Melbourne Law School’s EAGLE Program is dedicated to helping first and second year JD students develop their legal academic skills and successfully navigate law school. (EAGLE stands for Early Academic Guidance for Legal Education.)
How does it work?
In a small group setting, a senior JD student (the ‘facilitator’) will take students through important academic skills relevant to their JD studies.
The First Year Program is designed to equip first-year JD students with the fundamental tools for success at law school. Sessions include:
- Reading and note-taking
- How to write answers to hypothetical problems (with a focus on your Obligations and Contracts mid-semester assignments plus exams for all subjects)
- How to construct a legal memo for both PPL and Disputes and Ethics
- How to research and write legal essays for subjects like Torts and Legal Theory
- How to prepare and practice for oral presentations
- How to make notes for exams
- How to prepare for exams
The Second Year Program builds on key academic skills learned in first-year with an additional focus on career development. Sessions include:
- Resume and cover letter writing
- Networking and interviewing skills
- How to approach clerkships, internships and non legal career opportunities
- How to approach a 3-day take-home exam such as Evidence and Proof
- How to approach challenging and lengthy hypothetical problems for Administrative Law and Property
- Legal Research
The EAGLE sessions are also a safe and supportive environment for students to ask any questions they may have about law life, including:
- Time management strategies
- How to access MLS’ wellbeing resources
- International and internship opportunities
- How to find law-related work and volunteering opportunities
- How to become involved in extracurricular activities at MLS
While the EAGLE program is an optional part of the first and second year JD curriculum, the more sessions you attend, the better you’ll be prepared to handle your JD studies. Not only will you gain invaluable academic skills, you can also network with your peers!
How do I register for EAGLE?
Registration is essential, but classes are optional so there is no commitment to attend each week (even though we would highly recommend it!).
REGISTER HERE for the First-Year program.
REGISTER HERE For the Second-Year Program.
If you have difficulty, contact chantal.morton@unimelb.edu.au.
In 2023, classes are conducted both in person and online through Zoom.
2023 EAGLE Session Outline
There are two programs for JD students – one for first year students, and another for second years – so make sure you are looking at the right one for you!
The EAGLE Session Outlines for Semester 1 2023:
First Year Program, First Semester
| EAGLE Weekly Schedule | |
| Session 1
(week starting 7 March) |
Building on Previous Experience and LMR |
| Session 2
(week starting 14 March) |
Writing research essays & approaching group assignments (Torts assignment) |
| Session 3
(week starting 21 March) |
Answering Hypotheticals (Obligations Assignment) |
| Session 4
(week starting 28 March) |
Writing Legal Memos & Introduction to AGLC (PPL Assignment) |
| Session 5
(week starting 4 April) |
Time Management & Wellbeing |
| Session 6
(week starting 11 April) |
Looking Back on Semester and Looking Forward to Exams (social session!) |
| Mid-Semester Break | |
| Session 7
(week starting 25 April) |
Creating Exam Ready Notes and Doing Practice Exams |
| Session 8
(week starting 2 May) |
Preparing for Exam Essays |
| Session 9
(week starting 9 May) |
Exam Hypothetical 1 (subject TBC) and Timing Strategy |
| Session 10
(week starting 16 May) |
Exam Hypothetical 2 (subject TBC) and Reading Time Strategies |
| Session 11
(week starting 23 May) |
Exam Hypothetical 3 (subject TBC) and Approaching SWOTVAC/ Exam Period
|
Second Year Program, First Semester
Class 1 (Week 2) – Preparation for all core subjects from the very start (studying techniques, interim assessments, final exams)
Class 2 (Week 3) – Statutory Interpretation (Admin interim and exam)
Class 3 (Week 4) – Multiple choice techniques for Property Interim and OLAM (Admin interim), hypothetical writing techniques for Property exam
Class 4 (Week 5) – Elective Assessments and Careers discussion (applying for clerkships, legal clinics and internships)
Class 5 (Week 6) – Statutory interpretation for the exam (Admin)
Class 6 (Week 7) – Advanced hypothetical writing techniques for Property exam
Class 7 (Week 8) – Exam essays, and making notes for in-person exams
Class 8 (Week 9) – Preparing for the Evidence Exam
Class 9 (Week 10) – Preparing for the Evidence Exam
Class 10 (Week 11) – Preparing for the Admin Exam under simulated exam conditions
Class 11 (Week 12) – Preparing for the Property Exam under simulated exam conditions
Please contact the EAGLE Program Student Coordinators if you have any questions or issues.