Study area tips

Exams have begun and you need to find that perfect spot.  Since it is my job to prowl the Library, I am expert in what goes on where.  So here are my tips:

• For study groups - reserve a Study Room.  These go quickly so plan ahead.
• If all of the Study Rooms are booked, find a table in the Reading Room.  Remember, these are for quiet group study.  When you need a break  - or chat about the weekend - please take a break outside of the Library
• For a more relaxed setting, try the bean bag chairs in the lower level (down stair by Reference desk) or the lounge area with comfy chairs toward the back on the main level
• For close to absolute quiet - go down the stairs by Rm 104

Good luck on your exams!!!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

CALI for Exam Success

Along with study guides and past exams, don't forget CALI.org as you review for finals. CALI Lessons, a library of over 900 online interactive tutorials for IL as well as 2L and 3L law school subjects, can be found at the CALI welcome page.  CALI, the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction, is a nonprofit consortium that facilitates the creation of these tutorials by law school faculty from across the country.

CALI Lessons are free to all Hofstra law students. They can be searched by topic (Constitutional Law, Business Associations), by casebook, and by individual subtopics, such as probable cause, within a subject outline. CALI is a great tool for revisiting those concepts or cases that were difficult to understand or that you need to review and gain confidence in before the final exam.

You will need to register online with a password, or school code, the first time that you use CALI Lessons. Just contact or visit the Reference Desk to obtain this code from a reference librarian.





Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Study (or napping) area suggestions

Hang in there, you are almost finished with the semester.

As you know, one of my many areas of expertise is napping - which requires quiet.  So, if you require quiet for napping, studying or anything else, go down the stairs by Room 104 and check out the lower level of the Library.

Also, just a reminder, check out the Library's list of available Study Guides.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Lexis Case Law Games for Exam Preparation

Lexis Advance provides Case Law Game which is designed to help law students spot and analyze issues in preparation for exams. This free fun tool allows students to compete against their friends and compare scores against other law schools.  It includes games for 1L's and upper level courses.  Click here to play.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

You have been heard

We heard your suggestions.  Thanks to those of you who completed the Library survey and suggested that there be more copies of some of the Study Guides.  The Library has added copies of the most popular Study aids - including some Examples and Explanations and  Flash Cards.

See Study Guides for a list of what we have available.

As always, keep the suggestions coming - comment here, drop a note in the Suggestion Box at the Circulation desk, or stop by to chat with your favorite Reference librarian.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Exam Tips 101

Viewed from my napping spot near the Reference Desk, it is obvious that final exam study has started in earnest.  One of my favorite pages of exam tips is "Law School Exam Prep 101" from the Law School Toolbox site.  Because often there's an aspect of studying for or writing exams that concerns a student most, this page links to focused tips on a wide range of topics from "What Makes a Law School Exam Answer "Good"?" to "The Key to Law School Exam Success? Think Like Your Professor." The tips are clear and straightforward; one or two of them may make the difference in your exam performance this semester.  Check them out.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

We will be here for you

Starting Monday, April 28, our ever-friendly, ever-helpful Circulation staff will be here until 11pm in case you need a study guide, flash cards or other Reserve material.  During exams, the Library will be open and staffed:

Mon. 4/28 - Wed. 5/14
Mon-Fri    8am - 11pm
Sat-Sun    10am - 11pm

For Reference librarian availability, see Reference hours.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Help with studying

Study Guides handout has been updated - both in print and online.  We have your favorite series, such as Examples and Explanations, Questions & Answers and Understanding . . .  We also list guides by subject and class, such as Contracts and Evidence .

Print Study Guide copies, for easy reference, are located by the Reference desk.  The Study Guide texts are kept on Reserve.

Good luck !!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Insider's Guide to Studying in the Library

On Wednesday, I gave you some helpful tips for what resources to use to study - try past exams and Study Guides.

Today - I give you the Virtual Cat's insider's guide to where to study.

• For group study - Library Reading Room and down stairs near restrooms - these areas have tables for group study but will not be absolutely quiet.  (Note; only quiet talking here - in consideration for your fellow studiers,  for study breaks best locale is outside of the Library)
• For absolute quiet - down stairs near Room 104 - there are a group of carrels near the stairs that are usually nearly empty
• For very close to absolute quiet - carrels in perimeter of room down stairs near Reference desk
• For study breaks - atrium, student lounge, outside building on a nice day and coffee/snack bar outside Library

Best of luck on your exams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Assistance just a click away

It has been great to see so many of you as I prowl around the Library. I can see you are studying hard. I know that during Exams, taking a walk to the Reference desk with a questions or concerns may seem not worth the time.

Remember that right from your laptop, you can contact us via Chat. So if you need help finding a Study Guide, wish the Library was warmer or colder or have any other concern, send a message from your seat. Since this is a service exclusively for Law Students, we ask that if you do not remember our chat name, stop by the Reference desk (just this once!) for the info.

Good luck with exams and hang in there studying!


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat