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How To Be More Productive In Law School

Law school is hectic.  For many law students, it can be overwhelming to find time to not only study, but also work or intern and live life.

Ashley Heidemann, of National Jurist, recently offered a few tips to saving time and being more productive at law school.

DO READINGS LAST MINUTE (KIND OF) 

When it comes to readings, Heidemann says, the closer you read them to class, the better you’ll remember the content.

“In an effort to get a lot done, some students will read all of their cases over the weekend. But, by their Thursday class they will likely forget what they read,” Heidemann writes. “At best, this leads to rereading cases again before class—essentially increasing your workload. At worst, this leads to not following along well in class. If you complete your law school reading the night before class or the morning of, you will recall more and minimize the need to reread.”

Additionally, applying the same practice to your notes will be helpful. Heidemann recommends for students to condense and organize their notes right after class.

“The best time to condense and organize your class notes is shortly after class, ideally within the first few hours. You will recall the lecture much better if you make it a habit to take this step,” she writes.

PLAN YOUR DAY

Going into anything with a plan will ensure you’re more organized and productive with the task at hand.

“The first step in getting control over your time is to determine exactly how much of it you have. The best system I have found to do this starts with a simple printed or digital weekly calendar,” Kerriann Stout, of Above the Law, writes. “Once you have decided on a calendaring tool, input all of your classes and any other ‘non-negotiable’ things, such as doctor’s appointments, part-time jobs, or child care related activities, that happen at a fixed time each week.”

Planning your day or week ahead of time can help you prioritize your tasks at hand.

“Make a list of things you hope to accomplish and prioritize them,” Heidemann writes. “Then when you sit down to study, you will have a list of tasks to get through. You will be much less likely to procrastinate.”

Sources: National Jurist, Above The Law