15. Exams and Revision

Exams are the most common form of assessment in UK law schools, and the student will almost inevitably sit quite a few of them during their legal studies. A successful law student wants their success reflected in their results — and exams will make up a big part of those results. By understanding the format of exams, knowing how best to prepare for them, and thinking about effective approaches to them, the student can approach exams calmly and be in the best possible position to achieve the results they feel that they deserve. This chapter looks at all these things, with hints and tips on things to do and things to avoid in revision, preparation, and exam.

10. Thinking Like a Lawyer: Critical Thinking and Legal Analysis

The successful law student needs to be able to place the law in context, analyse its effects on different parts of society, apply these rules to different problems, and reflect upon the suitability of both individual laws and the law as an institution. This ability to think critically and undertake broad and deep legal analysis is important to becoming a lawyer, but is also valuable for any other career. This chapter explores the importance of critical thinking to the law degree and beyond, and looks at how the student can bring analysis and criticism into their work. It considers techniques for problem solving and essay writing, and the importance of constructing arguments balancing ‘content’ and ‘thought’.

6. Studying law: Developing (Legal) Skills

This chapter discusses the general skills for employment that the student will develop while studying law. It will also focus on some of the more specific ‘legal’ skills they will acquire. General skills are true transferable skills. This means that they are applicable in most, if not all, spheres of employment. These include collaboration/teamwork, problem solving, researching (hardcopy and digital) and referencing, decision making, time management, project management; and oral, written and digital communication. Subject-specific skills are the employability skills that are relevant to specific types of employment or academic subjects. These include advocacy, negotiation skills, client interviewing, letter writing, and legal research.

4. Starting out at law school

Starting legal studies is an exciting time. However, the student might also feel a bit apprehensive about commencing a new and challenging programme of study, joining a new institution, approaching new ways of working, facing new expectations, and meeting new people. Whether they are moving away from home for the first time, changing degree courses or changing their career, some nerves and concerns are completely natural. This chapter looks at both the transition to university and an introduction to the law school itself. It explores some of the different challenges that may be faced and provides strategies to meet those challenges. It also explains a bit more about the law school and the early days to help the student to settle in as quickly as possible.

16. Study abroad

Most universities will offer the opportunity to spend some time studying abroad during the course of a law programme. Spending time studying abroad can be an inspiring and valuable experience. It can enhance the study skills, social skills, and employability, as well as offering the chance to experience a new place and culture and just do something a little bit different. But studying abroad also brings challenges. This chapter looks at different ways in which the student can experience study abroad, and the benefits that commonly accrue from the experience. It also considers some of the downsides to help the student to weigh up their options properly, and to ensure that they are fully prepared for both their time abroad, and their return home.

9. Teaching in Law—Seminars, Lectures and More

Every law programme will make use of a range of different teaching opportunities, with differing aims and approaches — all designed to help the student to learn. This chapter looks at the different classes the student may come across during their legal studies, particularly lectures, tutorials, and seminars, and how to get the best out of them. Although many law schools take a largely traditional approach to teaching and learning, they may come across different approaches, such as problem-based learning, peer learning, or clinical legal education. These may be found within individual modules or across the whole curriculum, and embedded in the teaching structure or just used to enhance a more traditional approach.

8. Learning in law—Reading, Research and More

While a good part of legal education will take place in classrooms and lecture theatres, successful learning in law also relies to a great extent on individual, autonomous study: reading, research, thinking, and reflecting. Learning law is about much more than what and how law is taught. This chapter looks at the crucial role of the student in the learning process, and how they may be able to enhance their learning in law by understanding learning strengths and working with them. It also focuses on effective reading, research, note making, and reflection — how to make best use of time and the materials available.

7. Legal materials and resources

When a student begins studying law at university, they will be greeted with a plethora of new and unfamiliar sources that they will need to discover and explore. Part of the learning journey is navigating the way to the right resources and using them to guide to greater understanding. Finding relevant and appropriate legal resources can be one of the biggest challenges the student may face when arriving at university. This chapter considers the various resources available in the modern university — both traditional library resources and additional digital resources. It also considers resources in the wider context of the changing nature of legal study, the increasing use of technology, and the accessibility of sources.

2. Thinking about studying law

This chapter was created for those who have not yet made up their mind about whether to study law, or are reviewing or questioning their plans. Making the decision to undertake a law degree may not be easy. The student may be wondering what studying law at university will be like, or where a law degree might lead. Conversely, even if their ultimate aim is to become a lawyer, they may be unsure whether they must, or should, complete a law degree. The chapter addresses questions such as what is law; where will law lead; is law for them? It also discusses different degree programmes containing law; selecting a law programme; the Graduate Diploma in Law; and studying law in the UK as an international student.

1. Introducing The Successful Law Student

This chapter provides an overview of the book's main themes. This book aims to give students the best possible chance of success when studying law at university. It is ideal for those applying for or have just accepted a place to study law at university; about to start a law degree; studying law at university; and thinking about whether to study law at university. An important feature of this book is the advice provided by real law students. A panel of students from different universities, studying different law programmes and with different backgrounds, provide their take on a wide range of issues. The six sections of the book are also described.