Notetaking

Successful Note-Taking for Law School

Law school is different from college. Students need different strategies for success. There is a temptation to write every word your professor says, but it is most effective to listen really carefully in class, write just enough to jog your memory, then review your notes within a couple of hours so you can remember and fill in missing pieces. Be sure to write down anything your professor says is “important” or “will be on the exam.”

A great note-taking resource is Note-Taking in Law School 101: The Basics –an online lesson, free for Touro Law Students.

In CALI’s words: This lesson will walk you through things to consider before setting "foot" (physically or virtually!) in a law school doctrinal classroom. You'll learn about how to listen for and capture the most important information, how to maximize your note-taking efficiency by using symbols and shorthand, and the various software options available for taking notes. It is recommended by the author that this lesson be completed before Note-Taking 101: Case-Based Content, which tests your note-taking skills in practice. [Find other law school success lessons at this link.]