Law School Discussion

I don't have the time to go into all your concerns, but here's a distinction:

You brief cases as you do the reading BEFORE class.  This is so you can learn/know the impt. facts, the rule, the holding, etc. and if you get called on, you'll at least have some idea what's going on.

You outline classes after the fact, so you can incorporate the reading notes you took and what the professor said in class.

I suggest you pick up Law School Confidential, or at least stop by a book store or library and flip through the first couple chapters.  The book is kind of intense, and I didn't follow its study "schedule" but it at least gives you an overview of the basics.

This is EXACTLY how I did it as well. I outlined my class notes every few weeks. Sometimes it helps waiting a few weeks to fully understand the topic.

At my school, at my first year books were all required and we used everyone of them. If you have a writing class, you may be able to get away with borrowing someone's or waiting to see if you really need it. But I wouldn't advise waiting...get all your case books and other required stuff.

What I do now is buy all of my books at campus then buy them online again used, and then return them to the bookstore once they all come in. Waiting for a book to be shipped sucks, especially when you need to be prepared for 1L classes.

I'm at 3L, finishing up in December and here are my thoughts on Widener. Some may apply and some may not...

1. Don't freak out during Civ Pro. 95% of the class will have no clue what is going on throughout the semester. Just wait and everything will click in November. Get Glannon's E and E and read it at the same time with the assignments. Don't worry about outlining early. BarBri will have a lecture in Nov and you must go to that! You will do your outline during this lecture. My prof isn't teaching it this year. Also, your final will most likely be open notes or at least open book. I could bring anything in I wanted for mine.

2. Torts- I checked the schedule and luckily all the professors are good. Culhane has the rep of being one of Widener's best, but I never had him. I had Turezyn who takes some getting used to, but is also really good. She requires you to read 30 pages ahead for class. She has certain people that she will always call on (mostly guys) for her demonstrations, but her class is the most relaxed of all first year classes. Her mid term is really tough and will have EVERYTHING you studied on there. Not kidding. Her final was much easier and she is a very fair grader.

3. Property- I had Kristl who is tough, but a lot of people like him. Covers topics that other sections don't. He will call on people and will stay on you hard if you didn't read. So to save face, always read for his class! I had Reed for Property 2- nice guy, kinda out there but good. He calls on students but he will walk you through it. Read for class but it's okay if you have no clue what you read. He tries to make class fun with his wheel of fortune type responses.

4. Legal Methods- this class is no joke and is hard but do-able. I heard that this class isn't part of the horrible curve, so you can do well in the class without getting screwed. The key is to start early. Some wait and try to do it in 2 weeks and end up getting Cs. Even if you start early, you will pull all-nighters right before it's due. I had Finkelstein who is probably one of the best profs there. Very understanding and willing to answer every question.

Studying tips- I changed my whole study pattern after first semester. I used to spend all weekends reading for the next week and by the time class rolled again, I forgot everything even though I had briefs/notes on my laptop. For me, reading 2 or so days ahead was more effective.

Outlining- Torts and Property are easy to outline early. I didn't go to the Barbri lectures on those classes though. Some people only use older students outlines, but doesn't work for me. I always did my own outlines then used older students to supplement what I did.  I thought those big outline books (Emanuel's maybe?) was a waste of time. I bought all 3 for first semester classes and never used them. The E and E's and the Lexis Nexis ones are awesome and I still use them all faithfully. The library has most of them and can take them out for a few hours. But suck up the money and buy the one for Civ Pro.

Books- Widener is famous for not selling used books. I get all mine off Amazon and save so much money. It's crazy. If you can find used ones without much marking, you can save about $300.

Hope this helps, but realize this is what worked for me! 

I can try to answer any specific questions about classes or profs.

Good luck!