While most law schools leave it largely up to the student to determine how his or her studies are proceeding, Thomas Jefferson helps encourage ongoing assessment and provides support with our Learning Assistants. Learning Assistants are upper level law students who have excelled in their first year courses and who serve as Learning Assistants and receive training to do so. Learning Assistants are familiar with the course content, and they usually are familiar with the professor teaching the course in which they are assisting. They provide frequent study materials for all students in the course, and they are available for regular office hours to help students determine how well they are doing and where they need help. Learning Assistants to not replace the expertise or guidance of course professors, who are available to meet with students regularly regarding questions or concerns about the courses. Instead, Learning Assistants are an additional resource that helps make up the larger Thomas Jefferson learning community.
Our ASP Learning Assistants:
- Help students to facilitate the learning process.
- Listen and communicate respectfully as experienced peers.
- Provide tools and strategies to students, understanding that there are many options and multiple ways to brief a case and to understand and practice legal analysis.
- Focus on encouraging students to see the big picture – how rules interact – not just the parts.
- Help students to improve their classroom participation and remain engaged in class.
- Help students to strengthen their skills of organization, including organizing first year materials like class notes, briefs, outlines and study strategies.
- Identify whether students are under an undue amount of stress and make appropriate referrals to professionals.
- Encourage students to consider whether their competitiveness is harmful or motivating.
- Continue to refresh and refine their own skills and develop expertise in particular subject matters.