How should I approach law school classes?

Law school courses and content are one of the biggest challenges for law students of all years. It is common for a lot of students to get grades that are lower than what they are used to. The competitive nature of law school also means that many law students don't want to share when they get a low grade or are struggling with a class. While grades are important, getting a bad mark doesn't mean you won't get a job. Don't panic, talk to your prof, reevaluate the way you studied, and use it as motivation to do better next time.

What are some studying strategies?

Read strategically. Sometimes the relevant part of a case is only a paragraph, or even a sentence. Check the class topic on the syllabus, and utilize the term search function on CanLii or Westlaw. You'll save yourself a ton of time! 

Take good notes. This will help keep the course content organized in your mind, and easier to understand when you review. Colour coding your notes also helps break them up into more manageable chunks when you start studying. 

Take your time going through lectures if they are recorded.
If you don't understand a concept, rewind and listen until it mostly makes sense. Trust us, you'll be happy you took the time when exam season rolls around.

What are some exam prep strategies?

Create your own class outlines. This helps you review, make connections between concepts, and have a concise set of notes for the exam.

Read the most important cases again (or for the 1st time!). The main cases in the course are usually great for summarizing the major legal concepts in a clear way, and can help you review quickly.

Give yourself enough time to study. Factor in the time it will take to study for multiple exams and write papers. Remember, both will take significantly longer to do than in undergrad.