Prepare for Exams – Debunk Studying Myths
Are you nervous about upcoming exams? Perhaps you should get to studying. Lawsagna has a great post on myths about studying.
My favorite myth listed is “I’ll study every awaking hour to outperform the competition.” A lot of students (especially 1L’s) think they need to study for days on end to have a chance at passing. In reality, you can probably study far less and still do quite well on exams.
One technique you might try is to get your outlines ready ahead of time. Then only study for a day or two before each exam. This provides some time to get things into your head, but not so much time that you get burnt out. Nobody wants to be burned out before three hours of furious typing, right?
[tags]legal andrew, lawsagna, law school, exams[/tags]
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Use Google Desktop’s Scratch Pad for GTD Inbox
 |
Do you struggle with implementing GTD (“getting things done“)? Do you have a digital “inbox” where you can throw all your notes and thoughts for later processing? Install Google Desktop and you’ll be set.
The Scratch Pad
One of the default “gadgets” that comes pre-installed with Google Desktop is a nifty Scratch Pad. Think of it like a handy post-it note always at the ready on your monitor. You can quickly type anything in there, and it is always saved for later.
One of the problems with the Scratch Pad is that it can become a receptacle for junk. If you type too much in there, it will likely become overwhelming to even look at.
Into the inbox
To fix this problem, think of your Scratch Pad as a digital inbox. Any time someone comes up and tells you something, you get a phone call, you remember something to do later, stick it in the Scratch Pad.
Since the Scratch Pad automatically saves, you never have to worry about losing this virtual post-it note. You can just throw stuff in and trust that it will be there late.
Empty daily
The key to utilizing the Scratch Pad effectively is to empty it out every day. The space is small, so a few notes will quickly clutter it and make it unusable. Emptying it daily will ensure that you have fresh, clean space for the next day’s notes.
The other benefit of emptying daily is that you faithfully process things and put them where they need to be. Does it need to go on a task list? Is it a note to be filed away? Process it, and put it where it belongs in your GTD system.
Do you use the Scratch Pad? How does it fit into your productivity system? Please post a comment or drop me a line.
[tags]legal andrew, google desktop, scratch pad, gtd[/tags]
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Role of Technology in Law School – What?!
Do you think technology belongs in law school? That’s what an article over at Law.com is pondering.
Basically, the article focuses on whether, and to what extent, law schools should incorporate technology into the curriculum. Obvious areas up for grabs are practice oriented courses like research & writing and legal clinics.
The more intriguing questions come from experiments like Harvard’s CyberOne course. I won’t even pretend to understand the course concept fully. But from what I gather, it takes place in Second Life and students learn how to use blogs, podcasts, wikis, and the like to make arguments and influence popular opinion.
Just offhand, this seems more like a communications or marketing course. Unless you end up in a small firm, you will likely have a department full of people doing this work for you. Should law schools really focus on teaching how to blog? If you need a course on blogging, should you really be at Harvard?
The big problem with this idea is summed up by the article itself:
The question of using technology in law schools raises the larger and tougher question of whether law schools are adequately connected to the practice of law and to members of the profession.
What do you think? Are law schools connected to the practice of law? Perhaps a few schools are. Some courses might be. Not all professors cling to the ivory tower. But isn’t it a given that law school teaches you very little about actually practicing law?
So what say you, Harvardians? What is this game-of-a-course all about? Maybe I have completely misunderstood it. Perhaps I’m jealous that we don’t have one. Mostly, I’m skeptical when I see a “news” article speaking highly of a program, when the author of the article is the director of the program.
Do you have a view on technology in the law school curriculum? Leave it in the comments or drop me a line.
[tags]legal andrew, harvard, cyberone, second life, law school[/tags]
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Starting Your Own Law Firm
Thanks to Lifehack, I read an interesting article about creating your first startup.
The article actually comes from Particletree. Interestingly, it advocates jumping in, gritting your teeth, and being ready to flop on your face. Kind-of a wake up call for some aspiring entrepreneurs out there.
How might this concept apply to lawyers, especially young ones, who want to start their own law firm? What kind of lessons might you learn by jumping in now?
In my opinion, many of the things that Particletree discusses about startup ventures apply to firms as well, especially when you’re thinking of striking out alone. You will learn that a lot of work is involved. You will learn that you didn’t have enough money saved up. You might not be able to make ends meet.
However, in the end, you will learn. Isn’t that what life is all about? Aren’t we supposed to grow, learn, and become better people? Maybe you can do this by starting your own firm. You might not get rich, but can you put a price on life experiences?
[tags]legal andrew, startup, particletree, lifehack, law firm[/tags]
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Video – Exam-Taking Tips for Law Students
If you’re worried about upcoming law school exams, just relax. I found this good little video that gives some solid (but basic) advice.
There’s nothing revolutionary here, but all advice is good, right?
[tags]legal andrew, law school, exams, youtube[/tags]
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Use Intention Manifestation for Success on Exams
These days, the blogosphere buzzes with the concept of intention manifestation. I was just listening to a podcast from Steve Pavlina (actually his wife, Erin). It really hit me that this idea of manifesting what you want really applies to law school exams.
What is it?
Here’s what you do: Think of what you really want. Conform your actions to your mind, behaving like you really want it. Wait patiently.
Basically, the concept of intention manifestation states that you can get what you want in the world by truly following this simple process. If you’re Christian, this isn’t much different than simply praying for assistance from God and being open to His will. However, as a Christian, I would think “What do I want that is good for me?” After all, we should only seek what is truly good for us, in the greater scheme of salvation, right?
What about exams?
If you really want to do well on law school exams, intention manifestation should help. After all, it is probably in our greater good to do well in school, right?
You should simply really believe that you want to do well. You have to really want it. Then, you need to conform your behavior to this goal. You can’t really want to do well but not study.
Once you’re at this point, you will have eliminated self-doubt and fear that things won’t go well. You have taken responsibility for your success or failure, and you have taken the necessary steps to succeed. Go knock ’em dead.
[tags]legal andrew, law school, exam, intention manifestation[/tags]
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Prepare for 1L Exams – Law Study Systems
Update (9/17/07) – Win FREE licenses to Law Study Systems. Click here to learn how!
There is a new kid on the block to help you study for your law school exams: Law Study Systems. If you haven’t checked out LSS, you should go give it a quick look.
LSS provides an online study portal for law school classes. It has courses divided up into pieces. Each piece of a course has lessons, sample exams and answers, plus several extras to help reinforce the material.
The system is new this year, so they are providing FREE access this semester. The downside is that I believe they will begin charging fees in the spring. But maybe you can take advantage of some free tutorials for now.
You have to register to be able to view the materials. They ask you to provide your name, location, and email address (plus a username and password). Registration is easy, but that’s one more company who has your email address.
Here is the current course offering:
- Civil Procedure: Personal Jurisdiction
- Contracts: The Cost of Completion Remedy
- Contracts: Foundations of Offer and Acceptance
- Contracts: The Parol Evidence Rule
- Contracts: Mirror Image Rule; UCC 2-207
- Criminal Law: Actus Reus
- Criminal Law: Mistake of Law; Mistake of Fact
LSS seems to be run by some professors from Chicago-Kent College of Law. The Actus Reus course has 43 registered participants, and I think about 40 of them attend Chicago-Kent.
In the end, this might be a useful tool to check out, at least while it’s free. Who knows, it might be offered for a reasonable price down the road.
If you have used LSS or another good study aid, please let us know. Post a comment or drop me a line.
[tags]legal andrew, law study systems, exams[/tags]
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Use Keyboard Shortcuts (Hotkeys) in Gmail, Google Reader and Calendar
If you use Gmail, Google Reader, or Google Calendar, do you know your keyboard shortcuts? These handy hotkeys can save your fingers, your wrists, and your time.
A while ago, Lifehacker pointed everyone to a handy printable list of Gmail shortcuts. Since then, I have begun using Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Reader. In fact, I have finally abandoned Outlook for Google.
If you have searched for an all-in-one list of Google keyboard shortcuts, you have come to the right place. I have compiled hotkeys for Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Reader into one printable document that you can tack to your wall. This list also includes shortcuts that you get by using the Greasemonkey script Gmail Macros.
Here are links to the Google pages, where I obtained the shortcut lists: Gmail, Calendar, Reader.
Download
Google Shortcuts Sheet: PDF or Microsoft Word.
Please let me know if you find this sheet useful. If I have made an error, please contact me, and I will fix it ASAP. Please post any comments you might have, or drop me a line.
[tags]legal andrew, keyboard shortcut, hotkey, gmail, google reader, google calendar, google[/tags]
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Prepare for Exams – Utilize Your Resources
As exam time looms on the horizon for us students, it’s important to have your resources at the ready. Aren’t the best resources free?! I’m definitely trying to help you out, since I need to have my resources in order as well. Hopefully I will be writing more on this subject in the coming weeks. For now, here’s a quick compilation of some articles to check out. If you know of other great articles for students taking exams, please post a comment or drop me a line.
Do well on your exams with my lazy way to success.
Get rid of distractions by curbing your blogging addiction.
Last, but definitely best, check out this post by The Frugal Law Student about using your law library for free course supplements. FLS sums up the moral of the story nicely:
Lesson: Don’t buy supplements. They’re expensive and you can use them for free at your library.
So now enjoy your nice weekend by … studying!
[tags]legal andrew, law school, frugal law student, exams[/tags]
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Sponsored Posts … Coming Soon
If you are reading this, thank you. In fact, thank you to all of the awesome people who have read my boring articles for these last few months. I hope you have enjoyed the articles, ideas, and tips I have posted here.
I am going to embark on a slightly different path over the next few weeks. In an effort to help defray the costs of running Legal Andrew, I am going to write a few sponsored posts. Yep, I will be writing some posts that companies actually pay me to post here. No, companies will not buy my soul.
This post is my first in an effort to provide full disclosure to you. Here are the promises I make to you:
- I will only write posts that have some relation to the theme here. Thus, the overall blog will not change.
- I will never take on a review that is required to be positive. If I express enthusiasm for something, I can assure you that it is genuine.
- Every sponsored post that I publish will be clearly labeled. This way you can easily skip over them or take them with a grain of salt.
- I will be responsive to my readers. If you guys send me a clear message that you can’t stand the posts, I will stop doing them. Please give it a try, though, and see if we can work through it together.
In the next few days, I will create a permanent page that contains this information. In every sponsored post, I will mention that it is “sponsored” near the top, and I will provide a link to this disclosure statement. I want to be completely honest with you throughout this process.
Thank you, again, for your awesome support. I appreciate you tolerating the small advertising I have done here, and I trust that the sponsored posts will further enhance the value of Legal Andrew.
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
-
Legal tips by email
Sign-up below to get email tips and exclusive discounts on videos, webinars, and future items.
All fields are required.
-
Receive updates
By email
By rss (full feed)
-
About Andrew Flusche
Lawyer, bicyclist, husband.
More about me...
Tumble Log
-
Popular Posts