Periodically on the law school discussion boards, entering first-year law students mention that one of the ways they are preparing for law school is by taking a speed reading course. A word to the wise: this is not an effective or efficient way to spend your time and money preparing for law school.

In all the time I have been associated with law schools I have never heard a student or professor mention that a certain speed reading course is a good law school preparatory course. In fact, the only and first place I have come across speed reading courses as a way to prepare for law school is on law school discussion boards from individuals who have yet to enter law school.

Effective legal reading is not only about speed, it is also about understanding what you are reading. You can read as quickly as you want, but if you do not understand the legal terminology then there is a great likelihood that you will interpret the cases incorrectly or miss a subtle, but important point.

Reading is a skill, and like any other skill it can be improved with the right practice. As an article at LawNerds.com points out; "Typically, the average first year law student reads only three pages an hour in their first month of law school. By the end of the first semester, most students read ten pages an hour and keep at that pace until the end of their second year."

The article mentioned above and another good article about law school reading can be found at:

• http://www.lawnerds.com/guide/reading.html
• http://academic.udayton.edu/legaled/online/class/read00.htm

Even if you consider yourself just an average student, you should not worry about your reading skills prior to arriving at law school. As you become familiar with how to read cases your speed will improve. Within the first four to six weeks of law school you will probably read at least fifty cases, if not more, and it is very likely you will become competent quickly at anything done so much.

Other related articles on this website include Basic Writing-Its Importance and Grades & Writing.

Good luck in law school!

If you have any questions or comments about this article, or want to write your own article about the pre-law or law school process, feel free to contact me.