Correspondence Law Schools—Tips for Success!

By Chuck Milam

In the past several years, numerous on-line/ correspondence law schools have emerged allowing many of us in the workforce or with challenging schedules to take advantage of earning a legitimate law degree.

I graduated from an on-line law school in 2005 and discovered that after four tough years of independent study, there are certain ways to study and succeed in law school.

Here are my tips for success.

1. First and foremost, set up a strict timeline and stick to it. Dedication and determination are key to success!

2. There are numerous study aids available. Listen to audio tapes, write down notes and create flash cards from it to use as the backbone of your study.

3. Develop a course outline and follow it closely. I used the approach outline from Fleming's Course Reviews. These are well structured to lead you through your exam answer, and so make a good way to organize the subject matter. Other ways would be to memorize the table of contents of Gilbert's or the Black Letter book.

4. Use flash cards to memorize the elements of the specific rules of law. Law in a Flash is a great source.

5. Learn IRAC (Issues sentences, rule sentences, application sentences, and conclusion sentences). Know this thoroughly and practice writing.

6. Take several practice tests along the way. Fleming's reviews (and other review courses), and are sometimes available from the State Bar.

7. Get the Fleming review materials for the course. Spend the last 60 days of the study year using them on a heavy study schedule. 

8. Memorize your material thoroughly, memorizing the black letter rules and definitions.

 

Good luck!