2. Before commencing my
Learnmore is a useful online first year, I was
resource for students, as it apprehensive and knew
educates and informs you very little about the skills
on how to approach a law necessary for a Law degree.
degree. From how to back up But when I came across
your argument using sources Learnmore, I became more
in the Law Reports to confident and aware of all
preparing for exams etc. the useful tips and of what
not to do.
A handy step by step guide
to a successful first year. The Newbies section in
I found this site pleasing to particular appeared
the eye, easily navigated and beneficial, being a first year it
beneficial due to the fact that gave me all the necessary
the information provided information on debating,
was not overwhelming, but getting the best out of
concise and informative. tutorials and remembering
cases etc.
3. NEWBIES
• This section provides a ‘new’ student with the
necessary information regarding what is on offer at
City University for example the opportunity to study
abroad and how to make the most of your law
degree.
• The various subsections highlight the importance of
why you should join debating for example or gain
work experience. The work experience sub section
provides you with a personal account written by
students sharing their experience of ‘working life’ in
a prestigious law firm.
• The key skills subsections in particular raises
questions as to whether you are training to become a
solicitor or a barrister and the necessary routes to go
down. It is also informative in the sense that it
informs you of what skills employer’s will be looking
for and how to go about gaining them.
4. NEWBIES CONT.
Twitter for Lawyers
• Social networking has played a huge part in the
interconnectedness of society. Not only is it
used for informal purposes but it has become a
vital element in the corporate world where
opportunities are easily available.
• It is a great way of communicating, sharing and
expressing your views on a particular topic.
• Emily Allbon our law librarian has made it
exceptionally approachable for all law students
via twitter, who have concerns and questions
unanswered to tweet her.
5. RESEARCH
• This is of utmost significance when approaching
an essay question whether it be problematic or
not. Making sure you thoroughly research by
reading Law Reports, authorities etc.
• The talking slideshows appear very effective and
informative providing you with primary sources
for example English Law Reports and secondary
sources such as the Criminal law journals. The
topic of plagiarism is an essential topic which is
thoroughly explained in this section. It
highlights it’s importance and consequences.
• The Lawbore tour in particular is especially
useful as it is an online presentation for first
time users covering a variety of aspects on how
to use the site; from how to use the forums,
electronic journals and databases, City hub and
Learnmore.
6. WRITING
Procrastinating? Struggling to begin your first
assignment?
• This section explores the ways in which you
can improve your legal skills, volunteering
as a legal journalist. There are also various
competitions in which you can enter with a
sum of money as a reward.
• However this subsection, does not explore
thoroughly the ways in which one can
approach and begin writing a law essay
without an example or model.
• Similarly the top tips subsection is very
broad in the sense that it will be ‘new’
students viewing this section and will be left
with questions unanswered.
7. MOOTING
• As we are aspiring barristers and solicitors the
mooting experience holds high importance so
we need to know as much as possible in
regards to it, which this section of Learnmore
provides. As new students to Law, many
probably do not know much about mooting,
the subsection "what is mooting" gives an
easy understandable run down on what it
actually entails.
• The thought of part taking in a moot can be
quit daunting for new students, but
Learnmore can assist confidence building
with the "top tips" and "mooting basics" as
understanding these small but important
facts can help a lot. The sub section on
example moot problems is also very useful for
students as can be used for practice and build
confidence within the student, in preparation
for a real moot.
8. EXAMS
• Exams play an extremely important role
throughout attaining a law degree, this section
of Learnmore suggests various important factors
to assist us students in performing well. For
example; studying in a group, flash cards and
eating healthy. The fact there are a number of
different helpful pointers instead of just two or
three, means that students will find at least one
point useful. This also applies to the sub section
"revise without getting stressed" something all
students including myself appreciate help with.
9. CAREERS
• This section of Learnmore provides detailed
information about careers in law. It firstly
addresses work experience; discussing various
types e.g mini pupillages, volunteering and job
shadowing all of which are very useful for
students as experience is something we all
need. Again the fact that there are a list of
various methods is helpful as students can
decide which method they would prefere. The
depth in which the different sub sections go
into e.g "Solicitor V Barrister" is extremely
beneficial to us as students as it gives us a
more detailed understanding and assists us to
make the important decision of what field we
plan to take our knowledge of law into.
10. IMPROVEMENTS
• Overall Learnmore is a very useful source for students as it provides
essential information that will assist us through our time at City University.
Although there are no major flaws with the sight, like anything there is
always room for improvement.
• Firstly in regards to the "Newbie" section of Learnmore, an account from a
previous 1st year would be valued. An account in which the student
discusses their experiences from their first year at City, including any useful
tips they learnt during the course of the year that would help new students.
I believe new students would find this particularly useful because the
student would have been in the exact position as them once so would make
it easier to relate.
• There were many useful points in the "writing" section but in order to
improve it, including an essay styled question and answer that is annotated
would be useful. The annotations explaining the good and irelevant points
of the answer, which would give all students a clearer idea of how to
approach essay questions.
11. IMPROVEMENTS CONT.
• As new law students many would not have seen mooting actually taking
place before, adding a video of a mooting competition would be of use.
This way new students would be able to see how mooting actually
works, making it less daunting for them.
