A primer on success
To all the 1Ls out there: Welcome to the Faculty of Law. I am sure that you’re used to the pace of life around here by now. The PowerPoint-less lectures followed by incomprehensible readings. The complete disorganization of your PBSC placement. The fact that if you consume anything that isn’t a Goodmans coffee or a Junior Chicken from McDonald’s, you get ad nauseam.
You’re also probably lost and confused because no one has told you exactly what you should do to succeed. This is odd because success only means one thing and there’s a clear formula for achieving it.
Don’t worry, sweet children, I’m here for you. I’m a 3L, and I have a Bay Street job (by now you know that here at U of T Law, that’s the only measure of self-fulfillment and success you’ll ever need).
How to read, brief, and go to class
I learned in 1L that it is absolutely critical to read all of your assigned readings three times before you go to class. Brief every single case you’re assigned AND every single one mentioned in the notes. It’s definitely not overkill to brief every case subsequently cited by those cases—show some initiative.
If you don’t do at least this, then don’t even keep reading. You’ve already failed. You’re already a failure.
My approach to briefing was very consistent. I used a set of highlighters for my initial read though—not that LexisNexis or Westlaw shit that people keep hawking; get the good stuff. This is my highlighting system:
- Yellow for facts;
- Dark yellow for relevant facts;
- Tan for obiter dicta;
- Beige for reasoning related to the ratio decidendi;
- Khaki for the ratio;
- Green for the holding;
- Burnt umber for the concurrence’s difference of opinion;
- Baby blue for the concurrence’s agreement with the majority;
- Chartreuse for when the concurrence throws their hands in the air because they just can’t deal with the majority anymore (admin cases only); and
- Mauve for the dissent (Yes! The ENTIRE dissent);
- Whiteout for vowels.
Obviously, when there are multiple concurrences, you’ll have to buy more highlighters.
Now that you’ve done your first two readings, it’s time to brief. Feel free to do it in much the same way I’ve outlined above. The more you include, the more you know.
If you don’t understand or agree with something, or if you think up a cool hypothetical that you’re sure no one has ever thought of, bring it up in class. Everyone loves the person who takes up 20 minutes of class time to discuss a hypothetical! You will be the pride and joy of the Class of 2022.
How to study
Around reading week, you must begin exam preparation. If you don’t, you’re going to LP every single exam (if you’re lucky).
First, re-read everything. It’s not enough to re-read just your summaries—you won’t know what you missed. You must re-read all your readings.
Then, make a summary and/or a map and/or both. Just make something. Of course, you know exactly what they are and the difference between them by now. What I do is first make a summary then turn it into a map by taking out all of the consonants.
Once you’ve done all that for each of your classes (i.e. by the Friday of reading week), you can start on practice exams. Do all the online ones first, then move on to the older ones in the library. The librarians keep the oldest, most valuable ones locked away in a safe in Bora Laskin’s basement. You may have to bribe a librarian to get your hands on them, but it’s worth it for the sweet, sweet smell of success.
How to write an exam
Just copy your map verbatim. Professors love reading your perfect maps. They will shower you with HHs and give you a gold star too!
How to network
If you don’t network, you won’t get a job. It’s that simple. Unless you have over 1,500 connections on LinkedIn, including the managing partners of all the major firms in Toronto, you don’t have a chance in hell of making it through the 2L Recruit.
Do every single firm tour. Do everything sponsored by any firm in Toronto. They will definitely remember you come Recruit season. They’re watching you.
When you attend an event, choose a couple of lawyers that will be your “prey” and then “stalk” them. Hide behind servers carrying hors d’oeuvres or conveniently located podiums in firm boardrooms. Find out what they like. If they discard a DNA sample, keep it. Just in case.
By doing this, you will have specific questions or relatable comments for lawyers during your 2L interviews. These may include: “Did you ever get that cold looked at?” or “I, too, pretend to be vegan but then sneak to my office at night to eat hunks of salami in secret like a hyena.”
How to extra-curricular
You should take on as many volunteering opportunities as you can, even though you know there are people who don’t have any. Their loss, am I right? It’s not like this is a profession where collegiality and reputation are everything.
Do all three journals, but only really try for Law Review because it seems more important for some reason.
In conclusion
Don’t believe anyone when they tell you 2L will be easier.
Editor’s Note: Angela Hou doesn’t take herself seriously, so you shouldn’t take this article seriously either. If you’re lost & confused in 1L, reach out to someone. If it’s academic-related, use the Academic Success Program. If it’s more that law school is emotionally overwhelming (because it is!), go to Law Chats or talk to the Faculty mental health support team.
