Academic Success at VLGS

Studying law is not like studying in undergraduate or other graduate programs. Academic achievement in law school will require you to revise many of your success strategies and methodologies for reading, note-taking, analysis, writing, organization, and studying. These adjustments are critical to student success in law school!

Home Academic Success

VLGS’s Academic Success Program (ASP) is a department specifically designed to help you learn, develop, and apply a new set of skills. ASP is made up of Professor Jessica Durkis-Stokes (Director), Professor Dayna Smith (Associate Director), Katrina Munyon (Assistant Director), as well as 2nd and 3rd year-student mentors.

As a VLGS student, you can and should access ASP study materials in a variety of ways, including:

The ASP Student Portal: C lick here to open the login to the internal ASP Student Portal site (A VLGS e-mail is required to access)
One-On-One Meetings: Prof. Durkis-Stokes, Prof. Smith and success mentors are available to meet with you one-on-one or in small groups throughout your time at VLGS to assess your learning progress and develop the most effective study strategy for you.
Attend Workshops: ASP hosts many helpful workshops. First-year workshops focus on developing the fundamental skills that will serve you throughout law school, and in achieving the best grades you can. Workshop topics include: Outlining, IRAC & Multiple Choice Strategies, Preparing for Finals, etc.
Visit Student Mentors: Your fellow classmates (2Ls and 3Ls) are available to meet through Teams or in the ASP Resource Room. You can meet with them individually or in a small group. Mentors are available to discuss note-taking, case briefing, time management, study groups, outlining, and preparing for midterms/final exams. Mentors have been there themselves, and can help you figure out what your professors are looking for!
Study Aids/Supplements: Creating your own outlines and study materials is the best way to review and reinforce materials. Study aids and commercial outlines are a great compliment. There are many options for study aids available through ASP and the VLGS Library, tailored to a variety of learning styles and study needs.
Prepare for the Bar: Early awareness, skills development, and disciplined study throughout law school are essential to passing the bar exam—a prerequisite to nearly every legal job. ASP offers many programs during your 2L and 3L years designed to help you pass the bar the first time.
Jump Start: For information about, or next steps involving the Jump Start program, email us at academicsuccess@vermontlaw.edu.