1L of a Ride: A Well-Traveled Professor's Roadmap to Success in the First Year of Law School

by Andrew J. McClurg

This book provides a candid step-by-step road map to both academic and emotional success in law school’s critical first year. Topics covered include top student fears, the first-year curriculum, effective class participation, types of law students and professors, case briefing, note-taking, outlining, legal research and writing, exam preparation, exam-taking, and stress management. This text shows rather than tells using dozens of anecdotes and comments from real 1Ls, as well as authentic samples of Socratic dialogue, exam questions, and student case briefs and class notes. The author is an award-winning professor and noted legal humorist with experience teaching at several law schools.

Genres: Law, Nonfiction, Self Help, Legal, School, College, Memoir

420 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2008

Reviews

[Lilly Engelhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not be more glad I read this book before starting my first year. I learned so much that I wouldn’t have intuitively known. I feel more confident now than when I started the book!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I am not starting my first year of law school (1L)for another four months, I cannot rate the usefulness of the book’s advice until next May. I will come back and change my rating and review at that time.

As for the book itself, I did not like the author’s chatty style of writing and the many times he would state something “scary” only to follow it with “just kidding.” I am about to embark on a professional degree and I would have preferred that the book be more professional as well. At one point he shared a vulgar joke from an esteemed law professor (not named) in order to demonstrate that law professors were regular guys, too. For me, it showed older male professors as part of an old boys network engaging in “locker room talk.”

I also took exception with some of his claims about how law school compared to other graduate programs. I already have three graduate degrees and don’t believe his statement that the caliber of law professors is higher than ones I encountered in undergraduate and other graduate programs. I have been in classes taught by Nobel Prize laureates of very high caliber. Many of his claims showed the same arrogance. Law school to him, as a law school professor, is the hardest program, the most life-changing, etc. and he succeeded at it, therefore establishing his place among the elite jurists.

I plan to follow some of his advice, recognizing that it is one person’s perspective and may not be useful for others. I did, however, get very excited about his inclusion of a school supplies list. I wanted to head to Staples and start preparing my law school study and backpack.

[Kate Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how helpful this book is going to be, but I do feel less in the dark about heading into 1L. I took notes and tried to pay attention to what resonated with me most and disregard what would not apply.

I feel like I can really start making a game plan to do my very best. I hope to update this review in about a year and half and report back on how valuable it truly is.

[Garret Macko · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was recommended reading from my law school before classes begin. Based on conversations with current and former law students, it appears this book covers all of the major considerations of 1L students. Naturally, as it’s written by a professor, there’s a bias towards certain aspects of study and pedagogy that may not align with what is optimal from a student’s perspective, but that is to be expected from a book of this kind. Additionally, it is quite redundant, and while it covers law school specific educational topics, there’s much advice that’s intuitive as an extension of good study and social habits, but again that is to be expected from a work from this genre.

[Lucaso · Rating 4 out of 5]

A significant portion of the advice in here is either redundant or, more frequently, common sense. I suppose I'll have to wait to truly judge the advice given until next year.

I greatly appreciate the anecdotes and student comments sprinkled throughout, and a lot of the tips are helpful (I think). McClurg did accomplish one thing for sure: He helped build my excitement for the coming adventure.

[Abby Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely feel like this book will be helpful throughout the first year of law school, but I have to admit, I’m now a little more intimidated about starting!

[Matt Forgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snoozefest!

[Maddie Blaser · Rating 5 out of 5]

the most helpful law school prep book i read this summer BY FAR!!

[Rebecca Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

McClurg's book has given me so much insight into what to expect the first year of law school. I really appreciate his humor and knowledge and will be returning to this book as I start my 1L journey

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the incoming law student, 1L or a curious prospective, I think this book is just downright amazing. This is a guide to the first year of law school. The author talks to students about what they need to do in order to succeed. While a lot of it seems very obvious, the author reaffirms his advice by giving student's, and other professor's accounts and opinions on various topics of the first year, thus giving the book an interesting feel (and ultimately comfortability). I think the author does a good job of making the reader feel like they'd love to have him as a professor; he seems genuine, honest and kind of funny actually. I love the fact that this book is kind of no holds barred in that he gives it to you straight up. He doesn't sugar coat anything, yet the author isn't one of those "jaded, don't go to law school" types. McClurg is helpful, informative, and insightful, just what I think the for sure incoming law student needs. If you're sure you're going to law school, and just looking for something to read the summer before to help you understand (at least somewhat) what to expect, check this out.

[Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to tell if this book is actually useful before starting law school, but it's certainly clear, personable, and gave me new insight into the purpose and method of legal education. I especially appreciated the sections on social interaction, like classroom behavior, managing your reputation and forming strong relationships with professors, because I typically get horribly anxious when I don't know the rules for a new situation and miss opportunities.

One star off because the book is a little dated about technology use, the author shills for MBTI personality testing and his use of studies and sources wasn't particularly rigorous. It sometimes had the feel of my high school debate papers, where I looked up any relevant research and shoehorned it in to sound smart, regardless of actual need, relevance or understanding of the source.

[John Plumeri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone starting law school. The case briefs chapter was very useful— I practically followed the case brief tips verbatim. As to other habits and suggestions, I probably did not do them (or if I did, I did not do them because of the book). Nevertheless, the overall themes—being consistent, not falling behind, and taking preparation and organization seriously—were important to hear and in my mind as I completed my first year.

I was pretty anxious to start law school. One can do perfectly fine without reading this book, but I felt more prepared going in because I read the book. This feeling of preparedness before starting was probably the best thing I got out of the book.

[Fick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best written law book to read before starting law school. Gets multiple perspectives on the dos and don'ts, and most importantly implements comedic relief to prevent the material from being a dry read.

[Seth Paulger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suppose I wont be able to give a well thought out review of this book until I have actually gone through my first year of law school, however, I can say that McClurg does a great job at presenting a potentially boring toping in a charismatic fashion, and the advice seems sound from a theoretical perspective. He answered many of the questions I had about law school. If anything, I have more clarity in terms of what the first year of law school will look like, which is all I was really wanting at this point so that I can anticipate what I am up against.

Admittedly, if you are a cutthroat "potential law student" who takes themselves too seriously and wants to place #1 in your class, this book isn't for you, but rather for students who value balance between their personal and professional pursuits, and have a more realistic outlook on reality.

[AR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed. As someone with anxiety, I like to know as much as I can about endeavors I undertake and what to expect. This book talks about every single aspect of the first year of law school--both what to expect and how to best face it. It really got me into law school mode and I now understand better and feel ready to tackle the beast.

I'll just have to update this review when my first year is over to see exactly how well it does or doesn't work (no matter my current enthusiasm).

[Pengyu Jiang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very detailed book and some details aren’t useful for certain people. For example, I just skimmed the chapter on relationships in law school. Still, I think potential 1Ls should read it, but they shouldn’t read only it. Search online and read everything you can find. For example, I know two former 1Ls who got near 4.0 GPA recommend reading the case summaries on WestLaw or LexisNexis before reading the case, but this tip is not written in this book, maybe because the author went to law school way too long ago.

[Gabe Aderhold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to read for incoming 1L law students, or “0Ls”. Obviously won’t know which tips were best for me until I start law school, but the writing style was done in an informative, humorous, and engaging way. Nice to hear from the perspectives of law professors, students, interviewers, and researchers. Highlighted some key themes to better prepare myself for my law school journey.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written book, showed the mentality, phase of law student. Also given tips like C.R.E.D.O, IRAC methods to cope the law studies. Given more tips on living healthily being student. I liked the case reviews and cases analysis shown in this book. Every law student should read this in their lifetime.

[Olivia Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

engaging and entertaining, especially for the subject matter

made me feel better about starting 1L because nothing shocked me or made me more nervous

i have heard a solid majority of this advice before, but i did take note of a few new things that i will take with me and it reinforced the advice i’ve heard to see it in a popular book

[Dan Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say for certain how applicable McCLurg’s advice is for students preparing for their first year of law school as I haven’t started school yet myself. However, his advice is identical to the advice I have been given by friends and associates who are currently in law schools so it has to be reasonably accurate. I have heard many students emphasize the need to being outlining notes for finals early in each semester and the importance of preparing briefs for every class case. Additionally, I have incorporated his C.R.E.D.O acronym (Consistent, Rigorous, Efficient, Diligent, and Organized) into my personal mantra I meditate on to start each day.

I feel that this book has prepared me for law school as much as possible and I thank McClurg for making the information engaging through humorous anecdotes when applicable.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Redundant and overlong. 90 percent of the information herein would be obvious to someone who had gone to undergrad, taken the LSAT, been admitted to law school, and done even a passing investigation of what the experience will be like.

[Michael Crispi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d say this book has some very helpful tips but it’s incredibly drawn out. The sample student work is useful in terms of familiarizing yourself on what law school professors expect and what the exams demand. However, the author comes off as very full of himself. Much of his advice is quite obvious (eat well and get good sleep) yet he acts like he’s the one who invented these habits. Skim this one, and flip through any portions where the author begins to rant…

[Nicole]

Received as a gift from a friend who read it before his 1L year and said it helped him a lot. (Thanks, Carter!) I can't rate this one (yet) - but hopefully the notes I took will help me make it through this year at least a little easier.

[crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book and was hooked mostly while reading. The structure was fresh, consistent, and informative— most importantly, the tone and abundance of examples/anecdotes made it intriguing. Would recommend, and would read it again before I go to law school.

[Gisselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with very informative and quality advice. I will be sure to keep this book at hand once law school starts!

[Queezle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad read, but a lot of it is super obvious

[Annika Persson · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book for any present or future law student. easy to read and engaging yet very detailed.

[Colin Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lot of truisms (duh!) but definitely helpful when it came to easing my anxiety about starting this brand new chapter.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super thoughtful and useful

[Benjamin Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some okay tips, but it's basically a self-help book.