Where’s the best place to get textbooks?
You can always check the University of Michigan bookstore website for textbooks, of course, but Amazon tends to be a cheaper option. Even better than that, though, consider utilizing the Textbook Marketplace Google Sheet — this way, you can buy books directly from upperclassmen at a cheaper price than buying elsewhere. Furthermore, oftentimes when you get a book from a 2L or a 3L, they have notes, annotations, and highlights from their own experiences taking these classes, which can be helpful to look upon for information. Especially at the beginning of 1L, it can be useful to see how some other students have approached classes, via their textbook notes.
How to structure notes/outlines to best set yourself up for finals from the first day of classes?
This might not be the most helpful answer, but this can really depend on each individual. Some things to consider though:
- Some professors won’t let you use devices in class, so your notes might have to be done by hand — this won’t bother some people, who prefer handwritten notes anyways, but if you’re not used to writing notes longhand, prepare for that, just in case!
- Whether you take notes by hand or on a computer, you should try to take the time after class to review your notes while the lecture is freshest in your mind. This can be an opportunity to translate any shorthand text so you don’t forget it later, review areas from the professor’s lecture that you were confused about, and take note of anything you might want to talk about in office hours or at tutoring.
- Especially as you are getting used to reading case law for the first time, it may be beneficial to read material through one time before you begin actual notetaking. Some cases are layered and it may be difficult to piece out the major rules and takeaways without reading the bigger picture at the outset.
- Outlining varies wildly based on the student. Some people use the process of outlining to go through the entire semester’s worth of material prior to the exam, while others may use an outline template from a previous student as a jumping off point. Either way, it is valuable to go through the entirety of your notes at the end of the semester to make sure you have a grasp of the bigger picture and access to all of the small details on your outline (especially in a class like torts or crim where the small details make all the difference).
- Regardless of whether or not you make your outline from scratch or use your own notes to supplement a previous outline, TYPE UP YOUR NOTES AS THE SEMESTER GOES ALONG. It takes far more time than you would expect, and your time is better spent on practice exams or visualizing how an entire semester’s worth of material will overlap on an exam question.
Should we take property?
Property is tested on the Bar, so taking it could definitely help you down the line. Otherwise, you’ll have to do some self-studying when prepping for the Bar.
Is peer tutoring worth it?
Yes! Whether you decide to attend religiously and treat it like a secondary part of class or attend sporadically and only get some specific questions answered, it’s at least worth signing up for peer tutoring, meeting your tutor, and seeing how the sessions are going to proceed. You can make it like a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ tutoring program, where you get what you need out of it. That being said, really make sure you are getting what you need out of it! If you find that just reaching out to your tutor for specific questions or using their outline is more helpful than sitting through the sessions, that’s okay! What matters most is that you are feeling like you’ve gotten something out of it and that you’re not spending time that you could use elsewhere just for going through the tutoring motions.
Should we get Quimbee?
Quimbee can be a great resource for cases decided by the Supreme Court or that establish major rules. It also can be helpful if the case you are reading is really old or written by Justice Kennedy. It is not a necessity, and there are free resources like Oyez and Justia that provide a broad and less-detailed account of major cases. However, it has almost every case you’ll read and it can be a lifesaver when you have three doctrinals on both Monday and Tuesday. Many people split one account between two students, which is a great way to save some money.
What are some of the best study spots in the Law School?
This depends heavily on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for somewhere silent where you’ll feel like a real life law student, the reading room is great. Some people (me) absolutely hate the vibes and would rather study somewhere else. UpCo is great if you are planning to meet a study group or just want to talk a case out with friends, but it is typically very loud during busy hours. LoCo is quieter, but still an excellent place to meet with small groups of people. The best mix of all of the above can be the rooms along the perimeter of the reading room. They are both quiet and have space for study groups. However, they book up pretty quickly and there aren’t an unlimited number of them.
