Red Mosquito • View topic - I'll be starting law school in the fall...

Cartman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:22 pm

I know we have some lawyers out there...anyone have any advice?

More than likely I'll be going to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I can't beat the in-state tuition and the placement in the state. I hope to come back to Nashville after graduation to find employment. I've been trying to do as much reading as I can to prepare myself and reduce anxiety during my 1L experience. Any books or study methods for exams and preparation that any former law students found useful during their first year?

Peeps · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:15 am **Posts:** 33031

list of movies to watch

My Cousin Vinny
Devils Advocate
Weird Science
The Accused
Cape Fear

TV Shows to watch

Law and Order
Law and Order SUV
Boston Legal
Angel

Cartman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:40 pm

Peeps wrote:

list of movies to watch
The Paper Chase
Legally Blonde
My Cousin Vinny
Devils Advocate
Weird Science
The Accused
Cape Fear
I am Sam
Runaway Jury
A Time to Kill
Philadelphia
12 Angry Men
The Client
A Civil Action
The Hurricane
The People vs. Larry Flynt

TV Shows to watch

Law and Order
Law and Order SUV
Law and Order Criminal Intent
Boston Legal
Angel

Good ones, I added a few more.

corduroy_blazer · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:51 pm

it's not too late to back out.

Cartman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:57 pm

corduroy_blazer wrote:

it's not too late to back out.

And spend my days continuing to wait tables? Oh it's tempting, with no benefits and being treated like a piece of shit everyday it was a hard choice to make vs. wanting to study the law for a long time now, but I've decided against staying in my current job for some reason.

thodoks · **Joined:** Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:19 pm **Posts:** 25134

Cartman wrote:

corduroy_blazer wrote:

it's not too late to back out.

And spend my days continuing to wait tables? Oh it's tempting, with no benefits and being treated like a piece of shit everyday it was a hard choice to make vs. wanting to study the law for a long time now, but I've decided against staying in my current job for some reason.

whew. i was really, really rooting for moar lawyurs.

stip · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:46 pm

good luck

I'm our pre-law advisor next year. They're sending me to a conference about that in a month or so. I may have some advice then

Chris_H_2 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:05 pm

Cartman wrote:

And spend my days continuing to wait tables? Oh it's tempting, with no benefits and being treated like a piece of shit everyday it was a hard choice to make vs. wanting to study the law for a long time now, but I've decided against staying in my current job for some reason.

And this is different than being a practicing attorney how?

Peeps · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:15 am **Posts:** 33031

Chris_H_2 wrote:

And this is different than being a practicing attorney how?

he can be called a piece of shit in a very expensive suit with no nametag

Raziel · **Joined:** Wed Aug 24, 2005 12:42 am **Posts:** 7939

Peeps wrote:

Chris_H_2 wrote:

And this is different than being a practicing attorney how?

he can be called a piece of shit in a very expensive suit with no nametag

no tips, though.

Peeps · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:15 am **Posts:** 33031

ok, enough is enough, this is two posts in one day where there have been no attacks between us and its fucking upsetting me

Raziel · **Joined:** Wed Aug 24, 2005 12:42 am **Posts:** 7939

Peeps wrote:

ok, enough is enough, this is two posts in one day where there have been no attacks between us and its fucking upsetting me

I'm just fucking with your mind

Cartman · **Posted:** Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:45 am

Chris_H_2 wrote:

Cartman wrote:

And spend my days continuing to wait tables? Oh it's tempting, with no benefits and being treated like a piece of shit everyday it was a hard choice to make vs. wanting to study the law for a long time now, but I've decided against staying in my current job for some reason.

And this is different than being a practicing attorney how?

hahaha....yeah.

But like others have said, I don't have to wear a stupid name tag and talk about food all day long. Anyway, thanks everyone for the incredible advice. It's been so helpful. :thumbsup:

shades-go-down · **Posted:** Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:40 am

1. Do your readings diligently. It makes a huge difference.

2. Don't panic if you find judicial reasoning impenetrable to begin with or the volume of reading insurmountable. It takes a good six months to get the hang of it.

3. Do your own notes on MS Word as you go along for each course. Your summary of each case shouldn't be longer than about 2 paragraphs. Don't just use someone else's notes/outlines. You won't learn much if you do.

4. Keep an open mind about different areas of law. Don't get sucked into corporate just because everyone else is - you'll find that the big firms have a strong presence at law schools. You can have an interesting career and earn good money in a number of different areas.

5. Enjoy it. I miss world of ideas you get to live in for 3 years. These days I mostly only get to play in the world of evidence law, which is great but there's nothing like learning for the sake of learning. Law school can be a real drag if you treat it as a ticket to employment only.

Peeps · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:15 am **Posts:** 33031

shades-go-down wrote:

1. Do your readings diligently. It makes a huge difference.

2. Don't panic if you find judicial reasoning impenetrable to begin with or the volume of reading insurmountable. It takes a good six months to get the hang of it.

3. Do your own notes on MS Word as you go along for each course. Your summary of each case shouldn't be longer than about 2 paragraphs. Don't just use someone else's notes/outlines. You won't learn much if you do.

4. Keep an open mind about different areas of law. Don't get sucked into corporate just because everyone else is - you'll find that the big firms have a strong presence at law schools. You can have an interesting career and earn good money in a number of different areas.

5. Enjoy it. I miss world of ideas you get to live in for 3 years. These days I mostly only get to play in the world of evidence law, which is great but there's nothing like learning for the sake of learning. Law school can be a real drag if you treat it as a ticket to employment only.

sorry, theres no room for "real" answers here, please come up with a funny or delete this

thanks

Alessiana · **Joined:** Tue Jan 18, 2005 8:14 am **Posts:** 4355

Peeps wrote:

shades-go-down wrote:

1. Do your readings diligently. It makes a huge difference.

2. Don't panic if you find judicial reasoning impenetrable to begin with or the volume of reading insurmountable. It takes a good six months to get the hang of it.

3. Do your own notes on MS Word as you go along for each course. Your summary of each case shouldn't be longer than about 2 paragraphs. Don't just use someone else's notes/outlines. You won't learn much if you do.

4. Keep an open mind about different areas of law. Don't get sucked into corporate just because everyone else is - you'll find that the big firms have a strong presence at law schools. You can have an interesting career and earn good money in a number of different areas.

5. Enjoy it. I miss world of ideas you get to live in for 3 years. These days I mostly only get to play in the world of evidence law, which is great but there's nothing like learning for the sake of learning. Law school can be a real drag if you treat it as a ticket to employment only.

sorry, theres no room for "real" answers here, please come up with a funny or delete this

thanks

ignore the man with the toe behind the curtain, and pay mind to the man behind the shades.

I'm not in law school but here's general advice

1. record lectures if you can. it's helpful and can be inspirational when you have a great teacher. my daughter wishes she had one for her civil rights course, just so she could share it... she found it that inspiring.

2. ... damnit... oh yeah. a different type of TV show - Raising the Bar. Real law isn't like this but neither are the other shows and this show present the other... defense by idealists. i enjoyed the hell out of it.

.

Cartman · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2009 12:06 am

rickson · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2009 3:23 am

Good luck partner!
You will have to get used to read too much.But at the end,you will get used to it.And even if you dont work after in the law,will be a good tool for your all life.Im in my 4 year now.Looking foward to finish.But has been worthy.

stompbox · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2009 7:07 pm

Cartman wrote:

Peeps wrote:

list of movies to watch
The Paper Chase
Legally Blonde
My Cousin Vinny
Devils Advocate
Weird Science
The Accused
Cape Fear
I am Sam
Runaway Jury
A Time to Kill
Philadelphia
12 Angry Men
The Client
A Civil Action
The Hurricane
The People vs. Larry Flynt

TV Shows to watch

Law and Order
Law and Order SUV
Law and Order Criminal Intent
Boston Legal
Angel

Good ones, I added a few more.

Add:
A Few Good Men
Primal Fear
The Firm
Scent Of A Woman
Erin Brokovich

Cartman · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:10 pm

I'm packing, cleaning and will be getting the truck to move to Knoxville tomorrow. I start Law School at the University of Tennessee on August 17th and I'm starting to get nervous. I move into our new place on Thursday and will get cable and internet on Friday afternoon.

I'll be starting law school in the fall...

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