The Law School Toolbox Podcast: Tools for Law Students from 1L to the Bar Exam, and Beyond

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about resolutions we suggest for the new year and new semester.

In this episode we discuss:

• Being organized, and why multitasking is a trap
• Finding the tools to make your life work better
• The importance of self-care, especially during stressful seasons
• How to set yourself up for success by learning from your past mistakes
• Why now is the time to start thinking about summer jobs and bar prep
• Getting your finances squared away so you can stress less now and in the future

Resources:

• Second Semester Reboot Camp (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/join-second-semester-reboot-law-school-camp/)
• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Bar Exam Toolbox: Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/)
• Self-Care: Staying Human in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/cultivating-mindset-success-law-school/staying-human-in-law-school/)
• How to Maximize Your Sleep (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-maximize-your-sleep/)
• How to Use Technology in Your Law School Study Group (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-use-technology-in-your-law-school-study-group/)
• Getting a Jump Start on the Summer Job Search (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/getting-a-jump-start-on-the-summer-job-search-part-ii/)
• Podcast Episode 177: Real Talk About Student Loan Debt with Travis Hornsby (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-177-real-talk-about-student-loan-debt-w-financial-expert-travis-hornsby/)
• Podcast Episode 2: Accommodations for the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-2-accommodations-for-the-bar-exam-w-dr-jared-maloff/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Episode-178-New-Years-and-Semesters-Resolutions-3.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Travis Hornsby, founder and CEO of Student Loan Planner, about everyone's least favorite topic, law school debt.

In this episode we discuss:

• What people should be thinking about regarding debt before starting law school
• What programs are available to make your debt work for your life
• The truth about Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Debt strategies for public interest lawyers and those in BigLaw
• Why putting your head in the sand about your debt is the worst possible choice
• The money mistakes even smart attorneys are making, and how to avoid them

Resources:

• Student Loan Planner (https://www.studentloanplanner.com/)
• Law School Transparency (https://www.lawschooltransparency.com/)
• Podcast Episode 38: Can You Really Afford Law School? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-38-can-you-really-afford-law-school/)
• Podcast Episode 96: How to Rapidly Pay Off Law School Debt (w/Guest Financial Panther) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-96-how-to-rapidly-pay-off-law-school-debt-with-guest-financial-panther/)
• Law School Myth: Lawyers Make a Lot of Money (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/09/law-school-myth-1-lawyers-make-a-lot-of-money/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-177-student-loan-debt-w-expert-travis-hornsby/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

One final note: we will be taking two weeks off the podcast for the holidays. Look for our next new episode on January 7th. We wish you all a restful and happy holiday season!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Kelsey Russell, a writer for the Law School Toolbox and a recent federal judicial clerk, about clerkships.

In this episode we discuss:

• The day-to-day experiences of a law clerk
• Who should clerk?
• When should you clerk?
• What will you learn?
• The intangible benefits of clerking
• The future of the clerkship hiring plan
• Tips for clerkship applications and interviews

Resources:

• Podcast Episode 44: How to Get a Judicial Clerkship (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-44-how-to-get-a-judicial-clerkship/)
• What is it Really Like to be a Judicial Clerk? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/what-is-it-really-like-to-be-a-judicial-clerk/)
• Expand Your Options: An Exploration of the Different Types of Federal and State Clerkship Options (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/expand-your-options-an-exploration-of-the-different-types-of-federal-clerkship-and-state-clerkship-options/)
• CareerDicta: Career Help for Lawyers and Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/career-help/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-176-talking-judicial-clerkships-with-kelsey-russell/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, with us to discuss the most common questions we get about job interviewing as a law student.

In this episode we discuss:

• The research you must do before any job interview and how to use it
• What to wear
• What to bring (and what not to bring)
• Special considerations for the virtual interview
• How to deal with the awkward interviewer
• Thank you notes – yes or no?
• How to get help if you struggle with interviewing

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• The Art of the Legal Job Interview (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-art-of-the-legal-job-interview/)
• Podcast Episode 173: FAQ's about Resumes and Cover Letters (w/ Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-173-frequently-asked-questions-about-resumes-and-cover-letters-w-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 120: Preparing for the 1L Job Hunt (w/ Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-120-preparing-1l-job-hunt-ex-biglaw-recruiter-sadie-jones/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-175-top-interview-questions-with-sadie-jones/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Nathan Fox, LSAT expert and founder of Fox LSAT, about some changes coming soon to the LSAT.

In this episode we discuss:

• The upcoming changes to the LSAT in July and September of 2019
• Why you should basically never cancel your LSAT score
• The economics of taking the LSAT
• What the changes mean for students studying for the LSAT right now
• Why every point in your LSAT score really matters
• Smart digital tools for LSAT prep

Resources:

• Fox LSAT (https://www.foxlsat.com/)
• LSAC (https://www.lsac.org/)
• Thinking LSAT Podcast (http://www.thinkinglsat.com/blog/)
• LSAT Demon (https://www.lsatdemon.com/demon)
• Podcast Episode 97: The Future of the LSAT (with Nathan Fox) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-97-future-of-lsat-nathan-fox/)
• Podcast Episode 46: 4 Myths about the LSAT from Expert Nathan Fox (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-46-4-myths-about-the-lsat-from-expert-nathan-fox/)
• Don't Go to Law School Just Because You're Good at the LSAT (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/07/dont-go-to-law-school-just-because-youre-good-at-the-lsat/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-174-lsat-updates-w-nathan-fox/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have ex-recruiter Sadie Jones with us to answer the most common questions we've been getting about resumes and cover letters.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why you should almost always stick to a one-page resume
• How and why it's important to insert some personality into your resume
• What work experiences to include and which ones you can leave off your resume
• How to get help improving your resume
• What goes in a cover letter, and why you really DO have to write one
• Where and how to address resume gaps, bad grades, and other common hiccups

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta)
• Resume and Cover Letter Basics (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-12-resume-cover-letter-basics/)
• Resumes and Cover Letters with an Ex-Biglaw Recruiter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-111-resumes-cover-letters-ex-biglaw-recruiter/)
• Avoid these Resume No-Gos (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-127-avoid-resume-no-gos/)

Download Episode Transcript: https://lawschooltoolbox.com/lst-ep-173-faqs-about-resumes-and-cover-letters-w-sadie-jones/

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about some typical exam prep scenarios that you might find yourself tackling, so tune in and learn how to handle these common situations.

In this episode we discuss:

• Common scenarios that law students face while preparing for exams
• What to do if you haven't started preparing for exams (Don't panic! It's never too late!)
• Where to find the resources you need to prepare for exams
• How leaning in to what you are least comfortable with can help you succeed
• Why being confident is good, but being overconfident can be a trap
• How to handle balancing exam prep with family and friends
• Strategies and help for the all-too-common exam anxiety that strikes law students

Resources:

• Law School Toolbox Tutoring (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Past California Bar Questions (http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination/Past-Exams)
• Conquering Different Types of Law School Exams (Podcast) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-19-conquering-different-types-law-school-exams/)
• Calm Meditation App (https://www.calm.com/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/LST-Ep-172-Tackling-Common-Exam-Prep-Scenarios.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're excited to be talking with Vikram Savkar, vice president and general manager of the education and training business for Wolters Kluwer Legal and Regulatory US, one of the largest publishers of legal casebooks, supplements, and other law related materials in the world, about how law school casebooks are changing in the digital era.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How legal casebooks have evolved over the last several years and some of the key features that digital casebooks have introduced to law school learning
• What is the "Google Generation" and how are they learning differently than students did just 10 years ago?
• Given how much everyone is on their devices these days and how "distracted" folks already are, are digital casebooks really a good idea?
• What about reading comprehension – is reading on paper better for comprehension and retention?
• The newest features of Connected Casebook (Wolters Kluwer's digital casebook platform) and what the future of law school learning looks like

RESOURCES:

• Teaching the Google Generation (https://thenextweb.com/contributors/2017/07/26/teaching-google-generation/)
• Casebook Connect (https://www.casebookconnect.com)
• How to Outline with Help From Supplements (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/outline-help-supplements/)
• How to Use Technology in Your Law School Study Group (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-use-technology-in-your-law-school-study-group/)
• How Visual Learning Tools Can Help You in Law School: An Interview with Sketchy Law (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-visual-learning-tools-can-help-you-in-law-school-an-interview-with-sketchylaw/)
• Examples and Explanations (https://www.wklegaledu.com/study-aids/examples-explanations)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/LST-Ep-171-Building-21st-Century-Casebook.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about the Bluebook. You might be wondering, can there actually be an entire episode on this podcast just about the Bluebook? Oh, yes, there can be.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What the Bluebook is and why proper citations matter
• How to cite a case – we walk through a case citation and talk about all the rules that are triggered
• Why you don't want to leave points on the table in your legal writing citation work
• Ways to get organized so that figuring out the right way to cite sources is faster and easier
• Why it is absolutely necessary to set aside time for figuring out all your citations and then more time for proofreading just citations
• Beware the short cites – in particular when re-arranging sections in your brief or memo

RESOURCES:

• Why Citations are Important and Should Not be Ignored (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/why-citations-are-important-and-should-not-be-ignored/)
• Buying the Bluebook: Spiral-Bound or Online? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/buying-the-bluebook-spiral-bound-or-online/)
• What Signals are Your Signals Sending? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/what-signals-are-your-signals-sending/)
• The Anatomy of a Case Citation (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-anatomy-of-a-case-citation/)
• Warby Parker (https://www.warbyparker.com/lawschooltoolbox)
• Bluebook Oddities: 10 Unlikely Citations (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/bluebook-oddities-10-unlikely-citations/)
• How to Get Answers from the Bluebook (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-answers-bluebook/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LST-Ep-170-Lets-Talk-About-the-Bluebook.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about setting your priorities in law school when you're overwhelmed by your to-do list. This is the time in the semester when things get really busy and overwhelming, so tune in to find out how to tame your to-do list and get the most important stuff done.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The two biggest mistakes law students make – prioritizing the urgent over the important and neglecting self-care
• What the difference is between urgent and important tasks on your to-do list and how to prioritize them (HINT: ROI – return on investment)
• Three don'ts – don't skip class; don't over-prioritize certain tasks; and don't forget self-care
• Why it's ok to leave something on the table; you might not finish 100% of your reading or brief every case, and that's okay
• Self-care – make sure you're sleeping, eating well, spending some time with loved ones outside of law school, and exercising

RESOURCES:

• Podcast Episode 88: Self-Care Tips for Keeping Your Mojo in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-88-self-care-tips-for-keeping-your-mojo-in-law-school/)
• Save Time by Book Briefing Your Cases (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/save-time-by-book-briefing-your-cases/)
• Podcast Episode 12: Resume and Cover Letter Basics (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-12-resume-cover-letter-basics/)
• Podcast Episode 167: Do You Have to Join a Study Group in Law School? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-167-do-you-have-to-join-a-study-group-in-law-school/)
• Six Ways to Make Time to Exercise in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/6-ways-make-time-exercise-law-school/)
• HuffPost: Sacrificing Sleep for Study Time Doesn't Make the Grade (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/students-sleep_b_1862002)
• Parenting in Law School: Surviving Your 1L Year While Raising a Family (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-kids-surviving-1l-year-raising-family/)
• How to Organize Your To Do List in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-organize-your-to-do-list-in-law-school/)
• Ahead of the Curve: Time Management – The Value of Valuable Work Throughout the Semester (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/ahead-of-the-curve-time-management-the-value-of-valuable-work-throughout-the-semester/)
• Podcast Episode 20: The Exam Countdown – One Month and Counting! (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-20-exam-countdown-one-month-counting/)
• Five Techniques for Using Deep Work to Excel in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/five-techniques-for-using-deep-work-to-excel-in-law-school/)
• NALP – National Association of Legal Professionals, Inc. (https://www.nalp.org)
• You are What You Eat! Eating Well in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/you-are-what-you-eat-eating-well-in-law-school/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LST-Ep-169-Setting-Priorities-in-Law-School.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee