The Law School Toolbox Podcast: Tools for Law Students from 1L to the Bar Exam, and Beyond

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in our special 200th episode, we are focusing on the importance of developing "soft skills" that seem like they wouldn't matter that much (in law school and in life), but turn out to be really critical for success and happiness. In this episode we discuss: What are some crucial soft skills that will help you get through law school successfully and achieve your goals later in life? Finding ways to deal with stress, anxiety, disappointments, and failure The importance of reaching out for help if you feel like you're stuck How to maintain your equilibrium when future clients share tough stories with you The neuroscience involved in training our brain Resources: Wisdom 2.0 Conference (https://www.wisdom2summit.com/) Mindsight, by Dan Siegel (https://www.drdansiegel.com/books/mindsight/) Leaving Litigation (and Leaving BigLaw) (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/leaving-litigation-and-leaving-biglaw/) The People's Therapist blog (https://thepeoplestherapist.com/) Brené Brown (https://brenebrown.com/) The Places the Scare You, by Pema Chodron (https://www.amazon.com/Places-that-Scare-You-Fearlessness/dp/1570629218) Warrior One (https://warriorone.com/team/judi-cohen/) Mindset, by Carol Dweck (https://mindsetonline.com/) Martha Beck (https://marthabeck.com/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-200-the-most-surprising-thing-weve-learned-about-success/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're chatting with special guest Molly Bowen -- lawyer and author of the children's book, Mommy Lawyer -- about the challenges involved in balancing parenthood and a career (and how to explain a demanding job to your kids). In this episode we discuss: Molly's story of being in law school and taking the bar exam while pregnant, and her advice for women in the same situation The inspiration behind the book Mommy Lawyer and some of the important messages in it What you should consider when making plans involving a career and parenthood The challenges kids of lawyers (and working parents in general) face, and how you can explain your job to them so they understand What you can do to contribute to your kids' school even as a working parent How to strike a work/life balance that both you and your children are happy with Resources: Mommy Lawyer, by Molly Bowen (https://mollybowen.com/product/mommy-lawyer/) Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg (https://leanin.org/book) Facebook Group Law Mamas (https://www.facebook.com/LawMamas/) MollyBowen.com (https://mollybowen.com/) Podcast Episode 182: Navigating Motherhood in the Legal Profession (w/ Jennifer Warren) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-182-navigating-motherhood-in-the-legal-profession-w-jennifer-warren/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-199-balancing-parenthood-and-a-demanding-job-w-molly-bowen/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about ways to minimize the hassle of moving and handling other life logistics as you get ready to start law school. In this episode we discuss: Different (safe) housing and transit options if you have to relocate Planning ahead for the move How and when to notify a current job that you're leaving Setting up the utilities in your new home Cheaper food options that are still a great choice Why you don't have to give up things important to your lifestyle, such as exercise or a religious space What do you need for a comfortable living space? Resources: CasebookConnect (https://www.casebookconnect.com/) Marie Kondo (https://konmari.com/) Becoming, by Michelle Obama (https://becomingmichelleobama.com/) ClassPass (https://classpass.com/) Community Supported Agriculture (https://www.localharvest.org/csa/) ButcherBox (https://www.butcherbox.com/) Podcast Episode 104: Law School Essentials - What to Buy (And Not to Buy) Beforehand (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-104-law-school-essentials-what-to-buy-and-not-to-buy-beforehand/) Podcast Episode 161: Should You Use a Laptop in Law School Classes? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-161-should-you-use-a-laptop-in-law-school-classes/) Start Law School Right course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-198-pre-1l-life-logistics/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Rachel Gezerseh about how to find a legal job you'll actually like, and how to break into BigLaw if that's what you're looking for. In this episode we discuss: Rachel's own journey from theater to law The importance of exploring different opportunities through informational interviews and networking Practical skills you should be developing while in law school to prepare for the job market The best ways to break into BigLaw and get a job that would be a great fit for you How to shake off the imposter syndrome for good and feel confident in your abilities What does it take to be a happy BigLaw lawyer Resources: The Law Career Playbook: A Guerrilla Guide to Getting a Legal Job You Actually Like, by Rachel Gezerseh (https://www.amazon.com/Law-Career-Playbook-Guerrilla-Actually/dp/1732637202) Liang Ly LLP (http://www.lianglyllp.com/rachel-gezerseh) BreakIntoBigLaw.com (http://breakintobiglaw.com/) Podcast Episode 82: The Happy Lawyer Project (with Okeoma Moronu) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-82-happy-lawyer-project/) Podcast Episode 131: Thinking Ahead About the Future (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-131-thinking-ahead-about-the-future/) Podcast Episode 132: What's BigLaw Really Like (w/Sadie Jones)? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-132-whats-biglaw-really-like-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 142: Owning Your Career (w/Whittney Beard) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-142-owning-your-career-w-whittney-beard/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-197-career-advice-from-lawyer-writer-rachel-gezerseh/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about some creative, evidence-based ideas for remembering the material required for your law school exams. In this episode we discuss: Why you should memorize important information even for open book exams How learning the law properly plays into memorization How to immerse yourself in law concepts in your everyday life The value of acrostics in making studying lighter and more fun Using visualization to make remembering the details easier How to trigger your memory of a particular topic using narrative storylining The memorization value of good old handwriting Resources: Higher Levels of Immersion Improve Procedure Memorization Performance (https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/eed2/afc90442484b1bd2ef6ff9c089bd27bcfe7a.pdf) Memory and Study Strategies for Optimal Learning (https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED320347) Brain Basics, Part One: The Power of Visualization (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/gifted-ed-guru/201211/brain-basics-part-one-the-power-visualization) The Link and Story Methods (https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTIM_01.htm) Writing and Remembering: Why We Remember What We Write (https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/writing-and-remembering-why-we-remember-what-we-write.html) SketchyLaw (https://www.sketchylaw.com/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-196-memorization-techniques-for-law-students/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about what to do (and what not to do) over the summer to prepare for your 1L year. In this episode we discuss: Sharing your thoughts and setting expectations with family, friends, and significant others, as well as asking them for help if necessary Whether you should take a law school prep class or read outlines before classes start How to get in the right frame of mind for the law school experience Why a short trip before school starts can be great for clearing your head and re-energizing your body Tips for setting up your home and study space efficiently, plus ways to streamline chores so they take up less of your time when school starts Why you need a budget before school starts Last but not least, finding job opportunities to make some extra cash during the school year or breaks from school Resources: Start Law School Right course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/) Podcast Episode 193: Books to Read Before Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-193-books-to-read-before-law-school/) Mindset, by Carol Dweck (https://mindsetonline.com/) Amazon Subscribe & Save (https://www.amazon.com/Subscribe-Save/b?ie=UTF8&node=5856181011) You Need a Budget (https://www.youneedabudget.com/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-195-what-to-do-the-summer-before-law-school/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about what to do if you're graduating (or have graduated) from law school, and you find yourself without a job, not wanting to practice law, and not sure how to figure out what to do next! In this episode we discuss: Why it's a good idea to sit for the bar, even if you're not sure you want to be a lawyer (and which exam to take) The advantages (besides just paying the bills) of working side jobs while you are figuring out what to do next The importance of meeting people through networking and conferences How going on a short retreat can help you clear your mind, refocus, and come up with new ideas Ways to hold yourself accountable and stay organized, so you can avoid procrastination The danger of some pitfalls you might fall into while thinking about what you want to be doing in the future Resources: The Start-up of You, by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha (http://www.thestartupofyou.com/) Calendly (https://calendly.com/) Trello (https://trello.com/en) Wisdom Conference (http://www.wisdom2summit.com/) Podcast Episode 177: Real Talk about Student Loan Debt (w/Financial Expert Travis Hornsby) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-177-real-talk-about-student-loan-debt-w-financial-expert-travis-hornsby/) Podcast Episode 184: Handling Law School Finances (w/Lyssa Thaden of Accessflex) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-184-handling-law-school-finances-w-lyssa-thaden-of-accesslex/) Podcast Episode 186: Book Club: Becoming, by Michelle Obama (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-186-book-club-becoming-by-michelle-obama/) How to Conduct Great Informational Interviews (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/how-to-conduct-great-informational-interviews/) Leaving Litigation (and Leaving BigLaw) (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/leaving-litigation-and-leaving-biglaw/) CareerDicta.com (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-194-you-dont-want-to-be-a-lawyer-what-now/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about books related to the legal system that you might want to read during the summer before starting law school. These books are interesting, and you might even learn something in the process! In this episode we discuss: Non-fiction stories about famous lawyers and judges Classics on the law school experience Recommended thrillers developed around legal issues Books that will help you get into a positive, productive mindset - not just for law school, but in general Legal-related authors whose body of work is worth exploring Why casebooks, hornbooks, commercial outlines, and the E&E series can be overwhelming and confusing to read in preparation for law school, so you can skip them for now Resources: My Beloved World, by Sonia Sotomayor (https://www.amazon.com/Sonia-Sotomayor-Beloved-World-Paperback/dp/B01FODGF1K) Becoming, by Michelle Obama (https://becomingmichelleobama.com/) My Own Words, by Ruth Bader Ginsburg (https://www.amazon.com/Own-Words-Ruth-Bader-Ginsburg/dp/150114524X) A Civil Action, by Jonathan Harr (https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Action-Jonathan-Harr/dp/0679772677) The Buffalo Creek Disaster, by Gerald Stern (https://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Creek-Disaster-Survivors-Coal-Mining/dp/0307388492) Gideon's Trumpet, by Anthony Lewis (https://www.amazon.com/Gideons-Trumpet-Prisoner-Supreme-Court/dp/0679723129) Terminal Ambition, by Kate McGuinness (http://terminal-ambition.com/) The Firm, by John Grisham (http://www.jgrisham.com/the-firm/) One L, by Scott Turow (https://www.amazon.com/One-Turbulent-Story-Harvard-School/dp/0143119028) The Paper Chase, by John Jay Osborn Jr. (https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Chase-John-Jay-Osborn/dp/0983698007) Mindsight, by Dan Siegel (https://www.drdansiegel.com/books/mindsight/) Mindset, by Carol Dweck (https://mindsetonline.com/) Deep Work, by Cal Newport (http://calnewport.com/books/deep-work/) So Good They Can't Ignore You, by Cal Newport (http://calnewport.com/books/so-good/) The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown (https://www.amazon.com/Gifts-Imperfection-Think-Supposed-Embrace/dp/159285849X) The End of Lawyers?, by Richard Susskind (https://www.amazon.com/End-Lawyers-Rethinking-nature-services-ebook/dp/B00AF6MZ4I) 24 Hours with 24 Lawyers, by Jasper Kim (https://www.amazon.com/24-Hours-Lawyers-Traditional-Non-Traditional/dp/0314276319) Swimming Lessons for Baby Sharks, by Grover Cleveland (https://lessonsforsharks.com/book/synopsis/) Getting to Maybe, by Richard Michael Fischl (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Maybe-Excel-School-Exams/dp/0890897603) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-193-books-to-read-before-law-school/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about some challenging scenarios you might encounter on law school exams. In this episode we discuss: What do to if your computer crashes during an exam How to handle perceived cheating Mitigating the damage if you realize your exam answer is totally wrong halfway through Why it's important to outline on paper before typing your answer Tips for handling external issues or problems in the room What do to if you get the wrong exam (it happens!) Tricks to calm anxiety and stay focused during an exam Resources: Podcast Episode 172: Tackling Common Exam Prep scenarios (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-172-tackling-common-exam-prep-scenarios/) Podcast Episode 19: Conquering Different Types of Law School Exams (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-19-conquering-different-types-law-school-exams/) May: Surviving Law School Exams (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/may-surviving-law-school-exams/) Yikes My Computer Crashed: Moving on After a Disappointing Exam Experience (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/yikes-my-computer-crashed-moving-on-after-a-disappointing-exam-experience/) How to Organize Your Exam Answers (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-organize-your-exam-answers/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Episode-192-On-Exam-Scenarios.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about what we learned about relationships at the Wisdom 2.0 conference we recently attended. In this episode we discuss: Relationships in the workplace and how they can foster growth Why learning to cope with emotionally-challenging work can make you better at your job How lawyers tend to neglect their emotional brain and how this can impact your work life Why it's important to be a better communicator and steps to do so How to advocate to a superior about why your skills are better used elsewhere (not on boring document review) The importance of paying attention to what and how you are emailing Resources: Wisdom 2.0 Summit (http://www.wisdom2summit.com) Marriage Minute (http://www.gottman.com/marriage-minute/) Brené Brown (https://brenebrown.com/) Podcast Episode 107: How to Build Positive Relationships in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-107-how-to-build-positive-relationships-in-law-school/) Relationships and Law School: Can They Coexist? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/relationships-law-school-can-coexist/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Episode-191-Wisdom-2.0-What-We-Learned-About-Relationships-1.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee