This guide provides links to current study aids, both in print and online, for more than thirty law school subjects. These subjects are divided by the major division of law school courses: first-year and upper-level. First-year courses are organized by semester; upper-level courses are organized alphabetically by subject.
In addition, this Guide provides a listing of resources devoted to improving law school success and resources for exam preparation.
This guide is not intended to offer advice on how to study during law school or how to prepare for law school exams. Rather, the Guide is intended to inform students about the wide variety of resources that are freely available to them via the Law Library and Law Library subscriptions.
Law school study aids come in all shapes and sizes and each publisher has its own series of study aids. Its important to know the different types of study aids available because each fulfills a different purpose. One study aid might be better for reviewing cases and another for practice multiple choice questions. It is important to know who publishes each series because the publisher may affect whether the publication is available online or not via the Law Library.
This Guide contains a separate page with extensive information on the different categories of study aids and who publishers each series. These pages are the home pages under both the 1L Study Aids and 2L and 3L Study Aids tabs.
Study Rooms
The Library has twelve study rooms available for use by Loyola Law students. Rooms are for two or more students only. Click this link to see all study room policies and to reserve a room. Rooms may be reserved for a maximum of 3 hours. If students would like to reserve a room for more than 3 hours, they may seek a new reservation thirty minutes prior to the expiration of a current reservation. For a complete listing of the Library's room reservation policies, go to the Law Library's website, and scroll down to Study Rooms.
Library Access During Exam Periods
Library access during exam periods is restricted to Loyola law students, Loyola law faculty, Loyola law staff, Loyola law alumni, and Loyola paralegal students. Restricted access usually begins 4-5 weeks prior to the beginning of Law School exams. Other current Loyola students that need Law Library items or research assistance will be directed to the reference desk. Please see the library's calendars for the exact dates of our restricted access periods.
Library Hours During Exam Periods
The Library offers expanded hours of operation during exam study periods. Please see the library's calendars for the exact dates of the expanded hours for any semester.
What are Study Aids?
Broadly speaking, study aids are materials, other than your casebook, that help explain and outline the law. Study aids include explanatory material like nutshells and hornbooks, commercial outlines, case summaries, flashcards, audio tapes and more.
Why Use Them?
Study aids are not a substitute for the hard work it takes to prepare for class or understand the law! Study aids may, however, be used to supplement course readings, class notes, and a student's own outline. Study aids can assist students by:
How do I Use Study Aids Effectively?
Opinions vary on this topic. There are a wide variety of study aids available for any course. It may be helpful to consult with a teacher or with students who have matriculated from a course taught by a particular teacher. Here's a link to a primer on the different categories and titles of study aids available.
What Study Aids are Available through the Library?
The Library provides access to a wide variety of study aids. Most study aids are available online though the Library maintains print access to a few of the major titles (especially for first-year courses). Print study aids include both current editions and previous editions. This Guide lists only current (most recent) study aids by course for all major courses. Older print editions may be available in the Library. The Library also provides access to professor's sample exams.
Are There Study Aids Available Online?
Yes. The Law Library provides Loyola Law students with expanded access to West's Academic Study Aids Subscription, Aspen Learning Library, and LexisNexis Digital Library. Through these three subscriptions, students have access to the vast majority of commercial study aids available. For more information on both these subscriptions see the Online Study Aids tab of this Guide.
Does the Library Keep Older Print Versions of Study Aids?
The Library normally retains older editions of study aids that it has purchased in print. These books, though not the most recent, can be checked out at the reference desk for up to four weeks. The easiest way to locate an older print version is to access the Library Catalog and do an advanced search for the words of the title in the 'title' field. That should return records and locations for all print editions of that title.
Where are Print Study Aids Located?
There is no central location for study aids in the Library. Most current study aids are located in the Permanent Reserve collection located behind the circulation desk. Most older editions are located at the corresponding call number in the main stacks on the 5th floor of the Library. This guide provides the call numbers and location for all current print study aids in the courses listed. Please contact a reference librarian for further assistance.
What are the Checkout Policies for Study Aids?
Books located in the Permanent Reserve collection are restricted to library-use only. They may be checked out for the day; they must be returned before the Library closes for the day. Books located in the main stacks may be checked out for up to four weeks.
How Do I Know What Study Aids are Available for a Particular Course?
The purpose of this Guide is to provide students with quick access to the current study aids available via the Library for the 30 or so most popular classes at Loyola. The tabs along the top of this Guide direct students to where to locate to study aids by subject.
Can I Access a Professor's Previous Exams for a Course?
Yes! The Law Library retains copies of professors' old exams on the Past Years Exams Page available via TWEN. Sign on to TWEN via Westlaw and add the "Past Years Exams" course. Not all professors provide old exams to be posted on our TWEN page and not all exams are available. Many professors now provide sample exams directly via a course website so be sure to check there.
