The 1L bible for 0Ls Forum

[acdisagod]

I got this thread idea from someone else who had a similar yet more broad idea so sorry to steal it.

The purpose of this thread is to make a list of the consensus best advice for incoming 1Ls. I figured I could begin with a few bits of advice I have seen and people should feel free to add to this list until it becomes fairly comprehensive. Also, if this thread turns into a 0L prep shitstorm, feel free to pm me your 1L wisdom and I will add it to the list because if this thread goes downhill I won't be reading it. So here is what I have so far:

1. Don't substantively prep as a 0L (i.e. try to learn the law)
2. Do consider learning how to apply the law within the context of a law school exam. Read GTM and do Leews if you want to. They are not necessary to succeed but they have been helpful to many.
3. Do update your resume, make a list of employers you wish to contact and perhaps draft a cover letter. If you do not do this over the summer you will have to do it while cramming for exams
4. Do not be a gunner, feel free to participate OCCASIONALLY in class with comments or questions relating to the topic at hand. Do not try to show off your legal knowledge in the form of the question. Do not try to show off your legal knowledge period unless the professor asks you to do so. Do not bring up irrelevant shit in hoping to score points with the professor.
5. Go over the professors old exams. I'm a 0L but I took law courses in London and this was immensely helpful for me. I know other TLS members swear by it as well.
6. Make your own outlines, that's not to say you shouldn't use commercial outlines but it seems helpful to make your own (I could be off on this but this seems to be the consensus)
7. Start outlining early.
8. Do not worry about looking good in class. Getting cold called worries us all but the final exam won't ask you for the specific facts of cases, don't worry too much about memorizing them. Your grade will be based almost entirely on how you do on the final exam, plan accordingly. You may look bad in class but it won't matter when you grade onto law review.
9. Don't freak out about how many hornbooks the gunners are reading, do what works best for you.

As I mentioned I'm a 0L but I'm just trying to summarize TLS conventional wisdom. If I'm way off base, let me know. If you want to add something, write it below. If the below area turns into a shitstorm, pm me what you want me to add.

[miamiman]

maybe better to title this 0L guide for 0Ls?

[acdisagod]

Well I'm not giving my personal advice, I'm just restating advice I have heard 1L's give. I hope the 1Ls, 2Ls and 3Ls of TLS contribute to this thread.

[Mce252]

Is this just a really long question? Please don't post things using the word "Bible" when you don't have substantial experience.

[acdisagod]

Is this just a really long question? Please don't post things using the word "Bible" when you don't have substantial experience.

The point wasnt for people to read my advice but for you to come and give your advice which I would then put at the top of the post.

[Stanford4Me]

Not to be a downer..

Isn't there a page on TLS that has an extensive set of recommendations from a NYU student who placed in the top 10% of his class after 1L?

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

[apper123]

TLS even has its own gunners!!!

[Mce252]

The point wasnt for people to read my advice but for you to come and give your advice which I would then put at the top of the post.

Well one time I baked a cake but wasn't sure if I was actually baking a cake or just playing with flour and sugar. It could have been a little bit of both or maybe not either. I should have possibly considered whether anyone else was baking a cake before I tried to overcomplicate whether or not I should bake one. Maybe I should try to bake a cake and then put my various sample on display to see if anyone else approves. Wait...there is a bakery next door.

[JG Hall]

.

[acdisagod]

Ok bad idea nvm

[270910]

Your list is both accurate and wise. If you want some musings and quotes, check my history. I've posted a few lengthy screeds about this in the past 24 hours (I'm a 1L)

[acdisagod]

Your list is both accurate and wise. If you want some musings and quotes, check my history. I've posted a few lengthy screeds about this in the past 24 hours (I'm a 1L)

Yea, I think it was your rant on the 0L prep thread that reminded me to do this lol.

[Stanford4Me]

Ok bad idea nvm

Although my post may not have shown it, I support you.

[acdisagod]

Ok bad idea nvm

Although my post may not have shown it, I support you.

Thx, and I did read the NYU guide, I should try to incorporate a lot of what he wrote.

[mikeytwoshoes]

TLS even has its own gunners!!!

--ImageRemoved--

[vexion]

It's a nice effort, acdisagod. Here are a lot of the threads and articles that I've read (and where I know a lot of your "conventional wisdom" is distilled from anyway.)

Tips for Succeeding in Law School, by Bo Weng (Arrow)
http://www.top-law-schools.com/loyola-study-advice.html
AND the original thread, with very helpful responses to reader questions,
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=77628

Successful second semester 1L @ a top law school: study blog, by Scribe
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0&start=50
Note: This is in the blog section, and therefore the posts read chronologically backwards. Start at the last post of the last page.

Advice for doing well in law school, by xeoh85
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 35#p777665
Note: Be sure to read past the first post, Xeoh offers a host of VERY awesome responses to reader questions.

Success in Law School – A Unique Perspective, anonymous author
http://www.top-law-schools.com/success- ... chool.html

The Complete 0L Guide to 1L, by JayCutler'sCombover
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... &p=1905439
Note: This is in the blog section, and therefore the posts read chronologically backwards. Start at the last post of the last page.

Law School Advice (T10), by Wahoo1L
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=78769
Wahoo only pops back into the thread a couple times after the first post. There's one good answer to DrmgSprs in there.

If I could do my first semester over again...
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=19378

After Grades - What did we learn?
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=22536

Advice to 1Ls on Exam-Writing Technique, by Eric Johnson
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... -advi.html

Outlining for Class... , by Austen Parrish
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... class.html

Preparing for Final Exams, by Austen Parrish
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... exams.html

Thought on First-Year Law School Grades, by Orin Kerr
http://volokh.com/2010/01/16/thought-on ... ol-grades/

A Common Law School Exam Mistake, by Orin Kerr
--LinkRemoved--

[acdisagod]

Wow, that's an incredible list all put together in one place. That's what this thread is supposed to be about. Great Post!

[vexion]

Heh, thanks. I'd been seeing an influx of brand-new 0Ls in the last week or so -- kids who are graduating asking the "basic" questions. I figured all of these should be required reading for all the new guys. They sure helped me.

[RP1983]

The point wasnt for people to read my advice but for you to come and give your advice which I would then put at the top of the post.

Well one time I baked a cake but wasn't sure if I was actually baking a cake or just playing with flour and sugar. It could have been a little bit of both or maybe not either. I should have possibly considered whether anyone else was baking a cake before I tried to overcomplicate whether or not I should bake one. Maybe I should try to bake a cake and then put my various sample on display to see if anyone else approves. Wait...there is a bakery next door.

@Mce252

wow what a cool post man. you must do really well with the ladies.

[prezidentv8]

The point wasnt for people to read my advice but for you to come and give your advice which I would then put at the top of the post.

Well one time I baked a cake but wasn't sure if I was actually baking a cake or just playing with flour and sugar. It could have been a little bit of both or maybe not either. I should have possibly considered whether anyone else was baking a cake before I tried to overcomplicate whether or not I should bake one. Maybe I should try to bake a cake and then put my various sample on display to see if anyone else approves. Wait...there is a bakery next door.

hahahahahahaha

[thecilent]

It's a nice effort, acdisagod. Here are a lot of the threads and articles that I've read (and where I know a lot of your "conventional wisdom" is distilled from anyway.)

Tips for Succeeding in Law School, by Bo Weng (Arrow)
http://www.top-law-schools.com/loyola-study-advice.html
AND the original thread, with very helpful responses to reader questions,
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=77628

Successful second semester 1L @ a top law school: study blog, by Scribe
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0&start=50
Note: This is in the blog section, and therefore the posts read chronologically backwards. Start at the last post of the last page.

Advice for doing well in law school, by xeoh85
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 35#p777665
Note: Be sure to read past the first post, Xeoh offers a host of VERY awesome responses to reader questions.

Success in Law School – A Unique Perspective, anonymous author
http://www.top-law-schools.com/success- ... chool.html

The Complete 0L Guide to 1L, by JayCutler'sCombover
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... &p=1905439
Note: This is in the blog section, and therefore the posts read chronologically backwards. Start at the last post of the last page.

Law School Advice (T10), by Wahoo1L
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=78769
Wahoo only pops back into the thread a couple times after the first post. There's one good answer to DrmgSprs in there.

If I could do my first semester over again...
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=19378

After Grades - What did we learn?
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=22536

Advice to 1Ls on Exam-Writing Technique
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... -advi.html

Outlining for Class... , by Austen Parrish
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... class.html

Preparing for Final Exams, by Austen Parrish
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... exams.html

Thought on First-Year Law School Grades, by Orin Kerr
http://volokh.com/2010/01/16/thought-on ... ol-grades/

A Common Law School Exam Mistake, by Orin Kerr
--LinkRemoved--

/thread

[clint4law]

It's a nice effort, acdisagod. Here are a lot of the threads and articles that I've read (and where I know a lot of your "conventional wisdom" is distilled from anyway.)

Tips for Succeeding in Law School, by Bo Weng (Arrow)
http://www.top-law-schools.com/loyola-study-advice.html
AND the original thread, with very helpful responses to reader questions,
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=77628

Successful second semester 1L @ a top law school: study blog, by Scribe
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0&start=50
Note: This is in the blog section, and therefore the posts read chronologically backwards. Start at the last post of the last page.

Advice for doing well in law school, by xeoh85
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 35#p777665
Note: Be sure to read past the first post, Xeoh offers a host of VERY awesome responses to reader questions.

Success in Law School – A Unique Perspective, anonymous author
http://www.top-law-schools.com/success- ... chool.html

The Complete 0L Guide to 1L, by JayCutler'sCombover
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... &p=1905439
Note: This is in the blog section, and therefore the posts read chronologically backwards. Start at the last post of the last page.

Law School Advice (T10), by Wahoo1L
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=78769
Wahoo only pops back into the thread a couple times after the first post. There's one good answer to DrmgSprs in there.

If I could do my first semester over again...
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=19378

After Grades - What did we learn?
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=22536

Advice to 1Ls on Exam-Writing Technique
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... -advi.html

Outlining for Class... , by Austen Parrish
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... class.html

Preparing for Final Exams, by Austen Parrish
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... exams.html

Thought on First-Year Law School Grades, by Orin Kerr
http://volokh.com/2010/01/16/thought-on ... ol-grades/

A Common Law School Exam Mistake, by Orin Kerr
--LinkRemoved--

/thread

thanks

[mikeytwoshoes]

Study high. Take the test high. Get high grades.
--THC

May he rest in peace.

[traehekat]

If I could do my first semester over again...
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=19378

HERE IS THE PHANTOM THREAD I WAS REFERRING TO (in another thread...)!

I'd read the E&E's before the semester, just as an overview.

Hit the E&E's earlier.

I'd read the E&E's before the semester, just as an overview.

Absolutely, unequivocally TCR. I was told to do this before law school, I didn't do it, and that was stupid. 0Ls reading this: THIS IS NOT A JOKE. It is the best thing you can do for yourself, in my opinion.

Doesn't exactly prove my point, but at least I know I'm not nuts.