🌀 Spiral Learning
Lawyers are constantly learning new topics & tasks. In law school we try to teach "how to think like a lawyer" but also "how to learn like a lawyer."
One of my favorite learning techniques is sometimes called "spiral learning":
Spiralling is a strategy where you learn the same concept multiple times but each time learn it at greater depth/complexity.
For law students this means learning the same concept multiple times:
• Reading
• Class
• Post-Class
• Outlining
• Practice Exams
• Real Exams
Each time you encounter the material you are more ready to understand it and make deeper connections.
This a massive shift for many students who are used to learning the first time with ease by cramming.
But when they get to law school that strategy no longer works.
Embrace it.
The spiral method should lower the stress of each step in the learning process. Early on you are learning to set yourself up for learning and eventual mastery. If something doesn't make sense the first time that is OK. Create materials to help next round.
And if its getting late in the process, instead of cramming really try to practice using the knowledge (by, for example, taking practice exams) so you can quickly identify what you know and don't know.
Plus spiraling is effective practicing lawyers too!
Lawyers often face new tasks, new practice areas, new courts. Clients pay for expertise BUT you can only get expertise by getting in early reps BEFORE you have expertise. This isn't that different than learning a subject for a law school exam.
Spiraling can be uncomfortable.
tYou think: I am smart so I should be able to do this great the 1st time. But even the best can't.
Make the goal "getting reps" and "seeing the same topic/task in new ways" instead of perfection & success will come with less stress!