• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Law School Toolbox®

All the tools you need for law school success

  • Tutoring
  • Courses
    • Start Law School Right
  • Job Help
  • Law School 101
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • About

What Do I Do With Supplements?

October 7, 2013 By Lee Burgess Leave a Comment

supplementEarlier in the semester, we talked about waiting to buy supplements (which can end up saving you a bit of very important dinero). However, now is the time (about halfway through the semester) to pick your supplements and begin using them! (Not sure which supplements to purchase? Stay tuned, we will soon share some of our favorites on the blog.) Note: I use the term “supplement” to cover commercial supplements, hornbooks, and commercial outlines. 

So let’s say you have picked your supplements for each of your classes. Perhaps you got recommendations from upperclassmen, chatted with your professors, or tried out a few in the library.

Now the question becomes what do you do with supplements. Here are some scenarios where supplements can be really helpful.

  • I have no idea what the professor was talking about in class last week. We have all gone to class, listened diligently, taken quality class notes, and yet still have no idea what the professor was talking about. Does this sound familiar to you? It might, especially if you are in your 1L year. So what do you do? Just stay confused? No! A good supplement can almost be another lecture on the law that was covered in your class. Sometimes, hearing the law presented in a slightly different way can help you understand it. Note: Remember, you must use the terminology and law presented to you in class by your professor on your final exams. Therefore, when used for this purpose, the supplement should be read after class.
  • I have no idea how all these topics fit together for a specific subject. It is possible that you just don’t fully understand what the heck is going on with contracts, for example. Your professor spends a lot of time discussing the details, but you could really use an overview. This is something else supplements can be good for. They can give you a high-level discussion of a given subject to help with your overall conceptual understanding.
  • My professor doesn’t want to teach us the law, he/she expects us to learn it ourselves. Sometimes, professors expect you to learn the law on your own outside of class. So what do you do? A supplement can give you an overview/understanding of the black letter law so you are prepared for class and able to follow class discussion. In this case, it may make sense to read the supplement before class, rather than after class (or even both!).
  • I need help practicing my legal analysis. Students often complain that they want more opportunities to practice legal analysis. Supplements can provide this for you. Different supplements have different amounts of practice questions (examples and explanations are some of our favorites). When selecting the right supplement for you, make sure you think through whether you would like to have additional hypos or practice questions to work with.
  • My outline is a mess and I need help understanding black letter law. Supplements are also really helpful when you are outlining. Depending on your class, a good commercial outline or hornbook will help you organize and condense the law into manageable pieces. We recommend that you have at least one supplement with you when you sit down to outline.

Remember though, supplements shouldn’t be used to eliminate reading for class. They should be used in addition to your class materials, to help you master the subject, write a quality outline, and learn the law so you can impress your professor on exam day.

–

Want more? Sign up for our free mailing list today.

Here are some other helpful posts:

  • Save Yourself a Few Bucks – Buying Law School Supplements
  • What Most Law Students Forget to Do: Think About the Material
  • Are You a 2L and Wondering How You Can Get Better Grades This Year?
  • What’s the Right Mindset for Studying?

Image by tchor1974 via stock.xchng.


 

Looking for some help to do your best in law school? Find out about our law school tutoring options.


About Lee Burgess

Lee Burgess, Esq. is the co-founder of the Law School Toolbox, a resource for law students that demystifies the law school experience and the Bar Exam Toolbox, a resource for students getting ready for the bar exam. Lee has been adjunct faculty at two bay area law schools teaching classes on law school and bar exam preparation. You can find Lee on Twitter at @leefburgess, @lawschooltools, & @barexamtools.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Podcast
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Us

If you find law school tough, you are not alone! The Law School Toolbox team is here to help you through it. Check out our helpful free content, podcasts, courses and one-on-one tutoring. Thanks for stopping by and drop us a line if you have any questions. We also invite you to join our weekly mailing list, for advice right to your inbox.

Recent Posts

What’s on My Law School Bucket List

What’s on My Law School Bucket List

I can hardly believe it, but my first year of law school is coming to a close. With the end of 1L, I’ve been reflecting on both how far I’ve come and … Read More about What’s on My Law School Bucket List

Podcast Microphone

Podcast Episode 392: Listen and Learn — Recording Statutes (Real Property)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're talking about the purpose of recording … Read More about Podcast Episode 392: Listen and Learn — Recording Statutes (Real Property)

7 Ways to Be a Great Intern

7 Ways to Be a Great Intern

Once you land a great internship, your job is not done. You have to be a great intern. Being an intern is hard, but simple things can make you a … Read More about 7 Ways to Be a Great Intern

Podcast Microphone

Podcast Episode 391: How to Show Up as a Summer Associate (w/Sadie Jones)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones on the podcast to talk about the expectations that law … Read More about Podcast Episode 391: How to Show Up as a Summer Associate (w/Sadie Jones)

Ten Tips to Prepare for Success in Your Oral Argument Assignment

Ten Tips to Prepare for Success in Your Oral Argument Assignment

If you’re someone like me who cringes at the thought of public speaking and debating, doing an oral argument for your legal writing class or moot … Read More about Ten Tips to Prepare for Success in Your Oral Argument Assignment

Want Better Law School Grades?

Sign Up for Our Exam Tips!

Footer

  • Podcast
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Tutoring
  • Courses
  • Job Help
  • About
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Refunds

Copyright 2023 Law School Toolbox®™