Dear 1L: Reflections on the Start of 1L

Dear 1L,

How are you holding up? At this point in the fall of 1L, I remember things still feeling exhilarating, but also exhausting and scary. I wasn’t sure what was coming next. Here are some recommendations.

🔹 When your class notes start to build up and you’ve completed a topic, such as intentional torts, you really need to start regrouping. This weekend is a good time. Try to get 100% caught up on the concepts you’ve covered in class so far.

🔹 Soon, you need to start thinking about how the concepts apply to new fact patterns. There will be sample hypotheticals that resemble exam questions in your textbook and in supplements.

⭐️ Reading sample exam questions and answers can really help you understand how legal concepts are applied to new fact patterns. Most students use Quimbee. The Examples and Explanation series also has some really good examples—they get you thinking in the way you’ll need to for exams.

⭐️ Try to retype a sample exam answer in your own words. Just copying the words down will help you start to see how courts would apply the legal standards you’ve learned in new fact situations. (I taught myself a lot of hard concepts, like consideration, this way. Just going to class and taking notes is not enough.)

I am thinking of you always and wonder what’s on your mind and what I should write a post about. Please do share your thoughts and questions, if you want. I respond to all (appropriate) comments and DMs.

Fondly,

💌 Amanda