I would like start by welcoming you all to another fantastic year of studying and socialising (we can only hope!) at Notre Dame in 2021! I would also like congratulate our First Year Students for being accepted into university and choosing to study with us at Notre Dame! This inaugural blog post is for you! Here are some important tips to get you ready for your first week of Law School!
Emails & Blackboard
It is super important to regularly check your university email and Blackboard. Your Lecturers and the Law School will frequently be uploading course content, releasing assessment marks, and making announcements. Make sure to check the Law School’s weekly newsletter ‘The Jury’s In’ for career, mentoring, internship and volunteering opportunities.
Course Outline
Course outlines can be found on Blackboard. You should become familiar with the course outline for each course that you are enrolled in. Course Outlines contain useful information including: your lecturer’s contact details, a description of the course and expectations, the assessment schedule, your class schedule, resources for the course, and available support resources. Your lecturers should go through their respective course outlines during their first lecture. I recommend that you download and print each course outline, and enter key dates into your diary straight away!
Textbooks
Thick Law textbooks can break your back, and your bank! Zookal often offer great discount codes for brand new textbooks that ship quickly. For second hand textbooks, make friends with students in the year above or search the Notre Dame Textbook Exchange Facebook Group. Chat to your lecturer about which textbooks are necessary for each course, and make use of the Library for extra research!
Orientation Day
Orientation Day was held on February 16th from 10am to 3pm. There was an NDSLS stall in St Benedict’s Courtyard, as well as lots of exciting activities (and freebies!). It was fantastic to see students take hold of this opportunity to meet other students, become familiar with the campus, and get to know the NDSLS Committee! If you didn't pick up a copy of the 2021 First Year Guide ‘Surviving Law School,’ watch this space, it will be published here soon!
The NDSLS has many exciting initiatives planned for this year! Make sure you are following us on social media to keep up to date with the latest news and events.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the academic new year!
Alicia
About the Author
Alicia is studying her fifth year of a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts (Applied Psychology). In addition to her position on the NDSLS as Education Director, Alicia has a passion for reading, rules, and roses.