From the start preparation is essential

To stay at the top of the forced curve and guarantee yourself a solid summer associate position after your 2L year, you need to be one step ahead of your classmates from day one.
Anything you can do to familiarize yourself with your law school classes before matriculating will be helpful in setting you apart from your classmates. For example, I advise the students in Stratus Preps annual Law School Bootcamp program to read a variety of course specific study guides during the summer before their 1L year.