1L of a Blog Series: Creating a Study Schedule

Welcome to law school! This is a biweekly series with tips and tricks for success in law school. Although it’s billed toward new law students, I hope that every member of the law school community can find something helpful here.

As you already know, final exams in law school are a high-stakes game and proper preparation makes all the difference. With multiple subjects, dense materials, and the need for issue-spotting skills, having a structured study schedule is key to performing well. Here’s how you can create a study plan that maximizes efficiency and minimizes stress.

Step 1: Take Stock of Your Exam Schedule

Before creating a study plan, note the dates and formats of your exams. Your exam schedule may be a mix of open-book, closed-book, essay, and multiple-choice exams. I’m guessing that most will be time pressured. While you should study for every exam as if it’s closed book, understanding what’s required will help you allocate study time and study tasks appropriately.

Step 2: Create a Study Calendar

Start by determining how many days you have until each exam. Every day between now and your exams should have at least one study block, even if it’s short. The number of study blocks each day will increase as you get closer to your exams.

In your calendar, you should allocate study blocks for each subject (even your least favorite one!). Between now and exams, you should ensure that each subject gets adequate review, that you distribute intense study periods with breaks to avoid burnout, and that you schedule at least one full review day before each exam. Full review days are usually interspersed through reading days and exam period.

To start, I recommend allocating even time for each subject to avoid neglecting one based on difficulty or preference. However, as you study, you may find that having equal time for each subject isn’t appropriate for your course load. For instance, you may elect to spend more time studying for your 4-credit course than a 2-credit one. You should personalize your study plan to your needs.

Step 3: Break Down Study Sessions

We’ve talked about building in time for each subject, but what should you do with your study block? Each study block should have a specific focus. A typical study session could include:

• Reviewing outlines
• Practicing past exams or hypos
• Memorization drills (flashcards, mnemonics, etc.)
• Active recall and issue-spotting exercises

The specific focus of a particular study session should be tailored to your needs in the class. Early in your studying, you’ll likely spend more time reviewing outlines to refresh the law and doing memorization drills. As you get more confident in your understanding of the material, your focus will shift to the practical application.

The type of study tasks you do may also depend on the format of your exam. A closed-book exam requires a lot of detailed rule memorization, whereas an exam where you’re allowed an outline needs at least some focus on creating that resource to be most helpful in the exam setting. Make sure, though, to still prioritize memorization for an open-book exam – you don’t want to spend all of your exam time flipping through outlines!

Step 4: Incorporate Active Learning Techniques

While you need to review your outlines, make sure to engage in active learning throughout your studies to help with retention and understanding. Simply reading and re-reading outlines day after day won’t get you fully prepared for your exam. Some ideas for engaging in active learning include taking timed practice exams; writing out rule statements from memory; teaching concepts to a study partner or explaining them out loud; and using spaced repetition for memorization. Use early study sessions to try different techniques and explore your learning style. If you’re not sure what techniques might work best for you for different courses, seek out advice from your teaching assistants and your school’s academic success professionals.

Step 5: Allow for Flexibility & Prioritize Self-Care

Law school exams are a marathon, not a sprint, and unexpected challenges may arise. You can – and should – build time into your study schedule to allow for flexibility, but one of the best ways to prevent burnout is to take care of yourself. Maintain a balance by getting adequate sleep, taking breaks and exercising, eating well, and staying hydrated. Lean on your friends and family as sources of support during the stressful final exam season, and don’t hesitate to seek professional mental health support if needed.

 

A well-structured study schedule can make your exam prep more manageable and reduce stress. By planning ahead, using active study methods, and taking care of yourself, you’ll set yourself up for success!

(Dayna Smith)