Hey no bashing the 15-30 min study people. We take good notes in class and study for the final. When the professor calls on me, I say I didn't read. I don't care, my grade isn't hurt by that. Everything you need for the final you get in class so if you take bad ass notes and can think on the fly reading cases for the fun of it, is not worth it. I get the 2 lines of black letter law for my outline I need out of an hours reading you did for homework when I go to class. When you sit for the final no one cares what P or D did or where they sued. You just need the rule of law and how to apply it, and you get that in class. Learn the law in class for your outline, and if you don't understand that go see the professor for help on it. Then study outline.
Still in top 10% and I don't crack a book after the first semster or brief. Though for 1L, I would recomend reading and briefing till you understand the system. Once you do, it isn't any harder than undergrad. Learn the rule and how to apply it. If you can do that, you ace the finals.
Im in my 3rd year and I didn't buy books for my final semster. My professors think I am crazy. But hey when they grade the final, were just a number they don't know who I am.
I don't recomend my style though unless you feel confortable with it.
Good Luck you all and see you in the courthouse