Following formatting guidelines in legal writing can feel boring, but it's very important. It shows that students might have some challenges with their research skills. Here are some of those challenges:

1. Staying Consistent: Students often find it hard to keep things the same throughout their documents. Different ways of understanding the guidelines can lead to confusion, making their arguments less clear for readers.

2. Paying Attention to Details: Legal documents need careful attention to things like citations (where they got their information), how headings look, and the spacing. If they miss these details, it can make their work seem unprofessional.

3. Managing Time: Following all the formatting rules can take a lot of time. Sometimes, students focus more on how their work looks instead of what they are really saying about the law. This can make their legal research less effective.

But even with these challenges, students can get better at formatting by:

• Using Templates: Giving students templates can show them how to format correctly from the beginning.
• Holding Workshops: Workshops that focus on formatting can help students learn the guidelines better.
• Encouraging Peer Review: Having friends check each other’s work can create a team atmosphere where students can help fix formatting mistakes.

In summary, even though formatting can be tricky, getting the right support can really help students improve their legal research skills.