The title is a bit misleading.

With just under three weeks until graduation and one take home to finish up tomorrow, I have concluded that there is no one formula to follow for succeeding in law school. My friends and I have each developed our own approaches for studying, preparing, and surviving in law school.

To be sure, there are several pieces of advice that are helpful. But how you make those work are very unique to each person. So for those who are preparing to begin the law school drudgery experience this fall, here are a few pieces of advice that I have found helpful or insightful over the last few years.

You’re not taking Civil Procedure; you’re taking “Civil Procedure from Goldman”

No matter how standardized your school tries to make the curriculum and method of teaching certain subjects, the content and method will vary from professor-to-professor. Focus on what your professor focuses on, learn to phrase things the way he or she phrases them, and fit any outside materials (e.g., commercial outlines) into your professor’s approach to teaching the course you’re in. Ultimately, your professor doesn’t care about the whole body of property law, for instance, he cares only about what he’s covered in the course and how he’s covered it.

Answer the damn question

This is most commonly given as bar exam advice. But I think it’s every bit as relevant for law school exams. When you write a law school exam, make a clear outline that follows a clear analytic path (e.g., IRAC) but make sure when you read back over it that you have answered the question. It’s true that this isn’t as big in law school as on the bar exam, but to the extent that you think law school should prepare you for the bar and for practicing, get in the habit of doing things that way. Get your encyclopedia of knowledge out to show you know the content, make sure it’s organized and that it leads to a conclusion that answers the question… even if your answer “it depends.” (as it often will be)

Do the reading & Go to class

These are self-explanatory. You are tested on the content. Read it. The class discussion can help you understand the content. Go to class. Whatever else you do in preparation, do these two things.

Outlining vs. Commercial Outlines vs. Hornbooks vs. Flash Cards vs….

I am a big proponent of outlining. But find what works best for you. You might need to ask around, ask professors, and ask whatever study prep your school offers for 1Ls. I have friends that have used other methods exclusively and some use a combination. You need to figure out what works best for you. In the few classes I didn’t outline for, I didn’t do as well. Even if you use a commercial outline or hornbook to supplement your notes and reading, the process of outlining your notes will help narrow the issues and focus your attention on how concepts fit together. If you choose another method, just be cautious that your study aids are discussing and reviewing the content you have actually covered in your course.

Study Group vs. Lone Wolf

I started as a study group guy. This was really great for my first year. But I realized that over time each of us learned what method and pace was best for us. No matter how close you are to members of your study group (and we are quite close still), sometimes it doesn’t make the most sense for you to study together each semester or for each class. There are competing schedules and competing learning styles. Whatever approach you decide to take, be clear about what you need to accomplish to be prepared for exams and what role each approach offers for helping you accomplish your goals. Going the lone wolf route will ensure that you study at your own pace and get done what you need to get done. Working with a group provides the benefit of community, accountability, and shared expertise — you can work through hypos together, compare notes, work old exams, etc.

I couldn’t let this day go by without posting.

Tonight, I have my last substantive class in law school. Next week, two classes meet, but both will be review sessions.

So, at 7:35 p.m. tonight, I will be done with law school classes. All that’s left is a few exams.

“Lately it occurs to me, What a long, strange trip it’s been.”