Finals Finals Finals...SO SO SOON!!!

The Final Final Exam Message

Midterms: Check

Papers: Check

Finals: Ehhh

As the semester comes to a close, you are probably freaking out about finals.  The truth is, Law School exams are different then any other exam you have taken.  They require you to think deeper, come up with solutions, and use the applicable law to come up with a solution or discussion for your paper.  They also come with anonymous grading, so while your class participation may earn you some extra points in the end, the professor won’t know your grade until you find out.  While this time period may be exhausting, nerve racking, or even terrifying; you can get through this and will get through this.  Here are some tips on how to get through this:

1.     Organize your outlines

By now, you have at least learned to organize your outlines.  Finish them up, preferably outlining daily to organize your notes and concepts. 

It may be beneficial to cut your outline down to the necessary components by creating a study outline.  This will allow you to study the necessary pieces of the law and not get bogged down by the additional elements placed in your outline that may be repetitive or not relevant. 

2.     Practice writing out final examinations

Law School Exams are a craft, they require you to look at the issue, rule, analyze the rule with the facts, and conclude, otherwise known as the infamous IRAC.  Practicing this craft in advance will lead to further success by being able to issue spot the facts relevant to the question, match the appropriate law, and successfully conclude why your argument is the best argument.

3.     Meet with your professors

I know, they may scare you in class, but these are the people making the exam and grading the exam…their input on your writing and outlining is crucial!  Meet with them if you feel confused, meet with them to go over practice exams, or even overview of an outline.

4.     The Day Before/Of The Final Exam

a.     Get to bed at a reasonable time-you may think that you can study into the wee hours of the morning, but you need time to rest your brain.

b.     Get some good food in you-I know pizza may be your staple, but brain food is essential to cognitive growth.  Try some of these: https://draxe.com/15-brain-foods-to-boost-focus-and-memory/

c.      Cut off studying after a certain time-I know you think that cramming until the last minute helps, but that last second is proven not to be as beneficial as you may think.  Study hard, but get yourself some rest and relaxation.

d.     Keep calm…which may sound like the last thing you want to do, but freaking out will only make taking a final exam worse.

Law School Exams are a different beast then any other exam you will take.  They require rigor, energy, and memorization.  Study, study, study!!!

Best of Luck! See you next semester! 

https://earlyamericanists.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/end-of-semester.jpg                           

        

Student Organization Spotlight-Phi Alpha Delta

Student Organization Spotlight-Phi Alpha Delta

As the Nation’s Largest Professional Law Fraternity with a commitment to advancing integrity, compassion, and courage through service to the law school and the community!   Founded in 1902 in Chicago, Illinois, this professional fraternity has an impressive list of notable alumni including former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Samuel Alito, Sonya Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan.

Here at Capital University Law School, Phi Alpha Delta seeks to fulfill their national motto of Service to the Student, The Law School, The Profession, and the Legal Community.  To live up to these mottos, the growing student organization networking events, fundraising, and other events to successfully leave their imprint in the Columbus Legal Community, and the Law School. 

If you are interested in learning more about Phi Alpha Delta, both nationally and at Capital University Law School, including recruitment information, please contact, phialphadelta@law.capital.edu.

In the meantime, here are more links to other student organization resources!

Phi Alpha Delta National:

http://www.pad.org/home

Phi Alpha Delta, Hayes Chapter (Capital University Law School):

http://law.capital.edu/PhiAlphaDelta/

Other Student Organizations at Capital University Law School:

http://law.capital.edu/Student_Organizations/

Don’t see a student organization? No problem! If you gather enough friends and classmates together, you can charter your own chapter!

HAPPY 115^th Founders Day Phi Alpha Delta!!! Love, the Capital University Law School Community.

“As citizens, we all have an obligation to intervene and become involved - it's the citizen who changes things”-Jose Saramago

Image taken from pad.org

Anxiety in Law School…Deal with it Sooner Rather then Later

Midterms are over, you’re gearing up to finish your final papers for legal research and writing, and then you realize that finals are around the corner.  If you’re like me, you’ve already freaked out at least once.  Whether it was from that bad paper grade, a rough midterm, or a week you just couldn’t get the reading done, you just have cracked.  First and foremost, BREATHE!   Law School is stressful, no body said it was going to be easy, and if they did, they lied…Law School is hard, no ifs ands or butts.  However, there are ways to deal with this stress and possibly nip it before it crushes you.

Know when you’re stressed:

Sometimes we may think we’re just tired, or that we are running on empty, but maybe it’s more than that, maybe its stress.  Know yourself and recall what stresses you out to get it managed before it leads to detrimental consequences.

Seek Help:

I remember thinking for years that therapy and medication was a sign of weakness…until I got help.  Getting help may seem scary, you don’t want your friends to know you’re struggling, and you don’t want to scare your loved ones…but not getting help and struggling is scarier.  Plenty of schools offer free counseling.

See the following for further reference on what Capital and Capital Law Offer.

http://www.capital.edu/Counseling/

http://law.capital.edu/HealthandFitness/

As always, if you’re feeling stressed, get help sooner than later.

Avoid Substance Abuse:

After a stressful day of school, you may feel the urge to down that bottle of wine, or indulge in other substances.  While the occasional drink is okay, it’s important to remember the statistics.  DrugRehab.com lists attorneys as one of the seven industries that are highly likely to abuse alcohol.   In the first decade of practice, 29 percent of attorneys report having drinking problems, and that number only slightly decreases to 21 percent in the second decade of employment.  Some of these issues may even stem from stress of school.  Again, while the occasional drink is okay, you must know your limit and seek help if these habits start to consume your life.  The Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program (OLAP) is available to help both attorneys and law students. 

Do something you enjoy:

Sometimes, we just need a break from Law School and the stress.  While we can’t find time every day, it’s important to block out some time to do things you love.  Whether that’s going to the gym, baking, museums, etc., take the time to do things you love.  It will give you some balance and bring you up when school is bringing you down.

Additional Resources if you are worried about anxiety:

            http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20646990,00.html

            https://www.ohiolap.org/

https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Anxiety-600X600.jpg