How to Survive the Socratic Method

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In today's episode, we'll demystify the dreaded Socratic method for teaching in law school, and provide some survival tips for being called on in class.

In this episode we discuss:

• Alison's and Lee's own experiences of being called on in a law school class, and not having things go well
• Why classes are critically important
• What is the Socratic method of teaching?
• The good thing about speaking up in class 
• Tips for surviving being called on
• What if you feel like you're not prepared to answer?
• What's the worst that could happen if you give a wrong answer?

Looking for more personalized help as you get ready for law school? Check out our flagship Start Law School Right course at startlawschoolright.com. It provides a full overview of the skills you need in law school, along with opportunities to practice and get feedback from a Law School Toolbox tutor.

Resources:

• "Start Law School Right" podcast series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/pre-law-episodes/#start-off-right)
• "Start Law School Right" course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)
• Law School Toolbox (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/) 
• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Strategies for Pre-Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/strategies-new-law-students/tips-for-pre-law-students/)
• Brené Brown – Listening to Shame TED Talk (https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame/c)
• The Paper Chase, by John Joy Osborn Jr. (https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Chase-John-Jay-Osborn/dp/0983698007)
• Podcast Episode 62: Surviving the Socratic Method in Law School Classes (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-62-surviving-the-socratic-method-in-law-school-classes/)
• Ahead of the Curve: What Is the Socratic Method? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/ahead-of-the-curve-what-is-the-socratic-method/)
• Be Prepared and Speak Up! A Different Approach to the Socratic Method (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/be-prepared-and-speak-up-a-different-approach-to-the-socratic-method/)
• How to Deal with a “Bad” Cold Call (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-deal-with-a-bad-cold-call/)
• Strategies for Surviving Cold Calls (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/strategies-for-surviving-cold-calls/)

Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-398-start-law-school-right-the-socratic-method/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee