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

Today, we are talking about a topic near and dear to our hearts, being a woman in the legal profession. It's 2016, are we really still having this same tired conversation about women in the workplace? Yes, yes we are. In this episode we discuss: What is it really like to be a woman in the legal workforce? Why is it so hard to be a woman in the legal profession? Lee and Alison share their experience as lawyers, and from other jobs What is the "Martha Stewart" complex and why is it dangerous for women? Dealing with the lack of sponsorship for female lawyers How motherhood fits into your career as a lawyer Why are we not openly discussing the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood in the legal profession? Where can we go from here? Resources Helping Moms Lean In, But Not Too Far - NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/fashion/helping-moms-lean-in-but-not-too-far.html) One Reason Why the Legal Profession is so Screwed Up (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/05/one-reason-the-legal-profession-is-so-screwed-up/) My Beloved World by Justice Sotomayor (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00957T7CQ/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1) Ms JD Law Review Diversity Survey (http://ms-jd.org/blog/article/ms.-jd-partners-with-nyu-law-review-to-re-launch-our-annual-law-review-dive) What No One Tells You Before You Go To Law School: You're Entering a Sexist Profession (http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/having-daughters-rather-than-sons-makes/) Mentors or Sponsors: Which Do You Need? (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/06/mentors-or-sponsors-which-do-you-need/) Having Daughters Rather Than Sons Makes You More Liberal (http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/having-daughters-rather-than-sons-makes/) BigLaw Partner Begs Associates Not to Leave Because of Their Kids (http://abovethelaw.com/2014/05/biglaw-partner-begs-associates-not-to-quit-because-of-their-kids/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! And good luck out there, ladies! Alison & Lee

Today we are joined by Kipp Mueller, Columbia Law grad and the co-founder and CEO of SketchyLaw, an online education company which teaches legal rules using visual learning. He and Lee talk about how visual learning can help law students and the science behind it. In this episode we discuss: What is visual learning? How visual learning tools can benefit you in law school The science behind visual learning How SketchyLaw works What memory palaces are and how you can use them as a memorization tool Can everyone benefit from visual learning? The importance of trying different study aids and tools How SketchyLaw came about and the benefits for law students Lessons learned by Kip's law school experience and his entrepreneurial path Resources: SketchyLaw (https://www.sketchylaw.com) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

One of the biggest challenges law students face is how to handle pressure. Whether it's day-to day-stress or test anxiety, pressure and stress can be overwhelming, especially in law school. Today we have the New York Times bestselling author of "Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When it Matters Most" and renowned pressure expert, Dr. Hank Weisinger, here to talk about handling the pressure of law school. In this episode we discuss: Dr Weisinger talks about how he became an expert on pressure Why pressure is such an issue for law student Why thinking about grades can be to blame for your stress "Worry thoughts" and how you can ignore them How to stop "catastrophizing" What is the difference between pressure and stress? Strategies for handling pressure and thriving under pressure What happens in law school to make students lose their coping skills Solutions for easing the pressure Tips for handling test anxiety Dr Weisinger's book and other resources for handling pressure Whether students who experience a lot of stress and anxiety should just skip law school and find a different career Resources: "Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When it Matters Most" (http://www.amazon.com/Performing-Under-Pressure-Science-Matters/dp/0804136726) Dr Weisinger's Website (http://www.drhendrieweisinger.com/) Performing Under Pressure eWorkshop Experience (http://pressure.hendrieweisingerphd.com/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Chances are, you've received at least some of your first semester law school grades by now. We hope you're jumping for joy, but the reality is that most students didn't do as well as they hoped. Don't panic - this isn't the end of your legal career. You have plenty of time to turn things around. The important thing is to stay focused, learn from your mistakes, and put a plan in place for success next time around. It is possible! In this episode we discuss: Lee and Alison's personal experience with first semester grades What you need to understand about the curve Why do people get so stressed out about law school grades? Steps to take after you get your grades Why it's OK to be disappointed How to evaluate your study process Why outlining is an important tool in studying for exams The importance of getting feedback Time management tips How to explain bad grades during interviews Good luck! If you'd like our help figuring out how to improve your grades second semester, just let us know on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-28-dealing-with-bad-law-school-grades/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee Resources: Law School Tutoring: http://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/

Are you interviewing for a legal job? Whether you are interviewing for your first summer job, or one that will (hopefully) be more permanent, we have tips for many different types of interviews and situations. In this episode we discuss: What universal traits are most interviewers looking for? What traits are red flags for interviewers? How to dress for your interview Tailoring your approach for different work settings What you should bring, and not bring, with you to the interview What not to do during your interview The importance of asking questions during the interview Tips for specific types of jobs (clerkships, law firms, government, etc.) Good luck with your interview! Resources: Stitch Fix (https://www.stitchfix.com/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

The fact that you are a 1L or 2L doesn't mean that you can't be thinking ahead to bar exam preparation. And if you're a 3L, you definitely need to be planning for the bar! It's important to keep bar prep on your radar throughout law school, so you will be ready when the big day arrives. Here are some tips for preparing successfully, whatever year you are! In this episode we discuss: The biggest mistake that law students make when thinking about bar exam preparation Handling the bar exam "culture of fear" Preparing for the bar exam as a 3L Getting the most for your money with bar prep Tips for selecting a bar review provider Understanding what bar prep options are offered at your school The courses we took and didn't take that could have helped with the bar exam What you need to do ahead of time (bar admission paperwork, accommodations, saving money) Bar preparation for 1Ls: What you should and should not do your first year Taking the MPRE How to work on your study skills now so you will be prepared for the bar exam Good luck on the bar! Resources: Should You Apply for Bar Exam Testing Accommodations? (http://barexamtoolbox.com/apply-bar-exam-testing-accommodations/) Can You Pass the Bar Exam Without Taking Barbri? http://barexamtoolbox.com/can-you-pass-the-bar-exam-without-taking-barbri/ Mind Over Bar (http://mindoverbar.com/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Although it seems like it should be common sense, you'd be surprised by how many law students struggle with professionalism when they arrive at their first law job. This may be because many law students have limited work experience or have only been exposed to more casual work environments in the past. Now is the time to make a good first impression at your legal job and we have some advice to help you out! In this episode we discuss: What does being a professional even mean? What your job really is as a new lawyer or legal intern Why to check any sense of entitlement What it's like to work in different settings How and why to dress professionally Professional communication (in-person and email) Perception and why it's important Alison and Lee's stories from the trenches! Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-25-how-to-behave-like-a-professional-in-the-legal-workplace/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Although it's only December, today we're looking ahead to the summer. If you're a 1L, you're probably thinking about how (and where) you are going to find a summer job. We know a lot of you may be stressing out about this so we've got some useful tips and information about the basics of a 1L job search. In this episode we discuss: Does it matter what you do after your 1L year of law school? What kind of job can you realistically expect to get? The importance of getting a job doing something "legal" Different types of summer jobs you can apply to (judicial externships, firm jobs, government, academia, international work) Using your personal or family network to find opportunities How to find opportunities through your school What you can expect to earn Most important factors when deciding on a summer job How to find out what an organization is looking for What to do if you don't find a paid job How to secure funding for summer jobs The importance of Job Fairs Good luck in your job hunt! Resources: National Association for Law Placement (http://www.nalp.org/) How to Conduct Great Informational Interviews (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/how-to-conduct-great-informational-interviews/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Are exams looming on the horizon? In today's episode, we're dishing out some law school exam day tips. You probably have been preparing intensively for the last few weeks for exams, but have you prepared for the day of the exam? Athletes prepare for the day of the big game and so should you! Check out our tips for exam day success. In this episode we discuss: Getting ready for the day of the exam in law school The importance of self-care during exam prep How to tell if you are burnt out Sorting out any testing accommodations How to be at your best on game day Being prepared for obstacles you may face on the big day What you should bring with you to the exam (Alison and Lee have very different ideas on this one!) Time management during the exam How to handle anxiety during the exam How to adjust your strategy for take home exams Decompressing between exams Resources: What Should You Bring With You to a Law School Exam? (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/what-should-you-bring-with-you-to-a-law-school-exam/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Best of luck on your exams! Alison & Lee

In today's episode, we're doing things a bit differently. We've talked about how to study for a law exam, but today we are going to take an exam with you. Well, not actually TAKE it with you, but we're going over a real question to show you exactly how we'd approach an exam hypo, from start to finish. Before listening to this episode, be sure to download the documents in the resources so you can follow along. In this episode we discuss: Our step-by-step attack plan How we organize the information in the hypo What we're looking for when we read the question How to figure out the key legal issues and critical facts How to generally approach exam hypos Tying the facts to the law Creating a scratch paper outline Putting it all together and writing your exam answer Resources: Here are the materials you'll need, if you want to follow along: Adverse Possession Hypo (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adverse-possession-hypo.pdf) Adverse Possession Attack Plan (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adverse-possession-attack-plan.pdf) Adverse Possession Sample Answer (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adverse-possession-Sample-answer.pdf) Marked Up Answer Alison (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Marked-Up-Question-Alison.pdf) Marked Up Answer Lee (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Marked-Up-Question-Lee.pdf) Scratch Paper Outline Alison (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Scratch-Paper-Outline-Alison.pdf) Scratch Paper Outline Lee (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Scratch-Paper-Outline-Lee.pdf) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Best of luck on your exams! Alison & Lee