Law School Academic Support Blog

What's Your Focal Point?

Here's a book you might enjoy reading to help focus your attention on achieving a more balanced and rewarding life or to help your students to do the same.

The book makes some sweeping promises on the cover about how its contents will, "simplify your life, double your productivity, and achieve all your goals."  Whether you'll find that to be true is another matter, but it's a worthwhile and quick read. 

Personal productivity guru Brian Tracy explores the importance of setting a clear goal, or focal point, in all aspects of one's life as a means to achieve greater effectiveness at work and greater rewards in one's personal life and relationships.  With the tendency for law school to consume both teachers' and students' time, it's always good to have a reminder of the importance of clear thinking as the work piles up. 

Interested?  You can read excerpts of Focal Point now.

Tracy's website contains a list of all of his titles and some free resources, including a test of your management style at work.  (els).

Expert Learning for Law Students

 

       Carolina Academic Press recently released Professor Michael Hunter Schwartz's book entitled, Expert Learning for Law Students. 

The book, initially published in 2003 by Western State University College of Law, contains strategies to help students to become self-aware about their learning styles and the strategies to succeed as a law student. 

A workbook accompanies the text and a teacher's manual is forthcoming.  Teachers may request complimentary copies from the publisher.  (els)

Dictionary of Legal Terms

Is this an alternative to Black's Law Dictionary for students?  Law.com now offers a free Dictionary of Legal Terms.  I looked up a few terms ... it seems to be a good resource for a quickie definition, and might be quite helpful for wunnelles struggling (during their first month at least) for fluency in the Language of the Law.  (djt)

Read Any Good Books Lately?

When was the last time you read a book addressing matters of professional interest to Academic Support folks?  Okay, how about this: when was the last time you read a book you think should be recommended to students?  But wait, there's more ... Even Academic Support professionals vacation from time to time.  How about sharing some of those novels none of us would ever admit to reading except while at 30,000 feet? 

Books books books ... recommend books, review books, and let others know which books we shouldn't bother with.