Keeping up with readings Forum

[Animal_Activist]

Hey guys, I need help. I feel so inferior to everyone. I don't know how to keep up with readings and get everything briefed and make time for practice questions with outlining. It seems like everyone is doing all that plus interning and extracurriculars. I don't get how I can handle all of it unless I just stop caring about the readings and hope I do well on the final.

[03152016]

on average, how many pages of reading do you have per class

on average, how long does it take you to read 10 pages

[Animal_Activist]

I have 30 pages per class. 4 classes twice a week. It takes me an hour for10 pages. But I'm burned out because on top of reading I'm briefing to understand the cases. I can't even get to outlining.

[BVest]

First, you should only just now be starting to think about outlining. Set aside 4-5 hours per week for it in one single block and work on one subject per week (like Friday afternoon (if you're like me) or Saturday morning (if you're a psycho who likes to get up before 10 on Saturday)). Once your open memo is turned in, you can dedicate more time to it and work on more than one subject per week. And, IMO, don't bother with practice questions until Thanksgiving, at this point there are going to be too many issues that you're missing just due to not having enough information.

As far as reading/briefing time, STOP BRIEFING. You know how to brief, right? If you know how to brief, then you know why you brief. So just read the cases as if you're going to brief (spotting the procedural posture, facts, issue, rule, and holding). If you want to, you can even highlight in different colors for each, or use a pencil to right "facts" or "issue" or "rule" in the margin at the right spot, but do that AS you read the case for the first time, not after. If you're still having trouble doing all your reading, simply skim each of the cases you're meant to read for the day, identifying the elements of a case brief, OR use commercial briefs instead of doing your reading at all.

Not directly on point but important: Don't compare yourself to your classmates on stuff like this. The information you get from your classmates about what they've done or what they've understood is imperfect and incomplete, as a result, you are able to make it reinforce your own narrative. If you feel like you're behind, you're going to pay more attention to comments from classmates who seem to indicate that they've got their act together. And even when some classmates do have their act together more than you do, you're not hearing (or are subconsciously disregarding) information from other classmates that indicates how far behind they are.

[Animal_Activist]

That helps. But my problem is that I don't know what to take notes on for the readings. So I just highlight and that's it?

[Traynor Brah]

There is no reason that at this point it should take you that long to read 10 given pages at this point. The casebook method of learning is incredibly inefficient and you should be gaming it (or kind of disregarding it and paying more attention to supplements and old outlines). Each case is there to teach you something. Use the preceding headings to figure out what that is before you read it. And then read diagonally to extract what you were supposed to learn. This can generally be boiled down to two bullet points (e.g. quick note of the dispositive facts and the rule of law applied).

Also everything bvest said. Chill and only worry about yourself.

[jbagelboy]

Even as a 1L I was "behind" on reading almost the entire semester until thanksgiving/easter, meaning that I hadn't read everything assigned and wasn't caught up with class. I started "outlining" by merging class notes and then expanding upon that document with new notes (and spent time on weekends or evenings formatting and filling in holes). I would never 'brief' a case unless I was assigned it/knew I'd be on call for that case on that day. Come finals, I had read everything and outlined everything, I found I had plenty of time to take PTs in the weeks before. For a couple classes I was even able to chew through a supplement in the weeks before finals, but for most classes they weren't necessary.

It might look like everyone is on top of everything, but they're not. Some of your classmates are fucking crazy and they actually read and briefed all their shit, but most of them haven't; everyone has holes. So don't get caught up in the comparison game, and don't stress about 'falling behind'.

[jbagelboy]

Also, find some chill classmates who aren't super uptight about school and make friends/study with them. If I was only around stressed/intense people all the time that really really cared about class, I would have dropped out (and I still thought about it all the time). Don't get me wrong, I still like my uptight/tryhard friends and I've worked with a lot of people like that in law school, but chill friends you can trust (and that don't make you feel pressured/self conscious about work) are clutch.

[Animal_Activist]

I do need people to spend time with doing things. I've seriously spent every weekend either in the library, starbucks, or at my apartment reading. And when I was burned out reading, I would punish myself by not doing anything. I ended up having those moments where I stare at the book and waste time. This past weekend I just got sick of it. So I am considering not even going to my class tomorrow just to get the readings done for the week and actually enjoy some time off. I can't be a machine and it doesn't help that everyone else acts like they got it together and the professors think I am dumb for not having a clue about a certain problem in the book. I just need a break.

[03152016]

I have 30 pages per class. 4 classes twice a week. It takes me an hour for10 pages. But I'm burned out because on top of reading I'm briefing to understand the cases. I can't even get to outlining.

this seems fine to me
almost identical for me. 30 pgs/class, 10 pgs/hr
sounds like 24 hrs of reading per week, 16 hrs of class per week. so that's about 40 hrs/wk
if ur spending so much time on briefing that ur burning out, then i agree with bvest that u should stop briefing

That helps. But my problem is that I don't know what to take notes on for the readings. So I just highlight and that's it?

i just type up what i think are important points as i read
then i bold parts that are really important
to each their own. everyone has their own way to law school. figure out what works for u.

Chill and only worry about yourself.

yes, this is prob the most important point

It might look like everyone is on top of everything, but they're not. Some of your classmates are fucking crazy and they actually read and briefed all their shit, but most of them haven't; everyone has holes. So don't get caught up in the comparison game, and don't stress about 'falling behind'.

same

So I am considering not even going to my class tomorrow just to get the readings done for the week and actually enjoy some time off. I can't be a machine and it doesn't help that everyone else acts like they got it together and the professors think I am dumb for not having a clue about a certain problem in the book. I just need a break.

profs don't think ur dumb. and even if they do, who cares, blind grading
but try to avoid skipping class as a 1L. can't get in ur prof's head if u don't show up
(i skipped a ton first semester b/c i was lost and it def worked to my disadvantage)
if u are overwhelmed, first cut out briefing/outlining. and/or skip some readings, look up case briefs online and see if u can find an outline

[AReasonableMan]

That helps. But my problem is that I don't know what to take notes on for the readings. So I just highlight and that's it?

Just ask yourself: How would this be useful if a client came into my office today? Namely, what kind of problems could this shed a light on, and how might the reasoning apply to facts that are a little different? You don't really have to read all the cases, and certainly don't have to brief every one.

[totesTheGoat]

I do need people to spend time with doing things. I've seriously spent every weekend either in the library, starbucks, or at my apartment reading. And when I was burned out reading, I would punish myself by not doing anything. I ended up having those moments where I stare at the book and waste time. This past weekend I just got sick of it.

Welcome to October in law school. I'm struggling through similar motivation issues, and this is my 3rd time doing it. To a certain extent, you just need to power through. However, here are a few tips:

First, learn from what is going on now. Obviously there are parts of your plan that are not working. Find out why, and fix your plan for next semester.

Second, stop briefing. Here's my method of preparing for class. When I look at the cases before class, I don't write a single note. I expect to get through 30 pages of reading in about 15 or 20 minutes, meaning maybe 4-5 hours of prep each week if I do all of my reading. I'm no speed reader, so that should tell you exactly how deeply I'm reading. Then, I get to class 10 minutes early and I reread the cases. Both times I read, I'm looking to know three things, a summary of the facts/posture of the case, the rule of law applied (black and white letter), and the court's application of the law to the facts. The goal is to get enough information to not be embarrassed if I'm called on, and nothing more. You go in way more depth in class than is expected on the exam, so there's no point in fretting about the trivialities of tort liabilities of dynamite on trains when all you care about is proximate causation.

Finally, schedule in some free time and force yourself to use it. Take it from somebody who is working a full-time job while taking a full course load, you will drive yourself insane or into deep depression if you don't give yourself time to shut your brain off. I have a no school and no work policy for Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. I also have a date scheduled with my wife on Monday evenings. Sometimes I have to work extra hard to make up for the free time, but it's been worth it every single time. Force yourself to shut your mind off and actually relax.

So I am considering not even going to my class tomorrow just to get the readings done for the week and actually enjoy some time off. I can't be a machine and it doesn't help that everyone else acts like they got it together and the professors think I am dumb for not having a clue about a certain problem in the book. I just need a break.

I find that a well-placed skip of a class can be really helpful when at a breaking point. However, like above, it won't matter if you don't shut your brain off. If you skip class, go have some fun! Play a round of golf. Go to a bar. Go hiking. Find something to do to make your free time worth it.

[JGMotorsport]

I usually do all my reading on the weekend with highlighters and pens to mark up my book. Then on the morning before my class I usually outline what I read to freshen it back up. Doesn't take too long.

Never compare yourself to other people that's a bad way to think.

[BigZuck]

You definitely need to not worry about looking dumb in front of the prof/classmates. Like, at all. It literally does not matter at all what they think. At all.

You just need to do what you need to do to prep for the final and get a good grade on it. That can be extremely hard to do as a first semester 1L. But you'll figure it out as you go along. For some classes you need to read everything and be able to regurgitate little snippets from cases on the final. Some profs could care less about that. Some classes you need to go to every session to get inside their head and really understand what they care about. Other classes it doesn't matter if you go at all, just read a good outline and/or supplement and you're good.

I think as a first semester 1L just do the reading (as much as you can), go to class (as much as you can), try to figure out what the professor cares about (as much as you can), take good notes and then try to distill them into a solid outline (or incorporate them into another outline you know to be solid). Definitely don't worry about what other people think or do. It doesn't matter at all. At all.

[ND2018]

I guess on the same subject, do people actually use there outlines on the exam? I've now heard professors say several times that referring to outlines is a waste of time on the exam and that we should just know it all before the exam; is there any truth to this?

[Effingham]

I guess on the same subject, do people actually use there outlines on the exam? I've now heard professors say several times that referring to outlines is a waste of time on the exam and that we should just know it all before the exam; is there any truth to this?

For the most part it's not all that necessary. The point of making the outline is to get the information pretty much down pat, but a good outline helps for a quick refresher when you need it. For torts, you'll know duty, breach, causation, and damages, the important part won't be as much the little details as identifying where in the crazy hypo these things apply.

[Traynor Brah]

I think if you're heaving referencing a traditional outline (e.g. 30,000 word rambling, chronological monstrosity), it's going to tend to sink you. But if you have highly organized and condensed attack/step-by-step outlines, go crazy. I heavily relied on the latter for most of my 1L exams and did quite well. But it's all about what you think will work for you and make you comfortable and confident, of course.

[AReasonableMan]

I'd also say that unless you have a better education, are smarter or a quicker reader than most of your class, it is a losing strategy to do the same stuff they do. Personally, I recognized I was at a disadvantage starting law school because I was a terrible reader in comparison and had not read a full book since high school, so I decided to just go with my gut and not use the textbooks. It worked out very well, and supports the proposition that you want to manipulate the syllabus to fit in with your strengths rather than abiding by the status-quo.

[totesTheGoat]

But if you have highly organized and condensed attack/step-by-step outlines, go crazy. I heavily relied on the latter for most of my 1L exams and did quite well.

This is good advice. I have never created an outline with more than 18 pages because a) I don't have time to put one together; and b) I can't wrap my head around creating a document that is entirely useless for its "intended" purpose. If I'm putting together an outline, I'm doing so in order to have something that will help me on the exam. I may not use it a lot, but it needs to be functional. A 100 page outline is about as useful on the exam as the casebook would be.

[Animal_Activist]

I agree with the idea of outlining. I couldn't imagine my outline being useful if it is beyond 15 pgs. I need something set to study and get down in my head as a final review for exams. I honestly accept the fact that I'm not going to be the next Scalia or big law attorney. I just want to have a chance at some sort of job that relates to an interest and that means not failing classes. This helped a lot. Thank you so much.

My goal is going to be to stop stressing over finishing every reading. I will just do what I can and try to put time for outlining every weekend.

[Traynor Brah]

I think making your own outlines is extremely valuable. However, I never once incorporated my own notes into my outlines. Find three or four outlines from people whom you know did well in the class (for that same professor), find a good supplement, and painstakingly combine all of those together. No need to do work that's already been done (better) before.

[JGMotorsport]

A few things that have helped clear the air for me as well. I have a few supplements that I don't really use anymore. But since I commute to school I have both the Sum and Substance for Ks and for Civ Pro. I listen to the topics after reading on my way to school and then again on my way home. It solidifies the concepts from another perspective to show you the forest not just the trees.

I've been cold called about 11 times total and 3 of those times I just had to say I'm not sure to a question or two. Nobody notices except the prof but, at least where I am, point deductions come from gross unpreparation(see I can make up legal sounding words). Not just normal misunderstandings that everybody is having except a few.

[Animal_Activist]

There is one class I am struggling with which is Administrative Law. For some reason I am lost. I even bought a supplement and that doesn't clear it up for me. Should I just not care and take the test cold and hope to pass or should I spend hours on it because that is definitely what is taking up my time.

[RaceJudicata]

If these are 1L classes (which I assume they are - didn't bother to fully read the thread), search the case online, find the wikipedia page/case brief online.

These briefs aren't perfect, but I found it helpful to use them in a few ways: 1) quick copy and paste into onenote so you can refer back to it if necessary, 2) read it BEFORE you actually read the case, so that when you actually read the case it all seems familiar and you can avoid getting stuck in the details

[totesTheGoat]

There is one class I am struggling with which is Administrative Law. For some reason I am lost. I even bought a supplement and that doesn't clear it up for me. Should I just not care and take the test cold and hope to pass or should I spend hours on it because that is definitely what is taking up my time.

Go to office hours and spend 30 minutes with the prof clearing up what you're not understanding. You need to understand the material enough to know what questions to ask, but spend maybe an hour or two going through the portions of the case book that you're confused about, and look at the table of contents for those sections. Then, once you have an hour or two's exposure to the material, go ask the prof to help you sort it out in your mind.