First year law students get plenty of advice, some good, and some bad. We offer the following series of links to blog posts for your consideration:
Vikram Amar, Advice For the Law School Class of '09: Ten Key Principles That Will Help You Succeed. Amar writes for the Writ, a blog hosted by FindLaw. Amar explains why, among other things, you should not use 1L study aids when you begin your studies.
Jeremy Blachman writing for (what else?) Jeremy's Blog, posts A Big Law School Advice Post. This is a short list of things to think about during your entire law school education, not just your first few weeks. Blachman has a wry sense of humor. Look for the link to The Ultimate Law School Purity Test.
Paul Horwitz, More Advice for 1Ls. Horwitz, writing for the PrawfsBlawg, comes out strongly against "shortcuts," e.g., using outlines or trying to figure out what the your professor wants and studying only that. Horwitz also recommends taking some chances especially in classroom discussions.
Julie Hilden, Advice to First-Year Law Students. Like Amar, Hilden writes for the Writ on FindLaw. And, like Horwitz, she favors classroom participation.
And finally, Dahlia Lithwick, Letter to a Young Law Student. Lithwick is the senior legal correspondent for Slate Magazine. She is always worth reading whether she is explaining the latest USSC decision or why you should continue to have a life while you are studying as hard as you can.
As Lithwick says - "All this advice is probably extreme and excessive. Your parents will probably set my house on fire for providing it. But read it anyhow. And think about it. Life is short. Misery is overrated."
Good advice or not? You be the judge. So to speak.
