1L Guide To Surviving The First Year

Definition of Visual Learners

Learners who have a preference for seeing material in order to learn.
 

Techniques for Visual Learners

So, if you tend to be a visual learner, what’s missing in the standard advice? In some ways it suits you well — you learn well by reading, so you’re probably pretty comfortable reading cases. But regurgitating cases isn’t the point of law school exams.

You’ve got to synthesize the material and understand the law, and a formal “outline” probably isn’t the best way for you to do that. You’re likely to be happier, and more productive, if you get a huge piece of paper and a bunch of colored pencils, and start diagramming the entire course. It’ll take you a few days, but, at the end of that time, you’ll have a reference that actually makes sense to you. Your friends might think you’re crazy, but so what? There’s no award for having the most boring outline!

Tips for Visual Learners

Instead of just reading and briefing the cases you should augment your case briefs with drawing diagrams or flow charts.

You may want to look at commercial flowcharts that present areas of law in a diagram rather than an outline form.

Copy any diagrams a professor may draw.

Definition of Auditory Learners

A learner who has to hear information to absorb it.

Techniques for Auditory Learners

What pieces of the traditional advice don’t work for auditory learners? Well, the class discussion probably works great but other things are not as helpful.  

If you’re primarily an auditory learner, your study group is critical. You’ve got to have people to discuss things with, because that’s how you solidify your own knowledge. If you can’t find a study partner, even explaining what you’re learning to a friend can help; it doesn’t actually matter if they understand what you’re saying as it is primarily an exercise for you.

Many law students with a preference for auditory learning swear by taped lectures, either of their own professor or commercial versions.  Gilbert Law Summaries and the Sum and Substance CD series seem popular.

Tips for Auditory Learners

Always read the class material and supplement it with an audio version of the material.

You might benefit from a study group that discusses cases prior to and following class.

Always take notes during class, because what may be clear to you today may not be clear a week after class.

Some professors may allow you to record the class.  Always ask first.  Recording may take a lot of time but if you have a long drive or work out, it may be something beneficial to listen to as a review for your next class.

Check out many of your cases in audio form. Sign up Here http://courtroomcast.lexisnexis.com/

Definition of Kinesthetic Learners

A learner who needs to be actively doing something while learning.

Techniques for Kinesthetic Learners

If you’re a kinesthetic learner, you probably find law school frustrating. Take heart!  You might really like practicing law, since you’re constantly figuring things out on the fly as a real lawyer!

But the standard techniques of legal pedagogy aren’t all that well suited for your learning style. That’s not to say you can’t succeed. You can, but you’ll have to shape the experience to work for you more than some of your classmates will.

One option is to put yourself in the thick of things. Rather than making a traditional outline, pretend that you’ve been hired to argue a case that turns on the topic you’re studying. If you can get a classmate to argue the other side, even better. Then actually have the trial.  Each of you gets to explain the facts and make your best legal arguments for why your client should prevail. (Try to recruit an auditory learner friend to be the judge, and she’ll benefit from hearing both sides. In the process, you’ll figure out the law. As soon as you understand it, write some flashcards. Tada! There’s your outline.

Tips for Kinesthetic Learners

Brief cases before class.

During class discussion take notes and draw pictures of what is being discussed.

After class, transfer your notes into course outlines.

Stay actively engaged with the material before, during, and after class.