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! Almost every 1L in the country will take some sort of legal research and writing class. Today, we're discussing the top ten LRW disasters we see again and again, so you can avoid them!

Many thanks to Thomson Reuters, the sponsor for this episode. You likely interact with their products every day when you're using useful tools such as WestLaw, TWEN, and Practical Law. Thomson Reuters brings you tools and insights to help you perform your best now and when you go pro as a practicing attorney. You can visit them at lawschool.westlaw.com. We appreciate their support!

In this episode we discuss:

• The top ten legal research and writing problems you're likely to face as a law student
• The importance of planning for the worst
• Why and how to back up your computer
• How to manage your LRW time effectively
• Why you should have a plan and a schedule for every LRW assignment
• How to be sure you're clear on what you're being asked to do for each LRW assignment
• Tools for outlining and organizing information
• The importance of citations and how to be sure you're doing them correctly
• Finding help when you need it

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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).

Thanks for listening! Good luck on your LRW assignments! And thanks again to Thomson Reuters for sponsoring this episode.

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• Legal Writing 101 Podcast (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-11-legal-writing-101/)
• Writing Effectively in Your Summer Legal Job (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-45-writing-effectively-summer-legal-job/)
• Approaching Your Legal Writing Assignment like a Jazz Solo (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/approaching-your-legal-writing-assignment-like-a-jazz-solo/)
• Four Legal Writing Tips from the Theater (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/four-legal-writing-tips-theatre/)
• The Link Between Legal Writing and Final Exams (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/link-legal-writing-final-exams/)
• Tips for Conquering Legal Writing (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-experts-share-tips-for-conquering-legal-writing/)
• Dos and Don'ts to for Using Sample Documents in Legal Writing (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/dos-donts-using-sample-documents-legal-writing/)
• From Objective to Persuasive Writing: The Law (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/10818-2/)
• From Objective to Persuasive Writing: The Facts (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/objective-to-persuasive-writing-part-two/)
• Trello (www.trello.com)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast. Today we're running through your mid-semester to-do list to ensure you're where you need to be before it's too late.

Mid-semester is the time when reality sets in for most law students. Whatever is going on - midterms, sniffles, boredom - it's time to focus on the end goal and get serious about preparation. Here's what you need to be doing, now.

In this episode we discuss:

• How you should handle the next 7-8 weeks
• The importance of deep work in the second half of the semester
• Setting up your study calendar
• Getting ready for finals
• Ways of tracking your time if you're not sure how it's slipping away
• Searching for a summer job as a 1L (you can start Dec. 1)
• Avoiding distractions and battling procrastination
• How to do a self check-in
• Where to go for help
• Stress management techniques and staying healthy
• How to manage your personal relationships, especially around the holidays and exams

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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).

Thanks for listening! Good luck the rest of the semester!

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• Having an October Freakout? Of Course You Are! (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/having-an-october-freakout-of-course-you-are/)
• The October Freakout (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/having-an-october-freakout-of-course-you-are/)
• Your Mid-Semester Reality Check (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-36/)
• How to Make a Useful Law School Outline (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-65-make-a-useful-law-school-outline/)
• Dealing With Self-Sabotaging Behavior in Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-63-dealing-self-sabotaging-behavior-law-school/)
• Fast, Healthy and Cheap Meals in Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/fast-healthy-and-cheap-eating-in-law-school/)
• Toggl (https://toggl.com/)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast. Today we're talking about how to have a successful law school internship or externship experience. For most law students, these jobs are their first experiences in the legal workplace (or maybe in any professional workplace). Be sure you're behaving like a responsible professional, and you'll set yourself up for success in any internship or externship!

In this episode we discuss:

• What's the difference between an internship and an externship?
• Different types of internships or externships, and how the expectations vary
• What should you do (and not do) in a legal workplace?
• How to be a professional
• What do people really expect of you?
• Practical tips for day-to-day scenarios (meetings, phone calls, email, etc.)
• How to get along with others in the workplace
• Defining your goals for this experience
• Traits you should develop to succeed as a lawyer

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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).

Thanks for listening! Good luck in your internships and externships!

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• How to Behave Like a Professional in the Legal Workplace Podcast (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-25-behave-like-professional-legal-workplace/)
• Tips for Legal Writing at Your Summer Job (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-for-legal-writing-at-your-summer-job/)
• Being a Professional in a Generation Gap Workplace (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/getting-an-offer-being-professional-in-a-generation-gap-workplace/)
• Writing Effectively in Your Summer Legal Job (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-45-writing-effectively-summer-legal-job/)
• How to End a Summer Internship on a Good Note (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/end-summer-internship-good-note/)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast. Today we're talking about making outlines and other study aids, which are important in helping you make sense of everything you're learning in law school. This episode is based on a question we got from a 1L listener, so don't be shy about reaching out with your own questions! Contact details are below.

In this episode we discuss:

• What is an outline and what is its purpose?
• Do you really have to make an outline, or are there other viable options?
• How should you start outlining?
• What materials you need to start outlining
• What you should include in your outline
• The importance of testing your outline
• How you can get help if you are having problems outlining
• Common outlining issues we see repeatedly
• How to handle cases in your study aids

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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).

Thanks for listening! Good luck with those outlines.

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• Using Supplements Effectively in Law School Podcast (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-18-using-supplements-effectively-law-school/)
• Avoiding Law School Exam Disasters Podcast (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-41-avoiding-law-school-exam-disasters/)
• Conquering Different Types of Law Exams Podcast (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-19-conquering-different-types-law-school-exams/)
• Study Strategies for Different Learning Styles in Law School Podcast (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-16-study-strategies-different-learning-styles-law-school/)
• Doing What Makes You Uncomfortable (http://barexamtoolbox.com/how-to-pass-the-bar-by-doing-what-makes-you-the-most-uncomfortable/)
• Law School Toolbox Tutoring (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Flashcards or Flowcharts: What's Best? (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/flashcards-or-flowcharts-whats-best/)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast. Today we're talking about grit - that quality that lets you get back up and carry on after you've been knocked down. And, every law student is probably going to get knocked down a time or two!

In this episode we discuss:

• Why is grit important in law school?
• The harsh realities of law school
• Why just being "smart" isn't enough any longer
• Situations where you will need grit in law school
• How will you handle the bumps in the road when they come? Do you have a plan?
• Alison and Lee share stories of needing grit in law school
• How mindfulness can be helpful in tough situations
• Whether grit can be cultivated
• Activities that can help build your "grit"
• The five characteristics of grit

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• Angela Lee Duckworth's Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverance - TED Talk (http://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance)
• The Places that Scare You (Pema Chodron on tonglen practice) (https://www.amazon.com/Places-that-Scare-You-Fearlessness/dp/1570629218)
• Parenting in Law School: Surviving Your 1L Year (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-kids-surviving-1l-year-raising-family/)
• Avoiding Disasters in Law School podcast (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-14-avoiding-disasters-law-school/)
• Maintaining Authenticity in the Legal Profession (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-5-maintaining-authenticity-legal-profession/)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we are talking about something lots of law students deal with - self-sabotaging behavior. If you start your day with the best of intentions, but get nothing done by the time it's over, tune in! You're definitely not alone.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why is this such an important topic in law school?
• What do we mean by self-sabotage?
• Common ways to self-sabotage as a law student
• How to balance life and law school
• Ways to fight procrastination
• What are you really responsible for in law school?
• How to create a study schedule and stick to it
• Other methods to create accountability and manage your time
• Do you need an accountability partner?
• How to spot self-sabotaging behavior in yourself and redirect it

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• Need to Get More Done in Law School? Try the Circles (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/08/tips-time-management-awesomeness-with-the-circles/)
• Do You Need a Sponsor to Stay Productive in Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/do-you-need-a-sponsor-to-stay-productive-in-law-school/)
• How to Calendar Your Way to Better Grades and More Free Time (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-calendar-your-way-to-better-grades-and-more-free-time/)
• How to Stick to Your Goals in Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-stick-to-your-goals-in-law-school/)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we are talking about the Socratic Method and law school classes more generally. If you're intimidated by class, tune in for tips on surviving (even if you're unprepared).

In this episode we discuss:

• What is the Socratic Method?
• Why do law professors use the Socratic Method?
• Why you shouldn't be afraid of law school class discussions
• The importance of doing your reading and being prepared for class
• What should you do if you didn't do the reading?
• What you can do to make class more bearable
• What you should and shouldn't be writing down in class
• How to avoid being called on

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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).

Thanks for listening! Good luck in class!

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• Do I Really Have to Read the Cases? http://lawschooltoolbox.com/1l-question-of-the-day-do-i-really-have-to-read-the-cases/
• Top 5 Mistakes Students Make When Prepping for Class (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/top-5-mistakes-students-make-preparing-for-class/)
• 5 Things to Include in Your Law School Class Notes (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-things-to-include-in-your-law-school-class-notes/)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about what 2Ls and 3Ls need to be thinking about as they get into the swing of the later years of law school. If you want to make the most of your final years of law school, stay tuned.

In this episode we discuss:

• How to figure out where you went wrong your first year of school
• Tips on how to raise your GPA
• The importance of getting feedback
• Should you be taking bar electives? Which ones? When?
• Do you know your graduation requirements?
• Understanding your career goals and how to work toward them in law school
• How to network in law school
• How much should you worry about the bar exam now?
• Setting yourself up for success in your legal career

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• How to Raise Your Grades as a 2L or 3L (podcast) (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-9-raise-grades-2l-3l/)
• How to Get a Judicial Clerkship (podcast) (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-44-how-to-get-a-judicial-clerkship/)
• Thinking Ahead to Get Ready for the Bar Exam (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-26-thinking-ahead-get-ready-bar-exam/)
• How to Raise Your Grades as a 2L (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/are-you-a-2l-and-wondering-how-you-can-get-better-grades-this-year/)
• Thinking Ahead: Don't Let the Bar Exam Catch You By Surprise http://barexamtoolbox.com/thinking-ahead-dont-let-bar-exam-catch-surprise/

Welcome back. Today, we're talking about 5 things to focus on academically in the first month of law school, to set yourself up for success later on. If you're just starting law school, this episode is for you!

In this episode we discuss:

• Why you should learn to read cases well in the beginning of law school
• The importance of keeping up with your reading
• Methods for avoiding distractions and paying attention in class
• Different methods of note taking
• Should you handwrite or type your class notes?
• Why it's important to take advantage of office hours
• Should you join a study group?
• Do you need an accountability partner?
• Evaluating your schedule and staying accountable
• How to take legal writing and research seriously without letting it take over your life

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• Mindset: The Key to Success in Law School? (podcast) http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-1-mindset-key-success-law-school/
• Are You Taking Good Law School Class Notes (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/taking-good-law-school-class-notes/)
• Is Handwriting Notes a Good Thing or Bad Thing (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/is-handwriting-notes-a-good-thing-or-a-bad-thing/)
• 5 Things to Include in Your Law School Class Notes http://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-things-to-include-in-your-law-school-class-notes/
• How to Stick to Your Goals in Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-stick-to-your-goals-in-law-school/)
• Do You Need a Sponsor to Stay Productive in Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/do-you-need-a-sponsor-to-stay-productive-in-law-school/)

Welcome back! Today we're talking about something that comes up for a lot of new and seasoned law students - being lonely or feeling isolated in law school.

Your law school campus is filled with people, so how could anyone feel lonely? You may be surprised that it's a common feeling in law school. These feelings can be problematic, because they can affect your happiness and productivity and can lead you down the path to more serious mental health issues.

In this episode we discuss:

• Lee and Alison talk about their own experiences with loneliness in law school
• Ways to handle the move to a new city
• Getting along with varied personalities in law school
• How to meet people if you are an introvert
• Strategies for finding a community outside of law school
• What can you do to feel less isolated and alone?
• How to stay connected to your support network
• Handling the inevitable ups and downs of law school
• The importance of getting help when you need it

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• How to Survive a Move to a New City for Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/survive-move-law-school/)
• Start Law School Right Course (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)