First Steps
1. Email
your Law Professor.
Tell your professor your full "real name", and also
your last 4 SSN so that your name might be added to the gradesheet
which will be posted. Note: All
Online Faculty have email addresses, however, not all of the
On Campus Faculty have
emails, or post grades. You should inquire of your on campus instructor
whether they have an email address. If you do not have an email,
or prefer to not use your home computer, then you should obtain
either a yahoo.com email account
or hotmail.com, or other
email account you choose.
2. You will need to learn how "cut
and paste" your work if you don't know this skill already.
You also need to learn how to use "search
engines". Probably the best search engine is "google.com".
3. Next you need to learn "how
to post" to the "threaded
discussion forums".
4. Please Read "about
your grades" and read our
policy against "plagiarism".
5. Review the resources, and check
out cases, codes, courts, dictionaries, etc. These are essential
sites you will use in your legal studies. Also check out the index of our website for
other useful websites to use for your classes.
6. Remember, it is the responsibility of the student to communicate
"problems" they are having with the class, or are encountering
which prevent them from completing assignments and work by emailing
their instructor. Students must decide to "drop" any
class well ahead of the final week of the class. Incompletes are
only given upon request, and where circumstances are justified,
not just for "late work". Students are responsible for
all important dates in the College Schedule.
7. Our law classes stress certain "core
competencies", which include:
Basic Knowledge of:
principles, processes and procedures of state and federal courts
principles and procedures of the administrative hearing process
principles, processes, and procedures of litigation
principles, procedures, and techniques of legal research and investigatoin
appropriate English usage, vocabulary, and arithmetic
Ability to:
assist in the evaluation, research, preparation for and conduction
of civil litigation
work effectively and professionally with attorneys, other paralegals,
secetaries, and court personnel
assist in carrying out major litigation
Experience in:
research and investigations
managing caseloads
drafting points and authorities, pleadings, and motions for review
by the attorney
principles, processes and procedures of state and federal courts
8. You may wish to see if you qualify for Financial
Aid., or contact one of our counselors
about your General Education Classes.
9. Make sure all
of your tuition and fees are "currently paid", else
you will not be allowed to register for future classes.
10. Take the VARK
learning inventory to help you plan strategies to "learn
best", then read "How
to Study Law", and "Spotting
Fallacies". These materials will make you a better student.
11. Read about "case
law, statutes", and learn "how to brief cases",
and read "Legal
Analysis and Research Strategy" from Harvard Law School,
also read "introduction
on How Courts Work".
12. Do you have any questions? If so you can either Post
or Email
13. Good luck, enjoy studying "the law", work hard,
keep focused, "keep up" with all of your assignments,
and email or talk with your instructor.