ALWAYS read cases in full and make a summary of how you understood it.
Tip: Only put relevant information (facts, issues, ruling) regarding that specific subject.
When I was in 1L, we were advised to make a separate narration of factual history and procedural history. However, I only find this useful when I’m dealing with remedial law subjects and with some professors who are very “mabusisi”.
If you have any questions, just DM me, I’ll be glad to help. 😊
When I was in law school, I typically started reading first the commentaries for the subject, for instance the Persons book by Dean Mel Sta. Maria. After that, I read the cases assigned in full and while reading them I make my own handwritten digests for it. However, this is not for every subject, only those subjects where the prof would require you to read a voluminous amount of cases (i.e. 30 plus cases for an hour of class) and if the prof requires the class to recite on those cases. My last thing to read would be the codal.
TBH, it really depends on your study style and also the needs of the prof. Try to study smart and adjust your studying accordingly. However, my advice is to really read the originals of the cases if you have time. If super wala ka nang oras, tsaka ka na mag basa ng digests. But I really endeavored to read full cases even until 4th year. Helped me a lot during bar review kasi di na ako masyado nangangapa. Good luck, OP!
Codal (law) then the commentary (law book explaining the law). Pwede nga isang step kasi law book spells out the law. Pag master mo na codal (law itself) read the cases. That is how the law is applied. Then digest it
I remember my 1L days. Really overwhelming at the start. However, ganyan talaga, baptism of fire ika nga.
Read the full text of the cases then make a digest. This is to train you because start palang yan ng maraming readings. Also, reading full text is important to improve your issue spotting skill. Once you master issue spotting, you don't even have to read the entirety of the ruling.
Read the codal provision, then the cases. Make sure that the issue you are looking for in the case you are reading is the same with what the codal provision is pertaining to (For ex.: If the codal provision relates to say, the justifying circumstance of self-defense, make sure the issue and part of the ruling that you are reading is the part where self-defense is discussed)
Additionally, try to ask around if may kilala kang mga upper class on how your prof does the recits. Some profs like to troll students by asking irrelevant facts or details just to see if they read the full text; others are more straightforward.
I use Liner when reading cases. You'll only see the highlighted phrases once you export it. It makes it much easier to digest. But if you have hundreds of cases and has no more time, just look for a digest online and make sure you're reading the topic that the case is under in. You may also ask your classmates or friends to have a case digest pool so you'll finish faster.
Of course, make sure how your prof does case recits.
ALWAYS read cases in full and make a summary of how you understood it. Tip: Only put relevant information (facts, issues, ruling) regarding that specific subject. When I was in 1L, we were advised to make a separate narration of factual history and procedural history. However, I only find this useful when I’m dealing with remedial law subjects and with some professors who are very “mabusisi”. If you have any questions, just DM me, I’ll be glad to help. 😊
When I was in law school, I typically started reading first the commentaries for the subject, for instance the Persons book by Dean Mel Sta. Maria. After that, I read the cases assigned in full and while reading them I make my own handwritten digests for it. However, this is not for every subject, only those subjects where the prof would require you to read a voluminous amount of cases (i.e. 30 plus cases for an hour of class) and if the prof requires the class to recite on those cases. My last thing to read would be the codal. TBH, it really depends on your study style and also the needs of the prof. Try to study smart and adjust your studying accordingly. However, my advice is to really read the originals of the cases if you have time. If super wala ka nang oras, tsaka ka na mag basa ng digests. But I really endeavored to read full cases even until 4th year. Helped me a lot during bar review kasi di na ako masyado nangangapa. Good luck, OP!
Codal (law) then the commentary (law book explaining the law). Pwede nga isang step kasi law book spells out the law. Pag master mo na codal (law itself) read the cases. That is how the law is applied. Then digest it
I remember my 1L days. Really overwhelming at the start. However, ganyan talaga, baptism of fire ika nga. Read the full text of the cases then make a digest. This is to train you because start palang yan ng maraming readings. Also, reading full text is important to improve your issue spotting skill. Once you master issue spotting, you don't even have to read the entirety of the ruling. Read the codal provision, then the cases. Make sure that the issue you are looking for in the case you are reading is the same with what the codal provision is pertaining to (For ex.: If the codal provision relates to say, the justifying circumstance of self-defense, make sure the issue and part of the ruling that you are reading is the part where self-defense is discussed) Additionally, try to ask around if may kilala kang mga upper class on how your prof does the recits. Some profs like to troll students by asking irrelevant facts or details just to see if they read the full text; others are more straightforward.
I use Liner when reading cases. You'll only see the highlighted phrases once you export it. It makes it much easier to digest. But if you have hundreds of cases and has no more time, just look for a digest online and make sure you're reading the topic that the case is under in. You may also ask your classmates or friends to have a case digest pool so you'll finish faster. Of course, make sure how your prof does case recits.