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Should a 0L sitting in on a class at a school they've been admitted to bring anything (like a laptop, notebook, anything else, etc.)? What is normal for something like this?

Don't bring anything, aside from MAYBE a small notepad and pen to track what you like or don't like about the school you are visiting or any info you need. What school are you visiting?

It doesn't matter. You might want to bring a notebook so you have something in front of you, so you don't look out of place. Just don't volunteer to answer questions and don't browse facebook (or TLS).

Scurredsitless1 wrote:It doesn't matter. You might want to bring a notebook so you have something in front of you, so you don't look out of place. Just don't volunteer to answer questions and don't browse facebook (or TLS).

THIS. It is so obnoxious. IIRC, last semester, some kid visiting my friend's section and sat in on class and kept raising his hand. Eventually, the professor took out her frustration by making the kid choose who would get called on in class.

NoleinNY wrote:

Scurredsitless1 wrote:It doesn't matter. You might want to bring a notebook so you have something in front of you, so you don't look out of place. Just don't volunteer to answer questions and don't browse facebook (or TLS).

THIS. It is so obnoxious. IIRC, last semester, some kid visiting my friend's section and sat in on class and kept raising his hand. Eventually, the professor took out her frustration by making the kid choose who would get called on in class.

Haha. Who raises their hand when visiting a class?! That's just ridiculous!

I was considering bringing my laptop to "practice" taking notes on my computer, since during undergrad I never had a laptop (just got first laptop almost 2 years ago...). I think I might just stick to a small notepad or something though. Looking/feeling out of place and awkward was another worry, though... Also don't want to be "that guy" (see above...). haha.

I'm visiting LLS, by the way. Gonna PM you.

Judge Philip Banks wrote:

NoleinNY wrote:

Scurredsitless1 wrote:It doesn't matter. You might want to bring a notebook so you have something in front of you, so you don't look out of place. Just don't volunteer to answer questions and don't browse facebook (or TLS).

THIS. It is so obnoxious. IIRC, last semester, some kid visiting my friend's section and sat in on class and kept raising his hand. Eventually, the professor took out her frustration by making the kid choose who would get called on in class.

Haha. Who raises their hand when visiting a class?! That's just ridiculous!

I was considering bringing my laptop to "practice" taking notes on my computer, since during undergrad I never had a laptop (just got first laptop almost 2 years ago...). I think I might just stick to a small notepad or something though. Looking/feeling out of place and awkward was another worry, though... Also don't want to be "that guy" (see above...). haha.

I'm visiting LLS, by the way. Gonna PM you.

I wouldn't worry about the whole "practice taking notes" part of it.

NoleinNY wrote:
I wouldn't worry about the whole "practice taking notes" part of it.

Yeah, I'm sure it isn't really as big a deal as I'm making it in my mind.

I will likely just stick to a notepad to jot things down if I feel so inclined. Thanks for the advice.

You don't need to bring anything.

Observe and enjoy; if you're interested in studying law, then sitting in on a class without the worries of retaining the information should be fun!

I sat in on a class last Friday and it was a lot of fun (the 0Ls were actually seated in the front rows!), it was almost like going to an hour long lecture by a guest professor.

mf980 wrote:You don't need to bring anything.

Observe and enjoy; if you're interested in studying law, then sitting in on a class without the worries of retaining the information should be fun!

I sat in on a class last Friday and it was a lot of fun (the 0Ls were actually seated in the front rows!), it was almost like going to an hour long lecture by a guest professor.

This.

mf980 wrote: I sat in on a class last Friday and it was a lot of fun (the 0Ls were actually seated in the front rows!), it was almost like going to an hour long lecture by a guest professor.

Why were the 0Ls in the front rows?

do what you can to blend in. dont bring any unwanted attention to yourself, and dont distract others. listen to the lecture, and use the time to jot down your thoughts about the school ( so it looks like you are paying attention).

Bosque wrote:

mf980 wrote: I sat in on a class last Friday and it was a lot of fun (the 0Ls were actually seated in the front rows!), it was almost like going to an hour long lecture by a guest professor.

Why were the 0Ls in the front rows?

I honestly don't know. The tour guide (a 3L) sat us down in the front two rows of the class. I assumed we would be placed in the back so we weren't a distraction in any way. The teacher actually used us as examples for a few things (he even asked us a question: "what is a libertarian?"), so he wasn't shy about acknowledging our presence.

agree with above, only bring notebook and pen, just try and soak it in. a lot of it (depending on the class/you) will probably be over your head...no offense, but it will be...I would also recommended showing up early, talking to the professor and asking if you can sit in, they are pretty much guaranteed to say yes and it makes you look professional...

i've done this at 2 schools and 1 professor in particular was very helpful/willing to answer questions.

blazinswordofjustice wrote:agree with above, only bring notebook and pen, just try and soak it in. a lot of it (depending on the class/you) will probably be over your head...no offense, but it will be...I would also recommended showing up early, talking to the professor and asking if you can sit in, they are pretty much guaranteed to say yes and it makes you look professional...

i've done this at 2 schools and 1 professor in particular was very helpful/willing to answer questions.

When I did a campus visit, the adcomm I'd just met with and the student tour guide both told me to introduce myself to the prof and let him know I'd be sitting in on his class, but he just kinda looked at me like "ohhhkayyyy, that's fine, but why are you talking to me?" He wasn't rude or anything, but I felt a little dumb.

I took a water bottle and a notebook that I'd used to take notes during my meeting with the adcomm, and made sure to sit in the back row because seats were assigned. (There was a seating chart outside the door for each 1L section.)