How to Study Law Long Distance
Traditional schools of law are brick and mortar institutions with tons of grit, rigor and stress. Challenging assignments, volumes of reading, research and mental endurance remain mainstays in the study of law. However, a brick and mortar school isn't the only option, thanks to advances in technology and more flexible, forward-thinking accreditation entities. With a little savvy technology, even law students can work from the convenience of their homes to get an education that might not be available otherwise.
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Things You'll Need
- Materials
- PC or Mac
- High-speed Internet access
- Printer
- Printer ink
- Portable wireless broadband
Instructions
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Conduct an Internet search for law schools. Use terms like "Distance learning degree in law" or "distance learning & law."
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Once you've identified a school you're interested in, make sure it is accredited by the American Bar Association and the U.S. Department of Education, as well as in the state where it's located. Take necessary tests, such as the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test), and apply to schools.
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Prepare yourself to be a student. Set up a quiet study area in your home, away from the television and other sources of noise if possible. Have your PC or Mac set up there, with a printer nearby.
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Minimize the printing out of material. As a law student, there will be lots of it. You'll have access to an extensive online library of articles, professional journals, and search engines to research case law. If you can adjust your eyes to reading electronic print, you'll save yourself the expense of printing, and help keep the planet green. Try to reserve printing for the documents you'll need to read aloud from or to print to take notes on.
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Archive your work carefully. Since most of your documents will be electronic, such as Adobe and Word files, set up a folder for each class. Then set up sub-folders for each week. For example, LAW/601 will have a folder titled, "LAW_601." Inside will be the course syllabus, calendar, and any other course-relevant documents. Inside "LAW_601" you'll have "Week1," "Week2" and so on as sub-folders that will have the assignments.
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Work ahead when you can. If the first couple of weeks are reserved for reading, or if there is a short holiday break built in, use that time to work ahead on some of the easier assignments. All assignments should be listed in the course syllabus, or you can ask your professor to provide them ahead of time. Working ahead will help you should an emergency or an unexpected life event arise.
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Tips & Warnings
If you must travel while taking courses, take your laptop and other pertinent information you'll need to continue with the course. Use any down time, such as waiting for a flight or a train, to work offline or even online if you have a traveling wireless card.
Avoid setting up a study area in the bedroom or any room reserved for leisure. The mix can sometimes change the overall ambience from one of leisure to one of stress.
