About the Author     x
What Is Success?     1
Introduction     1
How You Define Success     2
Everyone Is Unique     4
Something Different     5
Choosing a Law School     7
The Right School for You     7
Your Law School     8
Setting     10
Day Versus Evening School     10
Curriculum     11
Understanding the Law School Experience     12
The Law School Calendar     12
Orientation     12
First Classes     13
Routine     16
The Wall     17
Panic     18
First Semester Finals     18
Semester Break     18
Renewed Hope     19
The January Blues     19
Falling Behind     19
The Mad Rush     19
Finals Again     20
Law School Courses     20
Torts     21
Property     21
Contracts     21
Civil Procedure     22
Constitutional Law     22
Criminal Law     23
Professional Responsibility     23
Legal Writing     23
The Professors     24
The Students     26
Classmates     26
Upperclass Students     29
The Law School Culture     30
Rules and Procedures     30
Relaxation and Breaks     32
Competition     33
Studying the Law     34
The Classroom Experience     34
Class Preparation     34
Briefing Cases     48
Classroom Routine     54
Note Taking     63
After Class     66
After Class Review     66
Talking to Professors     67
Outside Reading     68
Synthesizing     70
Outlines     71
Checklists     76
Other Concerns     76
Memorization Versus the Big Picture     76
Study Groups     77
Computers     78
Using the Library     78
Taking Exams     80
The Role of Ongoing Study     80
Review for Exams     81
By the Professor     81
By Yourself     81
With Your Study Group      82
Practice Exams     83
What Kind of Exam?     83
Essay Exams     83
Short Answer Exams     86
Multiple-Choice Exams     88
Combined Formats     90
Other Testing Options     91
The Examination     92
Beforehand     93
Instructions     93
Read the Question     94
Organize     95
IRAC     103
Logic     105
Writing     107
Grammar and Style     107
Legibility     108
Time     110
Test Anxiety     112
Practice Questions     113
Problem 1-Sally Westchester     113
Problem 2-Ronnie and Nancy     121
Problem 3-Sam Student     125
Conclusion     127
Managing Technology in Law School     128
Electronic Learning     128
Legal Research     129
Computers     130
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Law School     132
Time Management     132
Common Difficulties     133
A Time Management Model     133
Establish a Schedule      134
The Daily List     135
A Tickler System     135
Money Management     136
Financial Planning     136
Financial Aid     136
State Versus Private Schools     137
Working     137
Scholarships     138
Budgeting     139
Stress Management     140
Responsibility     140
Commitment     140
Little Aggravations     141
Signs of Stress     141
Stoicism     142
Causes     142
Coping     142
Exercise     143
Diet     143
R & R     143
Meditate     144
Help     144
Sex, Drugs, and Rock-and-Roll     145
Life in the Fast Lane     145
Prognosis for Type A's     146
A Nonreligious Argument for Slowing Down     146
The Job Market     146
Diverse Students     149
Women     149
Racial and Ethnic Minorities     150
Second Career Students     151
Physically Challenged Students     151
After the First Year      152
Academics     152
Class Rank     152
Classroom     153
Course Selections     154
Student Activities     155
Law Review     155
Moot Court     156
Student Government     156
Special Interest Groups     157
Other Learning Experiences     157
Scholarly Writing     158
Research Assistants     158
Nonlaw Courses     158
Clinical Education     159
Skills Training     159
Summer School     159
Foreign Study     160
Specialized Curricula     160
Work Experience     160
Problems     161
Waning Interest     161
Self-fulfilling Prophecy     162
Jobs     162
Conclusions-What Is Success?     163
Appendices
Suggested Reading     166
Resource Materials on Intent and Battery     169
More Torts Questions     193
More Long Essay Questions     204
More Short Answer Questions     217
Index     228