What to Expect As A First-Year JD Student

Law School is a new and exciting challenge. When you get to Widener Law, we want you to know what to expect and have the tools you need for a successful experience. Below you’ll find some helpful information, advice, and resources:

Important Information
What’s Going on at Widener Law
Resources at Widener Law
How to Do Well in Law School

Important Information

• New Student Orientation—get helpful advice on everything from preparing for class to taking exams; find your first-day class assignments for the current term [First Assignments Delaware, First Assignments Harrisburg].
• Exam Schedules, Registration Guides and Information —learn how to register for classes.[Register on the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania campus; Register on the Wilmington, Delaware campus.]

What’s Going on at Widener Law

• Blogs @ Widener Law —get advice, information, and links to resources from Widener Law faculty and staff.
• Blogs @ Widener Law Library —keep up to date with what’s happening on our two campuses and in our library.
• The News Digests —find out what’s happening on campus with Widener Law’s campus newsletter. There’s a version for both the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, campuses.

Resources at Widener Law

• Course Schedules—review course schedules, descriptions, and curriculum. There are versions for both the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, campuses.    
• Information Technology Services—student computing, help desk, technology discounts, wireless configuration, etc., for both  the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, campuses.

 Library Resources    

• Previous Law School Exams on Reserve—exams on reserve and on the Internet, videotapes, computer-based lessons/tutorials, study tips, and more.
• Bar Exams Resources 
• Suggested Readings for Law Students 

How to Do Well in Law School

• Westlaw’s First Year Survival Guide offers tips on succeeding in law school.
• Learning Law: General Resources for the Study of Law—gives tips for briefing cases, taking exams, managing stress, and more. This is a service of Professor Barbara Glesner Fines, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.
• Jurist Student Services – Life in Law School—valuable information through blogs, boards, and more. This is a service of Professor Bernard J. Hibbetts, University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
• Writing Essay Exams to Succeed in Law School (Not Just to Survive): Professor John Dernbach's book on how to write successful essay exams in law school.