Friendly advice for future 1Ls from a longtime TLSer Forum

[Bankhead]

I would imagine the people who hand write exams would be at a huge disadvantage. I've never heard of anyone doing this and coming out better than median.

[hoffb86]

Thanks, good read!

[ruraljuror]

Has anyone taken a typing class? Do people just use online classes, or programs? I think I need to work on my typing, but I don't know what to buy.

[casper13]

Has anyone taken a typing class? Do people just use online classes, or programs? I think I need to work on my typing, but I don't know what to buy.

I heard typing tutor was good, Mavis Beacon I believe

[lawfool]

Source: wikipedia for what it is worth.

In one study of average computer users, the average rate for transcription was 33 words per minute, and only 19 words per minute for composition.[1] In the same study, when the group was divided into "fast", "moderate" and "slow" groups, the average speeds were 40 wpm, 35 wpm, and 23 wpm respectively. Two-finger typists, sometimes also referred to as "hunt and peck" typists, can reach speeds of about 37 wpm for memorized text, and 27 wpm when copying text.[2]

An average professional typist reaches 50 to 70 wpm, while some positions can require 80 to 95 (usually the minimum required for dispatch positions and other typing jobs), and some advanced typists work at speeds above 120.

I would say a typing speed of 70+ wpm will be fine. The average law school student probably types a bit faster than average if I had to guess so I would guess the average speed is around 55 wpm for law school students.


Also see: http://www.xpertkeyboard.com/ostrach.htm

[Cleareyes]

Has anyone taken a typing class? Do people just use online classes, or programs? I think I need to work on my typing, but I don't know what to buy.

I worked as a transcriber for awhile. Trying to keep up with human voices (which generally clock in at 150-190 wpm) will train your speed up pretty quickly. Of course before you do that you should know the basic rules of touch typing, but you can learn those for free on the web and practice some text copying via free online programs.

[JoshHK]

thank you, ari. appreciate the advice.

[Bankhead]

Leave it to TLS to make me feel bad about my (very proficient) 70 WPM...

[OperaSoprano]

I type around 60 WPM. I think I'm actually faster at longhand, since I've kept a journal for eleven years. I wouldn't wish my handwriting on professors, though. It tends to look straight out of the 19th century. I do have a flair for calligraphy, though. Would that help?

[Bankhead]

I type around 60 WPM. I think I'm actually faster at longhand, since I've kept a journal for eleven years. I wouldn't wish my handwriting on professors, though. It tends to look straight out of the 19th century. I do have a flair for calligraphy, though. Would that help?

Only in that fashion professor's class.

[wardboro]

long time-no see ari. looks like you had a good 1L. i didn't do everything exactly the same as you, but i think your system is the way to go.

[Leeroy Jenkins]

My best estimate would be my con law exam. It was three hours long. I averaged 55 WPM, assuming I typed all three hours. I left fifteen minutes early and took two ten minute Coke/bathroom breaks. I also spent the first half hour composing a very detailed outline of my exam. So I guess that comes out to around, what, 80 WPM? It sounds like you might actually be faster than I am, but a little more practice would never hurt. This is probably not going to be a problem for you, though.

wait, you do coke?

[dresden doll]

Thanks for the insightful post.

I've got one question out of curiosity that I hope you won't mind answering - did your LSAT/GPA correlate with your performance thus far?

[JJim1919]

Thanks for the advice. This is awesome. Also, I know you mentioned hornbooks are really only necessary at a T6 or so, and you said briefing is largely a waste of time. What supplements do you use? The E&E's? What pre-made briefs do you use?

Also, the how to essay on this site talks a bit about outlining. Do you start outlining from the very beginning of the semester, and then work on practice tests towards the exam? Or what's your strategy like?

[Bankhead]

Wouldn't things actually be easier at a T6 since, by and large, grades don't really matter?

[jrock12]

does anyone have the 'how to succeed in law school' link handy?

[OperaSoprano]

I type around 60 WPM. I think I'm actually faster at longhand, since I've kept a journal for eleven years. I wouldn't wish my handwriting on professors, though. It tends to look straight out of the 19th century. I do have a flair for calligraphy, though. Would that help?

Only in that fashion professor's class.

LOL, I really want to email her. Would that be ridiculously gunnerish? I also just bought six E&Es, so I can do some beach reading. I also need LEEWS, and I have to finish Getting to Maybe, and now apparently I need a speed typing course.

This is going to be one long summer.

[altamira]

Thanks!!! This is very helpful.

It'd be great if you could flesh out your thoughts on the typical choices we'll face in the coming months:

1) Pre 1L prep: Should we do nothing? Skim/Read E&E etc.?
2) Any advice on taking notes in class? How did you figure out the prof's preferences?
3) When did you start outlining, looking at practice exams? How long were your outlines? Any special techniques you used?
4) You seem to be discouraging study groups...did you go solo? Or were you able to find "above-median" types?
5) How did you structure your exam answers to maximize points?
6) Sounds like you figured out some day-to-day short cuts that allowed you a great deal of free time while still getting great grades. What did your daily/weekly routine look like at the beginning/middle/end of the semester?
7) Did you find the advice of 2Ls and 3Ls useful? Especially as a 1L seems to me I won't know whose advice to trust because it's hard to know who's actually doing well.

Sorry if these questions are obvious/annoying

[mallard]

does anyone have the 'how to succeed in law school' link handy?

http://www.top-law-schools.com/success- ... chool.html

[CE2JD]

I type around 60 WPM. I think I'm actually faster at longhand, since I've kept a journal for eleven years. I wouldn't wish my handwriting on professors, though. It tends to look straight out of the 19th century. I do have a flair for calligraphy, though. Would that help?

I'd be amazed to watch someone hand-write faster than 60 WPM FOR ALMOST THREE HOURS with only 2 ten-minute breaks!!

[RVP11]

does anyone have the 'how to succeed in law school' link handy?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=success+in+law+school

[Zeph]

Good stuff

[rayiner]

And it isn't a useless mechanism.

Oh I don't disagree. I'm just saying that you perspective is refreshing, for someone like me who doesn't exactly think of LS (or school in general) as a "fascinating intellectual journey".

[OperaSoprano]

I type around 60 WPM. I think I'm actually faster at longhand, since I've kept a journal for eleven years. I wouldn't wish my handwriting on professors, though. It tends to look straight out of the 19th century. I do have a flair for calligraphy, though. Would that help?

I'd be amazed to watch someone hand-write faster than 60 WPM FOR ALMOST THREE HOURS with only 2 ten-minute breaks!!

I didn't say I could do it for almost three hours. I didn't do that much journaling! I'm going to type.

[Who32]

I type around 60 WPM. I think I'm actually faster at longhand, since I've kept a journal for eleven years. I wouldn't wish my handwriting on professors, though. It tends to look straight out of the 19th century. I do have a flair for calligraphy, though. Would that help?

Only in that fashion professor's class.

LOL, I really want to email her. Would that be ridiculously gunnerish? I also just bought six E&Es, so I can do some beach reading. I also need LEEWS, and I have to finish Getting to Maybe, and now apparently I need a speed typing course.

This is going to be one long summer.

Holy moly!