Law School Confidential - highlighting/typing and workload Forum

[rocketman]

I just got done reading this book and, as it seems to be highly recommended by most everyone, had a few questions.

1) I see it was published in 2004. Has any of the advice become obsolete?

2) He makes a very interesting suggestion to highlight casebooks in different colors (with accordance to certain criteria) and then, rather than type notes during class, just pay attention and write important points in the margin. What are everyone's thoughts on this? My impression had always been that it is critical to type down every word uttered by the professor for later consultation, so as to ensure that nothing potentially valuable is missed. I suppose this is primarily personal preference, but what would you all recommend? I'm mainly curious just because his suggestion so starkly contrasts with what I had been led to believe.

3) He says that you spend about 9 hours a day studying - 1 hour outlining for each of that day's 3 classes (3 total), and then roughly 2 hours reading for each of that day's 3 classes (6 total). Confusing because earlier in the book, when describing the workload of law school, he implores the reader to ask himself whether he can handle 3 hours of reading per day. In addition, most of my friends who have gone through law school have told me they typically spent 3 hours reading each day and then spent the weekends outlining. Obviously, again, its personal preference as to how long one wants to put off their outlining, but I plan (at least ideally) to outline daily...my question is with regard to actual reading - is 6 hours per day on the high end or par for the course?

[bk1]

It's recommended as a general overview of what law school will be like, not a guide on what to do. Most people mock those who actually go with the highlighter method (as in, don't do it unless you really are a highlighter person).

[rocketman]

That's unfortunate - it sounded like a good idea.

What about the workload? Does 9hours/day sound right?

[dakatz]

That's unfortunate - it sounded like a good idea.

What about the workload? Does 9hours/day sound right?

If you stay diligent on the weekends, and don't procrastinate much during the week, I can't possibly see why it would be necessary to spend 9 hrs a day studying.

[rdcws000]

That's unfortunate - it sounded like a good idea.

What about the workload? Does 9hours/day sound right?

If it sounds like a good idea to you, and you like highlighting, you should do it. I don't think anyone argues that it will make you unsuccessful, some people just consider it excessive, or not fitting their style.

[03121202698008]

I could care less if you highlight your books but if I see a pile of highlighters and a book that looks like a rainbow I'd probably mock you.

[kalvano]

So you're saying it's possible you could care less, implying that you do care on some level?


OP, go with whatever works for you. If you understand the material after reading it once, good for you. Go get a beer. Don't think in terms of how much time you have to study. Think in terms of how long to gain understanding.

[onthecusp]

Just started 1L and I dig the highlighter method. You might look like a tool doing it, but it saves a lot of time when you're writing out your brief. Also, in the oft chance your professor bans laptops from the class room (can't use control "F"), you'll be glad you highlighted when called upon to discuss a case (specifically, highlighted the way suggested by LSC). I've found after highlighting a case I can write out a functional brief in two minutes without having to go back and re-read sections of the case.

[thalassocrat]

So you're saying it's possible you could care less, implying that you do care on some level?


[/b]OP, go with whatever works for you. If you understand the material after reading it once, good for you. Go get a beer. Don't think in terms of how much time you have to study. Think in terms of how long to gain understanding.[/b]

I wonder if someone could program a bot that would automatically post this every time a question like this is asked?

[inchoate_con]

My holy grail -> casenotes and/or legalines. They shaved about four hours of studying off the daily schedule.

[dakatz]

My holy grail -> casenotes and/or legalines. They shaved about four hours of studying off the daily schedule.

Wow really? And you don't feel like you compromised any understanding by relying more on those pre-made briefs? I saw that there is a casenotes book keyed to my Civ Pro text. I'm guessing you would recommend picking that up.

[inchoate_con]

Haha, you're right my understanding was not compromised. I read the cases, but... well, you'll see. If you Civ Pro is Subrin, Minow, Brodin, and Main, send me a PM.

[rocketman]

Anyone else on the highlighter method. Appearing like a tool is a worthwhile sacrifice.

[findlayswimmer28]

I am a 2L and I use the highlighter method. I have kind of morphed it to my needs, but I found it tremendously helpful when I got called on in class.

[StudentAthlete]

The highlighter method does sound like a good idea. During my 1L I used it some and it was pretty effective.

However, for the 9 hr a day thing, that's not necessary if you stay up on your work (I think the other guy said this already).. The cliche of "time management" rings very true in law school. Also, 9 hrs a day will burn you out before October most likely. hth

[rdcws000]

I'm a 1 week old 1L, so take it for what it's worth, but I'm using a bit of a hybrid of the highlighter method.

I highlight similar to the method described in LSC except I only use 1 color (I haven't found it too tough to separate holding from fact yet) and I try to highlight as sparingly as possible. We'll see how it goes.

[jennylynn]

I still hate getting called on in class, and color coded highlighting gives me something to quickly focus on before my brain completely checks out. Just try different methods until you find one that works for you.

[pandacot]

Most classes only require reading 4-5 cases per class. Pretty easy to remember the facts/issues in each case. Highlighters will only cause you, or someone near you, to have a seizure from looking at the pages in your casebook.

[jennylynn]

Most classes only require reading 4-5 cases per class. Pretty easy to remember the facts/issues in each case. Highlighters will only cause you, or someone near you, to have a seizure from looking at the pages in your casebook.

Unless you have several like 4 classes in one day. Remembering 20 fact patterns/issues at the drop of a hat isn't as easy. Unless you're highlighting the entire page, nobody should suffer medical setbacks from your casebook. lol

[pandacot]

Most classes only require reading 4-5 cases per class. Pretty easy to remember the facts/issues in each case. Highlighters will only cause you, or someone near you, to have a seizure from looking at the pages in your casebook.

Unless you have several like 4 classes in one day. Remembering 20 fact patterns/issues at the drop of a hat isn't as easy. Unless you're highlighting the entire page, nobody should suffer medical setbacks from your casebook. lol

This is what I generally think of when someone talks about highlighting. I would see students open their books and 2/3rds of the page was highlighted in multiple colors. I had an amusing conversation with a professor about what the students could possibly find interesting enough to highlight.

[jayn3]

Most classes only require reading 4-5 cases per class. Pretty easy to remember the facts/issues in each case. Highlighters will only cause you, or someone near you, to have a seizure from looking at the pages in your casebook.

Unless you have several like 4 classes in one day. Remembering 20 fact patterns/issues at the drop of a hat isn't as easy. Unless you're highlighting the entire page, nobody should suffer medical setbacks from your casebook. lol

This is what I generally think of when someone talks about highlighting. I would see students open their books and 2/3rds of the page was highlighted in multiple colors. I had an amusing conversation with a professor about what the students could possibly find interesting enough to highlight.

i underline/write notes instead of highlight, but i always do too much of it. this is why i'm planning to re-read what i've underlined and type what's actually relevant into my notes for the upcoming class.