The Case for Study Guides

How to choose the right study guide for you:

Take stock of your strengths and weaknesses. Besides keeping up with the reading, you need to be self-aware. Think about where you need a helping hand. Common trouble areas for students include understanding the big picture, knowing the rule of black letter law, issue spotting, analysis of fact patterns, and application of the rules. Once you’ve made your self-assessment use those insights to arm yourself with the right tools to close the gap on what you need to know. There are a lot of different styles of study guides out there, so once you’ve decided what you want the extra help with, use this chart to determine which series might be best suited for your learning style. Some students like to experiment with multiple styles at the beginning of the year as well.

Figure out your study style:

Once you decide your study guide, you may want to experiment with your reading speed. Ensure you’re reading slow enough to capture concepts, but fast enough that you can actually complete all the readings prior to class. The professors often let us know they expect students to come to class prepared, having read all the material and created outlines, and ready to be called on and participate in class. Opting for the digital version of the legal study aids can help speed up your study process. You can quickly and efficiently create outlines with the outline accelerator, highlight key concepts, quickly create case briefs, and take notes directly within the content, ensuring you’re engaging with the material in a meaningful way – it’s all based on learning science. You’ll also save yourself time down the road by making outlines as you go throughout the semester, as reviewing your outlines is one of the most effective ways of preparing for law exams. 

Start now with 10 minutes a day using spaced repetition study method:

Often overlooked, now is the time to invest in a tool that can help you break your study time into small chunks, be accessible from anywhere and be served to you at just the right time in order for you to remember best. This is where digital flashcards like Emanuel Law in a Flash come into play. We’ve partnered with SpacedRepetition.com, which developed an algorithm based on the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, to deliver digital flashcards precisely when you need to review them. These digital cards incorporate important definitions, hypotheticals, and black letter law. Even better, they are written in a comical, witty tone and can help you retain up to 92% of the content in only 10 minutes a day. If you start now, you can bypass the cramming right before exams!

Want a clearer view of the big picture?

Even if you faithfully do the reading and listen to your professors’ lectures, there will be times when you’ll feel totally adrift in a sea of information that doesn’t make sense. This is when in-depth study aids rich in narrative can offer a life raft. Among the most popular and highly regarded is the Examples & Explanations series, which students find helpful from the first day of class through to finals. Definitions of key terms and a thorough review of pertinent rules and concepts help you focus on what you need to know. Examples of how to apply the law through hypotheticals in the form of questions are followed by detailed explanations and analysis, making it easier to comprehend complex material.

Need to master course material?

Professors and students agree that an outline is the most effective tool for studying. While it’s important that you build your own, many find that Emanuel Law Outlines covers topics, cases, and black letter law in a way that’s easy to digest, and can also help them learn how to create their own outlines more effectively. Throughout your course the essay Q&As make it easy to test your grasp of the material. Exam prep is covered, too: Capsule summaries are perfect for studying, while the exam tips alert you to issues and fact patterns often used on tests that trip up the unsuspecting.

Are you more of a visual learner?

If you find yourself struggling with any of your 1L material, check out PracticePerfect, an engaging, interactive study aid that explains commonly encountered legal doctrines through easy-to-understand animated videos, illustrative examples and numerous practice questions. PracticePerfect is designed to complement all major casebooks for each 1L course. Often listed as required material on professors' syllabi, it's also a valuable resource even if not officially assigned. Check out this sample video!