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 handling toxicity in law school – whether it's bad behavior from your classmates or overbearing expectations from other people, including your parents, professors, friends, or even yourself.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Common sources of toxic behavior in law school – your parents, professors, classmates, and sometimes your friends
• Consequences of too much toxicity – burn out, depression, and even substance abuse
• How to handle the toxic behavior and its consequences and some possible resources to help you
• Why one of the biggest sources of toxicity can be your own self-sabotaging behavior. We talk about how to identify it and give you some tips to deal with it.

RESOURCES:

• Podcast Episode 1: Mindset - The Key to Success in Law School? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-1-mindset-key-success-law-school/)
• For Parents: Helping Your Law Student Get off to the Right Start (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/for-parents-helping-your-law-student-get-off-to-the-right-start/)
• Podcast Episode 123: Mental Health in Law School and the Legal Profession (with Sarah Weinstein) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-123-mental-health-law-school-legal-profession-sarah-weinstein/)
• Let's Talk about Sleep (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/lets-talk-about-sleep/)
• Five Myths about the Law School Study Group (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/five-myths-about-the-law-school-study-group/)
• Podcast Episode 63: Dealing with Self-Sabotaging Behavior in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-63-dealing-self-sabotaging-behavior-law-school/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/LST-Ep-148-Toxicity-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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about the top mistakes summer associates make -- so you can avoid making them, or fix them if you happen to make them.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Some of the common mistakes summer associates make -- so you can avoid making them!
• How to recover if you do make one of these common summer associate mistakes
• The best mindset to avoid making mistakes
• How a law firm mentor can help you navigate these issues and avoid making mistakes
• How to handle a negative mid-summer review or other feedback and how to turn it around -- it is possible!

Resources:

• Professionalism in the Legal Workplace (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/professionalism-in-the-legal-workplace/)
• Podcast Episode 25: How to Behave Like a Professional in the Legal Workplace (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-25-behave-like-professional-legal-workplace/)
• What to Wear to Professional Legal Events (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/what-to-wear-to-professional-legal-events-2/)
• Podcast Episode 143: Understanding Work Assignments (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-143-understanding-work-assignments-w-sadie-jones/)
• CareerDicta Career Coaching (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/career-help/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/LST-Ep-147-Summer-Associate-Mistakes-w-Sadie.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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're back for the last episode in our series on different learning styles to talk about study tips for visual learners in law school.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is a visual learner and how do you know if you are one?
• Specific visual learning techniques and tools anyone can use to study more effectively
• Why a study group may NOT be the best use of your time
• Things to avoid for visual learners

RESOURCES:

• Learning Style Quiz (https://www.thoughtco.com/learning-style-quiz-4076781)
• 5 Study Tips for Visual Learners (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-study-tips-for-visual-learners/)
• Podcast Episode 144: Tips for Auditory Learners (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-144-tips-for-auditory-learners/)
• Podcast Episode 145: Tips for Kinesthetic Learners (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-145-tips-for-kinesthetic-learners/)
• Tips and Resources for Visual Learners (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-resources-for-visual-learners/)
• How Visual Learning Tools Can Help You in Law School: An Interview with SketchyLaw (
• https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-visual-learning-tools-can-help-you-in-law-school-an-interview-with-sketchylaw/)
• Can Visual Learning Help You Prepare for Exams? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/can-visual-learning-help-prepare-exams/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/LST-Ep-146-Tips-for-Visual-Learners.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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This week, we're continuing our series on strategies for different learning styles, with tips for kinesthetic learners. Even if this isn't your preferred learning style, there's lots of advice you can use to mix things up a bit and make your studying even more effective!

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is a kinesthetic learner and how do you know if you are one?
• Why there is no one-size-fits-all method for learning different material
• Several techniques anyone can try – including some things that may surprise you!
• Ways to stay focused in class, if you tend to zone out
• The reality that some things you've been told your entire academic career NOT to do may actually work for you
• Things to avoid for kinesthetic learners

RESOURCES:

• Learning Style Quiz (https://www.thoughtco.com/learning-style-quiz-4076781)
• Podcast Episode 16: Study Strategies for Different Study Styles in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-16-study-strategies-different-learning-styles-law-school/)
• Flashcards or Flowcharts: What's Best? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/flashcards-or-flowcharts-whats-best/)
• How to Move from Outline to Exam Answer (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-move-from-outline-to-exam-answer/)
• 5 Study Tips for Kinesthetic Learners (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-study-tips-for-kinesthetic-learners/)
• Active vs. Passive Learning in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/active-vs-passive-learning-law-school/)
• More Reasons to Handwrite Law School Class Notes (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/more-reasons-to-handwrite-law-school-class-notes/)
• Keeping Kinesthetic-Tactile Students on Target (http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/academic_support/2007/02/keeping_kinesth.html)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/LST-EP-145-Tips-for-Kinesthetic-Learners.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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! For the next three episodes, we're talking about different approaches to law school learning, starting with strategies for auditory learners. There are different ways to study using each of the learning styles we'll discuss over the next three episodes of the podcast, so you can try different things and see how to study most effectively for your exams.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is an auditory learner and how do you know if you are one?
• Active learning versus passive learning and why auditory learners still need to practice writing exams
• Memorization strategies that work for everyone, but especially auditory learners
• Things to avoid for auditory learners
• Auditory learning techniques anyone can use to increase their study effectiveness

RESOURCES:

• 5 Study Tips for Auditory Learners (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-study-tips-for-auditory-learners/)
• 5 Study Tips for Visual Learners (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-study-tips-for-visual-learners/)
• 5 Study Tips for Kinesthetic Learners (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-study-tips-for-kinesthetic-learners/)
• Learning Style Quiz (https://www.thoughtco.com/learning-style-quiz-4076781)
• Podcast Episode 30: Visual Learning for Law Students (w/Kipp Mueller of SketchyLaw) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-30-visual-learning-law-students-guest-kipp-mueller/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LST-Ep-144-Tips-for-Auditory-Learners.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts 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. If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox.

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about how to make sure you're getting the information you need to do a good job on any assignment in a legal workplace.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What to do when you get called into a meeting to discuss a new assignment
• What NOT to do when you get called into a meeting to discuss a new assignment
• Common ways things can go wrong on an assignment
• Why you need to be really careful with legal research tools
• How to get more information without looking like you weren't paying attention or have no idea what you're doing (even if you don't!)

RESOURCES:

• Four Tips for Summer Law Job Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/four-tips-for-summer-law-job-success/)
• Are You Emotionally Intelligent? 5 Soft Skills to Show off in Your Summer Law Job (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/are-you-emotionally-intelligent-5-soft-skills-to-show-off-in-your-summer-law-job/)
• Podcast Episode 124: Don't Be a Jerk at Work (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-124-dont-be-a-jerk-at-work/)
• Fashionably Lawyered: How to Dress for a Law Interview or Internship on a Budget (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/fashionably-lawyered-how-to-dress-for-a-law-interview-or-internship-on-a-budget/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LST-Ep-143-Understanding-Work-Assignments-w-Sadie-Jones.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts 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. If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox.

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Whittney Beard, an ex-lawyer and career coach at Orrick, about how to really own and direct your career, even as a young lawyer.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What exactly a career coach does and why they are valuable
• Common mistakes many young/inexperienced lawyers make
• The truth about getting the assignments you want
• Concrete steps you can take if you're unhappy in your career or working with some difficult personalities
• What to do when you think you're ready to move on

RESOURCES:

• Career Dicta Career Help (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/career-help/)
• Do You Have the Right Mindset for Your Legal Career? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/do-you-have-the-right-mindset-for-your-legal-career/)
• Podcast Episode 137: How to Handle Difficult Workplace Situations (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-137-how-to-handle-difficult-workplace-situations/)
• Can a Monthly Lunch Date Further Your Career? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/can-a-monthly-lunch-date-further-your-career/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LST-Ep-142-Owning-Your-Career-Whittney-Beard.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts 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. If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox.

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Law School Toolbox tutor Allison Pincus about experiential learning opportunities in law school and why you should make sure you're engaging in some of them.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What experiential learning is and why the ABA is requiring more of it
• Why it is so important to engage in experiential learning opportunities as a law student
• What the best experiential learning opportunities are
• How to ensure you get to have the experience you want
• How to balance experiential learning and your regular class load
• Our experiences with experimental learning

RESOURCES:

• ABA Standards of Legal Education (https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/publications/misc/legal_education/Standards/2014_2015_aba_standards_chapter3.authcheckdam.pdf)
• Tips for Applying to Internships and Externships (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-applying-internships-externships/)
• Podcast Episode 66: Tips for a Successful Law School Internship or Externship (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-66-tips-successful-law-school-internship-externship/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Episode-141-Experiential-Learning-in-Law-School-wAllison-Pincus.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts 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. If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox.

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about OCI strategy. If you're not sure how or where to bid, what to put on your resume, or how to explain tricky parts of your background, this is the episode for you!

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the OCI process really works, from the firm perspective
• How important are grades, really?
• Ways to handle bidding on multiple locations
• Some common mistakes and the best strategies to avoid them
• Quick tips to ensure your resume is not overlooked
• How to get interviews if you weren't initially selected
• Ways to organize all of your OCI materials, so you remember which firm you're talking to!

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Trello (https://trello.com/home)
• Podcast Episode 105: OCI Basics with an Ex-BigLaw Recruiter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-105-oci-basics-ex-biglaw-recruiter/)
• Podcast Episode 111: Resumes and Cover Letters (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-111-resumes-cover-letters-ex-biglaw-recruiter/)
• Podcast Episode 127: Avoid These Resume No-Gos (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-127-avoid-resume-no-gos/)
• Podcast Episode 132: What's BigLaw Really Like? (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-132-whats-biglaw-really-like-w-sadie-jones/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Episode-140-OCI-Strategy-w-Sadie-Jones.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox.

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're doing a live issue spotting exercise on a real exam question, to show you how to use the facts to identify legal issues. This is exactly what you need to do on exam day, so tune in!

In this episode, we discuss:

• A real California bar exam question and the issues it contains
• Why you need to learn how to carefully read fact patterns
• How to analyze a question and make legal and factual distinctions on exam day
• The importance of following the call of the question
• Why the number one piece of advice of the Law School Toolbox continues to be - PRACTICE

Resources:

• California Bar Exam Past Exam Questions (http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination/Past-Exams)
• February 2008 California Bar Exam Question (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/6._Feb2008CriminalLAW.pdf)
• Brainy Bar Bank California (https://barexamtoolbox.com/brainy-bar-bank-california-bar-exam/)
• Brainy Bar Bank MEE/MPT (https://barexamtoolbox.com/brainy-bar-bank-ube-mee-mpt/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Episode-139-How-To-Issue-Spot-An-Exam-Question.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website . If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox.

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee