1L of a ride - a bit of confused on some advice Forum

[TLSNYC]

I've been flipping through this book, 1L of a ride, and have a question about something the author mentions. When he describes, the socratic method, I get the feeling that this potentially takes up most of a law school lecture. If so, then the professor doesn't lecture much and it leaves me wondering how to take notes in a law school class?

Also, in a couple of places, I've read people mention that they keep separate notebooks or separate sections in a notebook for case briefs, class notes, and reading notes on supplements. If that's the case, don't notes become disjointed? I thought the professor would generally lecture or do the socratic method based on the cases that you were expected to brief?

[Helmholtz]

I've been flipping through this book, 1L of a ride, and have a question about something the author mentions. When he describes, the socratic method, I get the feeling that this potentially takes up most of a law school lecture. If so, then the professor doesn't lecture much and it leaves me wondering how to take notes in a law school class?

Also, in a couple of places, I've read people mention that they keep separate notebooks or separate sections in a notebook for case briefs, class notes, and reading notes on supplements. If that's the case, don't notes become disjointed? I thought the professor would generally lecture or do the socratic method based on the cases that you were expected to brief?

Pretty much all professors teach differently. Take notes in law school classes like you've always taken notes. Write down the important stuff and don't bother with the unimportant stuff. Not rocket science. Knowing what's important and what's not is more about thinking like a law student than having some kind of special note-taking strategy. This makes a lot more sense when you're actually thrown into things.

[cavebat2000]

Each professor is different, OP. Some do socratic, some don't. Some mix in lecture with socratic and some don't. You need to adapt to the specific situation you encounter in every single class. If its socratic, just write in your notes what you think his point is and, certainly, any rules she may cite. Beyond that, you have to use your own intelligence. No book is gonna tell you how to do your best in X professor's class.

Also, I think you can safely ignore all the individual-specific ways of preparing for classes. Keep them in mind as a tool, but if you don't think they would really help you, then ignore them. Law students waste an extraordinary amount of time on bullshit. Unfortunately, people think if they practice their bullshit in front of each other (staying up until 3am the morning before the exam studying) then its gotta be effective. It's not, its still bullshit. The best thing to do is wait until classes start and then work hard to figure out what works best for YOU.

Also, keep in mind, this is just one 2L's opinion. Weight accordingly.

[cavebat2000]

I've been flipping through this book, 1L of a ride, and have a question about something the author mentions. When he describes, the socratic method, I get the feeling that this potentially takes up most of a law school lecture. If so, then the professor doesn't lecture much and it leaves me wondering how to take notes in a law school class?

Also, in a couple of places, I've read people mention that they keep separate notebooks or separate sections in a notebook for case briefs, class notes, and reading notes on supplements. If that's the case, don't notes become disjointed? I thought the professor would generally lecture or do the socratic method based on the cases that you were expected to brief?

Pretty much all professors teach differently. Take notes in law school classes like you've always taken notes. Write down the important stuff and don't bother with the unimportant stuff. Not rocket science. Knowing what's important and what's not is more about thinking like a law student than having some kind of special note-taking strategy. This makes a lot more sense when you're actually thrown into things.

Damn you Helmholtz and your lightning fast responses! But seriously, what he said.

[TLSNYC]

Thanks a bunch for the helpful responses! I had a feeling it was a wait and see kind of a thing, but I was worried that I might be missing some rather obvious approach!