Planet Law School II: What You Need to Know (Before You Go), But Didn't Know to Ask... and No One Else Will Tell You, Second Edition Updated Edition

I highly advise you to read Planet Law School before starting law school. Skip all of the other "how to succeed in law school books."The vast majority of law students need direction when it comes to law school. Law schools, and law professors, famously give VERY LITTLE direction about what is important, how to prepare for class, and how to prepare for exam. You may spend all class talking about a 150 year old case, and the professor never mentions that the case has since been overruled and isn't "the law" anywhere anymore. Why do professors assign such cases? Why do professors assign you to read cases at all? What are you supposed to get out of it? Why do professors ask questions in the (so-called) "socratic" method? What kind of answers do the professors want? How does this all translate into the exam?To make matter worse, bad advice is abundant (maybe not so much bad, but woefully inadequate). Chapter 1 discusses the difference between "law school lite" and "doing it right." You can find plenty of books out there on law school lite, with all the standard advice: prepare for a lot of work, study a lot, etc. That is all fine and good, but if you think the key to law school is buying yourself a comfortable bed, you've got another thing coming.When it comes to GOOD ADVICE about law school, and EXPLANATIONS for why law school is the way it is, Planet Law School is simply in a league of its own. You will learn way more than you need to about law school, and you will learn it from a compelling storyteller. You should read the book critically, and expect that every assertion will be supported. Only use the advice that makes sense to you. But if you ignore this book, and listen to people who post negative reviews or otherwise discount this book, you are doing yourself a huge disservice.BY FAR the most important advice in the book relates to preparation BEFORE law school starts. Almost everyone says that prep is not necessary. They are right, if you want to end up in the middle or bottom of your class. If you want to be at the top of your class (which is what gives you access to the prestigious post-grad opportunities), you have to separate yourself from the pack. Preparation before school starts allows you to study efficiently, and actually spend less time working on reading for class.Possible metaphors abound, but I like to compare law school to a scavenger hunt. You read cases to try to figure out what the law is, but you have no idea what to look for. It's like doing a scavenger hunt without having a list of what to find. Doesn't sound like much fun to me, and I'm glad I didn't have to do it that way. With preparation, you will be able to go into the semester with a list of what you need to find. And you'll know exactly where to look. That is roughly the scale of the advantage you'll have over you classmates if you follow the advice in PLS and prepare in advance. PLS tells you exactly what you need to do to prepare yourself for class and for the exam. Read and follow the advice, and you will thank yourself for the rest of your legal career.Another side benefit: there is a Yahoo group for people who have read the book, moderated by the author himself. There you can get suggestions, advice, and feedback from others in your position, as well as current law students, graduates, and the author. I don't know of any other author out there who is this committed to helping you do well, or any other book that goes this far towards making it possible.Spend the money on this book. Considering the low cost of the book (only 14 dollars here on amazon- you're about to spend more than FOUR THOUSAND times that much on law school in your first year alone), and the enormous salaries given 1st year associates at law firms, I can safely say that this book is the best investment you can make in your law career. But honestly, if you aren't convinced, buy the book, read it (or start it), and see for yourself if you find it persuasive. If you don't like the book, hold on to it because you might come back to it once the semester starts and you're frustrated and confused. And if it doesn't help, keep the book in good shape and sell it used. You really have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Read it, prepare ahead of time as PLS advocates, and reap the benefits when grades come back. You will be so glad you did.

I strongly suggest, if you thinking about law school, or if you are starting law school soon, or if you are in law school to buy this book. It is so insightful, and provocative. Atticus Falcon, really is a brilliant person.I am not a "real" law student in the sense of being a JD student. I am only and this is depressing me because my lsat score was real low, I am only in a Masters program at a law school. The program is a one year program. The reason I tried this route was because my score was low and I was hoping to prove to the admin that although my score is low, I can hack it in law school. I take classes with 2L's and 3L's. And I have to tell you that if you can make it past the first year the other two years will be alot less stressful.My suggestion is simple get the book Planet Law School it is the best book out in the market explaining the realities of your first year. If you can prospone one year and re-apply for next year do so. But if you are disciplined and I take it the vast majority of you are, then start right now by preparing.From my experience in this program, I have learned that I need the structure that instructors provide in order to know what I need to learn. In law school, there is no such structure. So by preparing before you go and following Atticus Falcon's plan, you will be able to structure yourself to learn what your professor wants you to learn.If you need help from instructors, I suggest you enroll in a paralegal program that is ABA Accredited. Take all the first year courses at this level. The teachers in this program are there to help you. While their goal is to prepare paralegals to work in the real world, your goal is to prepare you for the challenges of law school. So learn it well while you take each class. Then in law school you will succeed b/c you will know what you need to know.This person, Atticus Falcon, really is a genius! :) Seriously, I am confident I will do well my first year because I have started practicing and these courses I am taking in the paralegal school and at the law school level give me the confidence I need to succeed in law school.And every law student I have talked to has confirmed what Atticus says in his book. And all my teachers in the paralegal school have also confirmed Atticus.