Wake Law Students taking Questions!!! Forum

[PirateCap'n]

PirateCapn- would you mind telling us what supplements you brought for your classes, which ones you found most hepful for each first semester class, etc..?

+1

I am reading through PLS, and right now he wants to buy everything... and that seems expensive.

I think supplements are very professor-dependent. The ones that everyone seems to recommend regardless of the professor are the Contracts E&E, Civ. Pro. E&E, Understanding Crim. Law by Dressler (which I didn't find particularly helpful), and E&E for Torts. I bought them all and found all but Understanding Crim. Law to be very helpful. I thought Understanding Crim. Law was in too much of a narrative format. I found that I definitely prefer a checklist/short paragraphs with examples approach.

The supplements I bought that were more dependent upon the professor were Gilbert's Torts (professor wrote it) and Acing Civ. Pro (checklist format). Acing Civ. Pro was a lifesaver (combine it with a great outline to regurgitate and you can ace Walker's exam). I liked Gilbert's Torts more than the Torts E&E because it was written in pretty much the same style that my professor taught since he wrote it. The best advice that I can give you is to wait until you see how your professors teach and see if they recommend specific supplements. If you are determined to go ahead and buy supplements before school starts, I would probably start with the E&Es because they are almost universally well-regarded (except for Criminal Law -- Most people say that the Crim. Law E&E is useless, but I didn't try it).

I've bought piles of supplements for this semester too, but, since I don't know whether or not they will actually help me (and because I haven't really gotten around to outlining/going through supplements yet), I'll hold off on recommending/not recommending any of those.

[jdemmitt]

PirateCapn- would you mind telling us what supplements you brought for your classes, which ones you found most hepful for each first semester class, etc..?

+1

I am reading through PLS, and right now he wants to buy everything... and that seems expensive.

I think supplements are very professor-dependent. The ones that everyone seems to recommend regardless of the professor are the Contracts E&E, Civ. Pro. E&E, Understanding Crim. Law by Dressler (which I didn't find particularly helpful), and E&E for Torts. I bought them all and found all but Understanding Crim. Law to be very helpful. I thought Understanding Crim. Law was in too much of a narrative format. I found that I definitely prefer a checklist/short paragraphs with examples approach.

The supplements I bought that were more dependent upon the professor were Gilbert's Torts (professor wrote it) and Acing Civ. Pro (checklist format). Acing Civ. Pro was a lifesaver (combine it with a great outline to regurgitate and you can ace Walker's exam). I liked Gilbert's Torts more than the Torts E&E because it was written in pretty much the same style that my professor taught since he wrote it. The best advice that I can give you is to wait until you see how your professors teach and see if they recommend specific supplements. If you are determined to go ahead and buy supplements before school starts, I would probably start with the E&Es because they are almost universally well-regarded (except for Criminal Law -- Most people say that the Crim. Law E&E is useless, but I didn't try it).

I've bought piles of supplements for this semester too, but, since I don't know whether or not they will actually help me (and because I haven't really gotten around to outlining/going through supplements yet), I'll hold off on recommending/not recommending any of those.

What about Outlines? Any specific ones for that?

[PirateCap'n]

What about Outlines? Any specific ones for that?

The Law Review posts outlines from upperclassmen online each year for most of the classes, so I just use those. They're from upperclassmen who did well in the class and usually cover everything very well. For the most part, I simply took those outlines and added information from my notes that I thought would be helpful. There were a couple of classes where I made my own outline, and that was fine too. It's another one of those things where personal preference is really all that counts.

[SteelyDan]

PirateCapn- would you mind telling us what supplements you brought for your classes, which ones you found most hepful for each first semester class, etc..?

+1

I am reading through PLS, and right now he wants to buy everything... and that seems expensive.

Look for used old editions of the E&Es... I bought all of the PLS "Must Haves" and only spent about $150. I'm more concerned with the amount of reading to get done than the cost. Hopefully it'll pay off.

[jdemmitt]

Did you use Amazon?

[SteelyDan]

No, I used a textbook search engine called AddAll.com and found the old ones by ISBN. Some of them were less than a dollar and actually ended up being in almost perfect condition!

The Delaney books are the only exception - the new/used price difference was negligible, so I bought all 3 directly from the publisher. Even though he ships media mail (free!) they only took 2 days and came with a personal note from Professor Delaney.

[jdemmitt]

I have all of the Must haves in my Amazon shopping cart, and it is about 150 right now. I wish I knew my schedule, so I could email the teachers and ask. I am refraining from getting LEEWS and a Criminal Law book at this point. Think I will order these later. Oh boy.

[girlonfire]

I have all of the Must haves in my Amazon shopping cart, and it is about 150 right now. I wish I knew my schedule, so I could email the teachers and ask. I am refraining from getting LEEWS and a Criminal Law book at this point. Think I will order these later. Oh boy.

can u email me ur shopping cart list?? i havent even started thinking about outlines & stuff.. still panicking over living arrangements

[SteelyDan]

I have all of the Must haves in my Amazon shopping cart, and it is about 150 right now. I wish I knew my schedule, so I could email the teachers and ask. I am refraining from getting LEEWS and a Criminal Law book at this point. Think I will order these later. Oh boy.

I'm waiting on LEEWS also - not only to ask around and see if it's worth it, but also to potentially get a group together and get a price break on the live program.

[NCtoDC]

To each his own but I honestly think you guys are jumping the gun. My friend is a 1L at Campbell (plz refrain from TTT bashing) and they are known for harsh grading. She had a 159 LSAT did not use any prep books or LEEWS before school and is in the top 10% of her class. Yes I realize this may be the high end of the spectrum for their admits but I think you guys are going to psych yourselves out.

I do plan on reading Getting to Maybe and Law School Confidential. I am not planning some super strategic study plan at this point though.

I guess I understand buying the stuff now versus when school starts from the perspective of having a job and being able to afford it now as opposed to using loan funds.

[SteelyDan]

To each his own but I honestly think you guys are jumping the gun. My friend is a 1L at Campbell (plz refrain from TTT bashing) and they are known for harsh grading. She had a 159 LSAT did not use any prep books or LEEWS before school and is in the top 10% of her class. Yes I realize this may be the high end of the spectrum for their admits but I think you guys are going to psych yourselves out.

I do plan on reading Getting to Maybe and Law School Confidential. I am not planning some super strategic study plan at this point though.

I guess I understand buying the stuff now versus when school starts from the perspective of having a job and being able to afford it now as opposed to using loan funds.

It's not something I'm stressing about, I really am just doing this casually over the summer. I promise, I'm not some crazy gunner looking for every little edge, I'd just like to start the year off feeling comfortable rather than overwhelmed.

[NCtoDC]

To each his own but I honestly think you guys are jumping the gun. My friend is a 1L at Campbell (plz refrain from TTT bashing) and they are known for harsh grading. She had a 159 LSAT did not use any prep books or LEEWS before school and is in the top 10% of her class. Yes I realize this may be the high end of the spectrum for their admits but I think you guys are going to psych yourselves out.

I do plan on reading Getting to Maybe and Law School Confidential. I am not planning some super strategic study plan at this point though.

I guess I understand buying the stuff now versus when school starts from the perspective of having a job and being able to afford it now as opposed to using loan funds.

It's not something I'm stressing about, I really am just doing this casually over the summer. I promise, I'm not some crazy gunner looking for every little edge, I'd just like to start the year off feeling comfortable rather than overwhelmed.

Sure you say that now, lol

I can understand the being comfortable as opposed to overwhelmed thing. I am trying not to think about it right now, lol. I'll spend my whole summer stressed out. Maybe once I read those two books, I will feel a more pressing need to go out get this stuff. Honestly, it would be a good idea to buy the stuff now just for the financial aspect of it.

[jdemmitt]

I am over prepping bc I have been out of school since august. My conversations are mostly with you guys and a 2 yr old. I need to think again.

[NCtoDC]

I am over prepping bc I have been out of school since august. My conversations are mostly with you guys and a 2 yr old. I need to think again.

LMAO.

I have been out of school for 1.5 yrs. :-/

[SteelyDan]

I am over prepping bc I have been out of school since august. My conversations are mostly with you guys and a 2 yr old. I need to think again.

LMAO.

I have been out of school for 1.5 yrs. :-/

I've been out of school for 4 years, so getting back into that kind of routine is going to be a big adjustment.

PLS is a little dramatic with its sense of urgency. I'm following his recommendations, but with the understanding that I don't HAVE to be doing it, which should let me still enjoy the summer (or at least the few weeks after I leave my job).

[NCtoDC]

I am over prepping bc I have been out of school since august. My conversations are mostly with you guys and a 2 yr old. I need to think again.

LMAO.

I have been out of school for 1.5 yrs. :-/

I've been out of school for 4 years, so getting back into that kind of routine is going to be a big adjustment.

PLS is a little dramatic with its sense of urgency. I'm following his recommendations, but with the understanding that I don't HAVE to be doing it, which should let me still enjoy the summer (or at least the few weeks after I leave my job).

This. I never really studied in school. Barely read the text, etc. I will definitely have some adjusting to do. Nonetheless, I am so excited for the fall. I wish it was here already.

[SteelyDan]

This. I never really studied in school. Barely read the text, etc. I will definitely have some adjusting to do. Nonetheless, I am so excited for the fall. I wish it was here already.

That's the other problem, I kinda breezed through undergrad in 3 years without much effort, so having to TRY will be new

[Nicholasnickynic]

To each his own but I honestly think you guys are jumping the gun. My friend is a 1L at Campbell (plz refrain from TTT bashing) and they are known for harsh grading. She had a 159 LSAT did not use any prep books or LEEWS before school and is in the top 10% of her class. Yes I realize this may be the high end of the spectrum for their admits but I think you guys are going to psych yourselves out.

I do plan on reading Getting to Maybe and Law School Confidential. I am not planning some super strategic study plan at this point though.

I guess I understand buying the stuff now versus when school starts from the perspective of having a job and being able to afford it now as opposed to using loan funds.

It's not something I'm stressing about, I really am just doing this casually over the summer. I promise, I'm not some crazy gunner looking for every little edge, I'd just like to start the year off feeling comfortable rather than overwhelmed.

you should be looking for every little edge.

[jdemmitt]

Ya, like me, I am going to be trying to food poison my ene- I mean... what edge?


Wow, glad to know I wont be the only one who has been out of the loop.

[girlonfire]

Ya, like me, I am going to be trying to food poison my ene- I mean... what edge?


Wow, glad to know I wont be the only one who has been out of the loop.

beware the chocolate chip cookies. muahahahahaha

[SteelyDan]

Ya, like me, I am going to be trying to food poison my ene- I mean... what edge?


Wow, glad to know I wont be the only one who has been out of the loop.

beware the chocolate chip cookies. muahahahahaha

That book you were looking for? Yeah, it's in the libraryonfire. It's not arson, it's just the game!

[girlonfire]

Ya, like me, I am going to be trying to food poison my ene- I mean... what edge?


Wow, glad to know I wont be the only one who has been out of the loop.

beware the chocolate chip cookies. muahahahahaha

That book you were looking for? Yeah, it's in the libraryonfire. It's not arson, it's just the game!

lmao

[tstyler98]

I read through the E&E's before school (I'd been out of school for 6 years, 8 since undergrad). I was really nervous about going back and what I was getting into. I think the biggest thing for me was that it gave me a basic understanding of the concepts before I started. So, when I started learning about subject matter jurisdiction in Civil Procedure, I had a basic idea of what it was. It helped keep me from feeling lost. I don't think you have to prep, but for me, it made everything a little less confusing.

During the semester, I looked at the E&E's again and used commercial outlines, as well as the student outlines that we have access to. I created my own outlines for each class. For closed book exams, I created flash cards that I memorized. For Criminal law, I only used a commercial outline, although not a lot. Professor Rose teaches things in a very particular way, so it wasn't as useful to use outside sources. But, he provides an outline for you to use and add to. For Constitutional law, I highly recommend Chemerinsky's "Constitutional Law: Principles and Policies." A lot of people swear that book is the only reason they passed.

I concur that it might be a good idea to wait to buy supplements. And, when you get here, a lot of the current students will sell their books and supplements (including me, so feel free to contact me...I was in section 4, but some books are the same for multiple sections, such as section 3 and 4 both had Rose for Criminal law and Walker for Civil Procedure). Also, once you have access to WIN, the school's system for registration and stuff, there is a section where students can list books they are selling.

[jdemmitt]

I am really excited to start reading those books. Minus the fact that I assume they will scare the crap out of me. Do the teachers teach Black Letter Law?

[tstyler98]

I am really excited to start reading those books. Minus the fact that I assume they will scare the crap out of me. Do the teachers teach Black Letter Law?

Some are better than others at teaching you BLL. Some will say "Here are the three elements of X." Others won't do that. Each section has good professors, and each has bad professors. You generally just have to work harder on your own to learn the material for the bad professors, but it can be done.

Don't allow it to scare you. You probably won't learn every single thing in the E&E. And what is taught, is taught over more than 3 months. And for Civil Procedure and Contracts, the material is taught over 2 semesters. The same for Constitutional Law (Con Law 1 during 1st year, and Con Law 2 during 2nd year). You're only responsible for knowing what your professor taught. And most professors are great about answering questions in class and outside of class about anything you don't understand.

Once you guys get your class schedules and know which section you're in, I'll try to help you out with advice for your professors. If I didn't have them myself, I'll ask others or those on here who had them can chime in. That is another thing I like about Wake, most people are willing to help others out. There might be a few who won't, but it's the minority.