Among the many questions that cross your mind as you consider a career in the legal field is about the first step in the journey – what is law school like? How do you know if a legal career is for you without investing tens of thousands of dollars (if not hundreds of thousands!) going to law school?

Do you know how to get the most out of the ebooks you have on Casebook Connect? Use these tips to help you get ahead and track your progress throughout your law school career. 

As a law student, knowing how to write a case brief is an essential skill to develop. Case briefing plays a crucial role in building a course outline and serves as one of the most important study tools for law students. You’ll thank yourself for a good case brief when you go to study for finals! Understanding the importance of case briefs in law school is key. Your case briefs will serve as building blocks for your course outline and help you recall facts, understand key elements, and prepare effectively for class. In addition, case briefing and the Socratic Method work together to help students think like lawyers. To prepare law school case briefs, it is important to follow a case brief template and examples to ensure all essential elements are included.  Good case briefing tips for law students are to keep case briefs concise, with a one-page summary being ideal and make sure to include the title and citation, facts, issues, decision, reasoning, opinions, and analysis. Essential elements of a case brief include summarizing the complaint or indictment, any relevant rules within the law, areas in dispute, and framing issues as a series of questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no".

Is the number one thing on your mind this August how this semester will go? Among students there is already talk about how to set up study groups and using study aids to help analyze cases and better understand black letter law. Now is the time to set yourself up for law school success by taking proactive steps - give yourself an edge! This is especially relevant to 1Ls, as you’re stepping into a world where the first semester can significantly influence your class ranking, impacting your chances for competitive internships. Added to that, it’s all new because law school is probably unlike any other school you’ve done before! The first semester involves mastering the Socratic Method, grasping complex legal concepts and vocabulary, and managing an overwhelming amount of reading, often in a dense, unfamiliar style. It’s a major adjustment period. The pressure is real, but so is the support available to you. This is where law school study guides come in. They are invaluable tools to complement your textbooks and casebooks, making the material more accessible and manageable. Aspen has guided thousands of students through these challenges year after year. Our study guides are designed to help you by providing clarity and confidence as you make your way through law school. We know financial resources can be tight, but investing in study guides will yield significant benefits in the long run. You've already chosen to invest in yourself and your law school journey, so be sure to give yourself every opportunity to excel!

Are you preparing for law school but feeling overwhelmed by the challenges that lie ahead? The beginning of law school can be a bit daunting, and you're not alone in this feeling. At Aspen, we’ve been through this with thousands of students so we can help! There are many resources available to help you navigate this new and exciting chapter of your academic journey. Some common feedback we've received includes: it's unlike any school you've experienced before! You'll need to familiarize yourself with many new terms, engage in extensive case reading and briefing, and learn to write in a new legalese style. Additionally, the Socratic Method of teaching, which is new to most students, adds a unique aspect to the learning process. You’re probably also considering that your first year of law school is what could potentially determine your path in your law career. Coveting that big-firm internship? Surprise! They will make a hiring decision mainly based on who is at the top of their class during the 1L year… and most classes use a bell-curve grading system. It's true that your first year of law school is important, but don't let that intimidate you. With the right resources and a strong work ethic, you can excel in your classes and position yourself for success in your legal career. So don't be discouraged - you've got this, and we will help you every step along the way!

Embarking on the final leg of your law school journey is no small feat. Congratulations on navigating through countless case readings, briefings, and late-night study sessions.

Attention law students gearing up for finals season! Feeling the heat as exams approach? Fear not, Aspen is here with some expert tips to master your outlines so you can feel confident going into your finals.