. Spend some of your precious time forming friendships and making your mark.

 

Happy Networking!

 

Categories
Advice Law School

Dean’s List Advice

Tips for Class.png

 

As a 2L, I feel it’s my duty to give you advice I wish I’d known through 1L. Your first year in law school is going to be hectic, and everyone will experience the learning curve. But, I’m here to share a few tips. These are some of the best tools I found throughout the year, and I personally believe (if you set up your study schedule and plan accordingly) they just might help you land a spot on the Dean’s List!

 

about-to-go-down

  • Quizlet

    • Check out the Quizlet link above, and add me to your circles (BearLaw) – you can get access to some of the card sets I’ve already created, or start your own deck!
    • My favorite quality about this tool is that I can access my cards via the Quizlet App, and work on my studies even when I don’t have all my books with me. Quizzing myself on legal jargon, case information, or even class hypos can all be done via these digital flashcards. Since I am a multiple-modality learner (meaning, I learn by using many different senses) having to flip a card and read the info hits at least two of those modes [visual & tactile]. 
    • ProTip – For you audio-learners: You can use the speaker symbol to have Quizlet read your cards for you!

 

  • LearnLeo 

    • Ok, y’all – this is my newest obsession. I actually took time out of my day to send an email to a professor about how amazing I think LearnLeo is. Just so you know, I stumbled across this app – and have since created notebooks and study tools for the semester.
Powernotes
The extension allows you to mark-up any website!
OrganizeLeo
Outlines Made Faster!

 

Using PowerNotes helps you with case-briefing and smart-highlighting skills by walking you through a skills demo, and essentially teaches you how to brief a case. This is pure. freaking. gold! Use it, people!

In addition, the chrome extension allows you to live-edit any document or website online, and then compiles the notes into a word document that is available for download! This is amazing, and I love it. You’ll save sooooo much time up front by using this to brief and compile your case notes, because a majority of your outline will be created for you.

The bonus?
You will have to go back and correct/edit the document that you download; which means, you’re automatically required to read your notes and that’s a great way to make the material STICK!
There is a phone app and ipad app, but the online extension is most user-friendly, in my opinion.

LeoTools

 

  • OneNote & EverNote

    • These platform ideas are similar, and both provide great ways to keep track of class notes. If your school offers you a free Microsoft Office package, then take it! I prefer OneNote to Evernote, mainly because I don’t have to pay for using it (aside from tuition, of course). Plus, the OneNote option allows me to access my notebooks when offline, which has come in handy while studying and limiting my internet access (to avoid distractions). This way, I’m actually working instead of thinking I’m working by reading a page or two and surfing the internet for most of the hour. Let’s face it, you get distracted by reddit, CNN, or Twitter, too!

evernote

 

  •  LibGuides

    • Technically, not an app – but available online! 🙂 
    • These are library study guides that our law school provides. If you’re at UNTDCOL, stop by the circulation desk, or send me an email (cerebellumchef@gmail.com) & I’d be happy to point you in the right direction. These course guides pretty much rock my socks, because they’re jam-packed with study aids, practice questions, and even essay samples! Be sure to check out the study aids your library provides. Your librarians welcome the interruption in their day, I promise!

  • Law Dojo

    • I can appreciate that you may want to spend your time face down in a book, reading every word and hoping to soak in legal knowledge through mere proximity to your text, but I can’t learn that way always. I try to give myself a few brain breaks, whether by walking away to process the information, or by quizzing myself while playing the role of a Stealth Ninja making my way through maze. 
      • That’s exactly what this game is about. You’re a ninja. You must answer rapid-fire legal questions in order to live. 
      • What’s not to love about this?
      • There’s different levels, and different class topics – most basic concepts are covered, but the material gets more difficult when you answer questions correctly. 

 

LawDojo
Stealth. Ninja. Hiiii-ya!

 

  • iTunes U

    • I am not great at picking up information solely through listening, but I know some of you are gifted with this ability – so this is for you! 
    • Check out iTunes U in your iTunes store, and search “Law School” or “Contract Law” – or pretty much anything you need for class, and sift through the titles!
    • There are some great law school professors who host podcasts, or even record their own lectures (Like Professor Glannon!) to help students grasp the concepts. 
    • The topics are plentiful, and you can get many of them for free! 

 

I use all of these tips in my daily studies, and enjoy working with different mediums in which to learn. I search for ways to make my life easier, while not sacrificing my learning. Law school is hard, there’s no way around it. However, you can lessen the burden on your own shoulders by learning what helps you retain information. If you need anyone to bounce ideas off on, feel free to send me a message at cerebellumchef@gmail.com

Happy Studying/Law School Prepping!

 

Categories
Advice Law School

Prepping for Your 1L Year

6 THINGS YOU MUST DO BEFORE LAW SCHOOL (2)

 

Right now it doesn’t feel real. It hasn’t sunk in that in just about a month, you will begin your first year as a law student. By now you’ve received your information on orientation or Fundamentals week, and you likely attended a new student event (or two). Before classes begin, take some time to set your priorities.

I honestly only completed these six tasks before enjoying the rest of my summer. It was hugely important to me to make sure I was ready for law school. But I didn’t go nuts trying to read everything on the suggested reading list, or dive straight into city ordinances. I mean, come on! You have time to dive into research later, for now – cover the essentials.

  1. Apply for Financial Aid + Scholarships
    • Many of you may not know this, but you may qualify for a Direct PLUS loan. It’s government Financial Aid, and comes in handy! If you need extra aid to help pay for tuition or books – check to see if you are eligible!
    • Scholarships are fewer at this level of education, but they certainly exist. Check your institution’s financial aid page for updated scholarship applications and opportunities. Looking around online isn’t a bad option either. Free money is out there, and many times scholarships go un-used. Take advantage of these opportunities!FSA-Eligibility-11.16.12
  2. Buy/Organize a Desk or Study Space
    • You need a designated place to study or get work done. This is a fact. You may not always feel like trudging up to the library to study, and your kitchen table doesn’t usually allow you the flexibility of leaving your books flayed about. This means you need a DESK! There are many affordable options, and I strongly recommend you get yourself one – quick!
    • I purchased a desk, chair, and plastic chair mat for less than $400 at Nebraska Furniture Mart. The products came mostly assembled, and were not difficult to set-up. My desk area is bright, quiet, and perfect for holding many of my study materials at a time. That said, I had to purchase an additional book shelf and wall shelf to accommodate my 1L books and supplies.
    • I also recommend you get a desk lamp. My boyfriend surprised me with a wonderful one, which I mentioned  HERE.IMG_9686IMG_9763
  3. Set a Schedule
    • If you already know your class schedule (and, you should) – then take a few minutes to organize your planner. If you don’t have a planner, use your computer/phone/google to get your digital calendar prepared.
    • Block off time for class, then block off study time. Next, block off time for meals, family, and grocery runs.
    • I suggest you add your family members to your calendar, this way they are aware of what you’re tasks are and know when it’s ok to try and call or steal you away for a movie night.
  4. Rent Textbooks
    • Why buy books when you can rent them? I considered purchasing them for my first semester, but opted to rent (when the rental was cheaper). My favorite site for comparing book prices is BIGWORDS.
      • Type in the ISBN of the book you need, and then select the best option for your wallet. Read the reviews from the seller before choosing an option. I’ve had great luck with timely and affordable rental options, always delivered to my door. 🙂
  5. Buy School Supplies
    • oh.my.GOSH.bestday
    • Buying new school supplies is one of my all-time fave things!
    • Pens, pencils, highliters, post-its….you’ll use them ALL! Everything’s on sale, and you (most definitely) will run through multiple packs of each item. Stock up now, while you have time!
  6. Relax + Meet Incoming Students (Your New Friends!)
    • You will gain nothing from reading ahead. I repeat, NOTHING.
    • Even though you think you know how to read and write well – the fact is, you have no clue how to brief a case or wade through legal concepts. Which means there’s no point in using up your precious down time, before the mayhem begins, trying to get ahead of your classmates.
      • By all means, read cases your professors ASSIGN. But, do not go beyond that scope. This year is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, young padawan – “burnout” is real.
    • Meet up with some newbies for coffee, or dinner! I felt much more confident walking into orientation week knowing I had a few friends in the mix. We met for sushi a few weeks before class, and asked each other all kinds of “baby questions” like – where’d you find the class schedule? Or, what are you thinking of wearing for day 1? Are you actually going to brief any cases?
      • You’ll love having this built-in support system, so reach out and meet people! It’ll make orientation week much more memorable. <3

smart

 

Trust me when I say that you need to enjoy this time. Your 1L is coming up fast, and it will be stressful. Get yourself in the proper mindset for classes, with this list. You’ll thank me for it later.

 

Categories
Advice Law School

Working with Sharks

Getting the Most From your Internship

 

You just spent an entire year drilling legal theories, concepts, terminology, and cases into your gloriously gyrificated brain. You’ve studied for several years to get to this moment — accepting an unpaid internship. Make no mistake about it, working this hard, only to spend 140 hours of your much-deserved summer, is a hard pill to swallow.

But you know what?

You secured an internship! That’s freaking fantastic! There’s a heap of law students that wish they were in your shoes. Don’t you dare pass up this opportunity to move your career forward. Make your mark.

Here are a few tips for you to make the most of your 1L Summer Internship.

intern

 

  1. Be Kind.
    • This seems so completely unreasonable to write down. Of course, you should be nice and respectable. If you have any sort of home training, you’ll be a decent human being because that’s the right way to behave. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Our Dean (a retired Judge) shared this story with us during our first week:
      • He hired a clerk for his chambers. The young guy had great grades and a good suit; looked professional and carried himself well. On the first day of his clerkship (if I am not mistaken) the Judge’s court coordinator, who had spent more than a decade working with the Judge, asked the young man to move some boxes for her. Such a simple task, right? Well, this guy told her that he didn’t spend his life working through his undergrad and law school years only to get a clerkship where he had to do secretary work. Now, imagine what this nice woman said the Judge…?
    • Do not be that jerk. If you can be helpful, that speaks volumes! Make a coffee run, organize files, direct lawyers to the proper courtroom. Do what you can to make people want to have you around. Niceties go a long way.
  2. Dominate Your Tasks.
    • This internship is a foothold for you to further your career. That said, make sure you see every task assigned through to the finish. Do not cut corners, because it will show. These Judges have a plethora of experience, which means they can easily tell the difference between great work, and half-assed work.
    • Own your work and make it stand out – in a good way. Polish your writing assignments, give them a look-over, and edit several times before giving them to your law clerk or Judge.
  3. Re-Read Everything You Publish. Twice.
    • This goes hand-in-hand with the previous tip, but I wanted to echo it. Read your work. Step away from it, and then read it again. Go line by line if you have to – because skimping on this is just a bonehead move. Judges and Attorneys want to trust in your abilities, so make it easy on yourself and proof-read your work before handing it off.
  4. Represent Your School with Fierce Pride.
    • Getting this internship could mean potential internships for the students that follow. Keep your eye on the prize. Your work with these judges and attorneys might open the door for other students looking for the same opportunity. By working hard and being memorable, you might be able to inadvertently offer a hand-up to a fellow student. Be the change, little shark. 
  5. Offer Simple Answers.
    • So often we read convoluted cases and lengthy explanations, written in legalese, when fewer words would suffice. That said, you’re still a student. Take the time to figure out a simple way to explain what you need to get across to your audience.
    • Pro Tip: Simple and elegant are not mutually exclusive, don’t let your creativity falter.

 

potential
You’ve got potential.

 

The work you do is important, it can change lives. Learn everything from this internship. Ask questions, especially when uncertain on a particular topic. The judges and attorneys know you aren’t perfect. Their choice to hire you is reflected in what they hope to teach you. Make the most of it!

 

Categories
Law School

Law School Madness

Learning to find your balance is a struggle, made only more difficult by attempting to reach your happy place, while putting your mind through grueling law school courses. You may find yourself asking “how does everyone make it look so easy?” The best answer I can give you is this – they’re great actors. Let’s be clear – law school is a drama-filled think tank with the best and brightest in their respective classes. Everyone is wound tighter than Shirley Temple curls, and nobody has time to deal with your shit. So trust me when I say that your peers are putting on a façade, to make you feel inferior. It’s an intimidation tactic. What these students are great at is striking a comfortable balance between varying shades of frenzied mayhem, and some are better at it than others.

LawandOrder

Some students excel at being selfish, which is fantastic, because law school is where being all about “Team YOU” comes in handy. Put yourself first. This step in reaching a happy medium is crucial. Your family wants time with you, your boss needs you to focus on the task at hand, your significant other begins to feel neglected, and the people in your life start to get upset because they feel you are tossing them aside. But, what they may not realize is the number of balls you juggle is more than they could handle, more than most anyone could. You made it, gained admission to law school, and now have to bust your derrière to stay here. You will likely work harder than ever before, or you’re truly gifted and don’t have to study at all because you’re brilliant. [On that last bit – I call bullshit. You need to study.]

self-esteem
Finding your balance means you will likely lose a friendship (or more) while working through your legal career. The unrelenting assignments, extra-curricular activities, and study group sessions will consume you – if you let it. I found that the most successful law students are well-rounded, and skilled at balancing their tasks. Taking the time out of your day to work out, read a book, or watch a movie allows your brain to re-set and re-focus on its goals. It is critical to understand when your brain needs to rest, because it is in those moments where you strike the perfect balance between your studies and passions. Otherwise, you’re going to burn out. I experienced true burn-out after my 3rd final during our first semester of 1L year. I walked out of the exam, took a few minutes to grab a coffee, and sat back down at my computer to read through notes. I must have read the same sentence 3o times before realizing I’d shut down. There was simply no energy left to process anything. So I packed up my crap, trekked to the parking garage, and drove myself to a movie theater. You have to know when to throw in the towel, because breaks are part of that school-life balance.

shambles

During my 1L year, I felt flustered because there were so many panicked voices in the halls – all trying to figure out how to study, when to study, how to brief, should they brief, is the assignment actually graded, is it ok to take a lunch break? The tension was palpable, and I simply could not be around it. Realizing my own stress-level rising reminded me that I needed to step away from it all for just an hour a day.

understand

When I need for the questions or worries of my day to fade away, I turn to running. I run at least two miles to clear my head, three times a week. On top of running, I choose to rock-climb. It is essential to have my brain focus on my feet hitting the pavement, or finding the next hand-hold on a wall. My balance involves shutting the world out to let in my inner-peace.

I strongly recommend you find your balance, whatever makes you happy and re-centers you, before the semester begins. Make sure to make time for yourself, every single day. If you are in a positive place, then studying will be easier and you’ll grasp the concepts quickly. However, an angry or frustrated mindset will likely land you in a crap-tastic mood and that’s a recipe for failure. Always re-focus.

nap