University of Florida Levin College of Law

Where do I find my section number?

That information will be sent to you by Student Affairs via email in August.

As a 1L, will I have class every day?

No, for fall 2009 semester your classes will be Monday through Thursday. See the Fall 2009 Course Schedule.

How will I know what classes to register for?

Classes are already set for 1Ls. Student Affairs will register you for your classes this summer. After you are assigned your section in August, you can look it up in the Fall 2009 Course Schedule.

What is a casebook? What is a hornbook?

The casebooks are the assigned texts for the semester and contain cases which are supposed to illustrate a given principle of law. A hornbook is usually written by a noted legal scholar in the particular field of law and it is designed to explain certain legal theories and principles that are sometimes difficult to get from the casebook method.

How long are classes?

A period is 50 minutes. Most classes are one period, but some are longer. Classes start on the hour.

How many people are in each class?

In first year classes, there are 100 students per class, except for the writing classes which are smaller. In upper level classes, the number of students range from about 10-100, but most are smaller than 100.

Do law students have access to law school areas after-hours?

Yes. Use your Gator 1 card to access the building. There is a swipe device installed near certain doors.

Where can I find the required textbooks for class?

Where should I buy my books?

Some students buy their books at Wilbert's, the bookstore across the street from the Law library. Some buy books online through Web sites like Amazon or Half.com, and others buy their at the UF bookstore on the Law School Campus. There is also a student book exchange on the UF Law Web site that puts UF students in touch with one another to exchange books.

Does Wilbert's and the UF Law Bookstore offer deferments?

Yes, they both do.

How long does it usually take books to arrive if you order them online?

Online book deliveries depend on the site and whether or not you are buying from another student who is selling them used online or from a retail store. Some students have had problems with books taking a long time to arrive or the wrong books arriving in the mail, but other students have saved a lot of money this way, too.

Are there copies of supplements for our classes in the library?

Yes, they are located behind the circulation desk at the law library.

Should I join a study group or try to hack it on my own?

This is another idea to experiment with, as some study groups work well together and others are not as helpful. It's a good idea to find people with similar study habits, instead of just friends that you hang out with, so that when it comes to studying, you actually do it, rather than socialize. Study groups can be especially helpful when it comes to preparing for upcoming exams and going over a professor's old exams.

What other libraries are available other than the law school library and where are they located? Do the other libraries have designated areas for graduate students?

As a UF student, you are permitted to use all other UF libraries and library resources on campus, with the same rights and privileges you have in the law library. Accordingly, other UF students (i.e., non-law students) are permitted to use the law library. Library West is a popular one with law students because the sixth floor can only be accessed by graduate students. Just make sure to go to the circulation desk at Library West and have them activate your card for the grad level in advance. The process takes 24 hours.

Is the law library open during Saturday home football games?

No, because the campus is taken over by tailgating football fans. You could study hard during the week so you can take off a Saturday and enjoy the spectacle that is "game day in the Swamp!" Or, you can visit one of the other libraries on campus that will be open.

How can I print and/or copy on campus? How much does that cost?

Printing is run by the main campus UF CIRCA Labs. It costs $.10 per page, which is billed directly to your student account. Laser printers are located in the copy room on the first floor of the library and in the cafeteria in Bruton-Geer Hall. To set up wireless printing, go to http://labs.circa.ufl.edu/laptop_printing.php. There is free printing for Lexis and WestLaw information and these printers are located in the cafeteria and in the library as well.

What are the pros and cons of writing your notes vs. typing them on the computer in class?

It is a personal preference, but generally laptops can be helpful because you can type a lot of notes and then quickly access them for future outlining and studying needs. The main problem with typing your notes is that some students then become stenographers, instead of note-takers, collecting way too much information. In addition, many students use computers inappropriately and get distracted by surfing the web or chatting between students. By contrast, handwriting your notes can be helpful because you often take better notes and have less reason to be distracted, so you may get more out of class. However, many students then need to access their notes on the computer and this requires typing them into Word or OneNotes. This process sometimes helps students to reinforce concepts and serves as a way to study, though.

What is TWEN?

The West Education Network® (TWEN) is an online extension of the law school classroom, the virtual law school community. Many teachers use TWEN to send information to students and post important information for classes. In addition, many of the organizations on campus use TWEN to communicate with members. 1Ls will receive a Westlaw password in their welcome packets during ILSP check-in.

How long will I spend on homework each night?

It depends on your professors, but generally 1-2 hours per night per class.

What is outlining? How do I do that?

It is a process of tailoring your information gleaned from your notes and other sources to develop a study guide for the class. The best ones are under 50 pages and some professors allow students to use their outlines during the test. Outlining doesn’t work for everyone and how you outline can vary by course. In addition, JMBA has an outline bank of successful students in past classes broken down by professor, and these outlines can sometimes be helpful.

What’s the first day of class going to be like? How do I know if I have first day assignments?

It will depend on the class and the professor. In order to be as prepared as possible, be sure to check the First Day Assignments page and do whatever is required of you. Continue to check up until school starts as some faculty submit first day assignments close to the beginning of the semester.

What is the best way to prepare for my first class?

Read and think about whatever was assigned. In addition to reading assigned material and being familiar with it, we suggest that students take notes on each assigned case so that the facts, reasoning employed by the court, and the rule announced by the case will be easily accessible. Some professors list first day assignments on the UF Law website and some professors do start calling on students the very first day.

Should I buy anything besides my textbooks to read for class?

We recommend that you ask your professors about their particular classes. We do not recommend buying supplements before classes start. Buying additional supplemental materials can be helpful, but it’s important to look through the various types and come up with which type works best. Supplements can help with outlining and application of the concepts learned in class. You can get the older versions of the supplements online as well for a lot cheaper than the newer versions.

Does every professor use the Socratic Method and randomly call on students?

The Socratic Method is employed differently depending on the professor. In order to be prepared for it, make sure to read whatever information you are expected to before class.

Why is it helpful to read case opinions and how useful are supplemental materials?

We recommend that you ask your professors about their particular classes. The case method is designed to make each student think about the case and the holding in order to discover which legal principle or rule of law is being discussed. While some students do well by this method, others find it helpful to use supplemental materials to help them appreciate the important points of a case. As a first year student, it is a good idea to see which study methods are recommended by your professors and which are the most helpful to you through experimentation with different types of supplements in addition to reading the casebook.

Do I need to bring my laptop to class every day, or is it o.k. to take hand-written notes?

It depends on the professor, as some encourage laptops and others do not allow them. Please ask your professors if they do not make this clear the first day of class.

Do I need to bring my books to class?

Absolutely, unless your professor tells you it is not necessary! You will probably have to refer to your text if you are on call or refer to it when your professor discusses cases.