Our last 1L Hack

The time is winding down😔. As we move closer and closer to the end of the semester, and the highly anticipated finals week, here are some tips to get you through Thanksgiving break as a law student:

• Give yourself permission to take a break! We as law student sometimes feel so guilty about taking a break that we don't get to enjoy the holiday. It is perfectly fine to use parts of your break to give yourself a recharge. The time with your family and friends and hearing their encouraging and supportive words may be just what you need to return back to school and get the job done!
• Create REALISTIC GOALS for what you want and need to accomplish over the holiday break. Students (especially me) usually pack every single casebook, supplement, and notebook because they just KNOW they're going to study everything they brought home over the break.  Usually when we create unrealistic goals for ourselves, we give up as soon as we realize that it's not actually possible and end up not doing anything at all. Don't be that student! Set your realistic goals now!
• Create a schedule and STICK. TO. IT! This goes with the aforementioned statement. If you create a schedule to accomplish specific goals, make sure you stick to it. Make sure you put plans with family and friends in your schedule so that you can be sure you'll meet your goals. You could study all morning and spend the evenings with family. You could spend entire days studying and use one or two days out of the break to spend time with family and friends. How ever you prefer to make your schedule, make sure you stick to it. 
• Get some sleep, PLEASE! Make sure you come back from Thanksgiving break refreshed and ready to attack those finals!

See you all next semester!

The Final Blog...For Now

The Final Blog…

 

Well, just for now!  Wow, we’ve made it through yet another year of Law School!  For you 1L’s, this means that you’re a third of the way through your legal education, for the 2L’s, you’re one year closer to that coveted Juris Doctor, and for the 3Ls, you’re one step closer to the bar examination and being an attorney! 

First and foremost, you should be congratulating yourself.  This year (or years) have been a lot, taken time away from other things you may have been considering, but you’ve gotten through another year and that is something to celebrate!  Well, you should wait until after finals at least, but be sure to celebrate this amazing milestone of getting through another step on the path to being a lawyer!

As you gear up for finals and the summer, take some time to reflect on the academic year.  What worked well?  What didn’t work so well?  What lessons will you take into your 2L and 3L years or for Bar Preparation?  What fascinated you? What could you live without?  Taking a look back will help you to further your education as you plan for your future. 

With finals, make sure you start practicing now by taking practice exams should your professor have them available (or make your own).  Finalize your outlines and ask any questions to problems you may be unsure of.  If you didn’t meet with your professors from previous finals, now may be a good time to do so to see where you fell short to correct for these upcoming finals!  Finally (no pun intended) RELAX! You have come this far, you know what to expect on final exams and have learned some study habits, so take it easy on yourself!

Enjoy your summers, whether you are working, taking classes, externing, or studying for the bar exam, we know it will be great!

It has been a pleasure serving as your lead student ambassador and I look forward to seeing the success you all bring into the world!

As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”  As law students and future attorneys, you have taken the first steps in your journey to change the world, and we look forward to seeing these changes!

 

So for now, study hard, ace those final exams, and celebrate!

To our graduating 3L’s, we wish you the best of luck and will miss you!  To our rising 1L’s, 2L’s, 3L’s and our 4L’s, we will see you in the fall!

Images Courtesy of: 

https://www.tuskegee.edu

Huffingtonpost.com

Legalcheek.com

Spotlight on the Alumni Recognition Luncheon

Spotlight on: Alumni Recognition Luncheon

 

Each year, Capital University Law School hosts the Alumni Recognition Luncheon.  This annual event honors Capital University Law School Alumni who have made an impact in the Law School, the field of law, or the community!

This year, the following alumni will be presented with awards:

Gretchen K. Mote, L’78

            The Josiah H. Blackmore, II              Award                                          (L-R: Gretchen Mote, Erika Smitherman, Hannah Botkin                                                                          Doty. Gregory S. Lashutka, and Celia Kilgard Schnupp).

                                                                  Source: Law.Capital.Edu 

The Josiah H. Blackmore Dean’s Award recognizes outstanding service to the Law School and the Dean’s Office.  The award is named in honor of Capital’s University’s former president, Law School Dean and professor emeritus.  President Blackmore’s influence in the history and continued viability of the Law School cannot be underestimated.

Erika Smitherman, L’00

            Alumni Outstanding Service Award

The Alumni Outstanding Service Award is given annually to a Capital University Law School JD alumnus/alumna who has performed significant voluntary service, beyond the call of business or professional duty, to his/her community and/or Capital University Law School. 

Hannah Botkin-Doty, L’13

            G.O.L.D Award

The G.O.L.D Award is given annually to a Capital University Law School JD “Graduate of the Last Decade” who has made significant achievements in his/her occupation and has made notable contributions to the legal profession and/or the Law School. 

Gregory S. Lashutka, L’74

            Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award

The Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award is given annually to a Capital University Law School JD alumnus/alumna who has made significant achievements in his/her legal occupation and has made notable contributions to the legal profession, community and the Law School through his/her activities and accomplishments.

Celia Kilgard Schnupp, L’09

            Young Alumnus of the Year Award  

The Young Alumnus of the Year Award is given annually to a living, Capital University Law School JD alumnus/alumna who is 40 years old or younger and who has made significant achievements in his/her legal occupation and has made notable contributions to the legal profession and the community. 

The 13^th Annual Alumni Recognition Reception will be held:

Friday, April 13, 2018
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM   
Sheraton Columbus Hotel on Capitol Square

For more information, including how to nominate alumni and faculty for 2019, please visit: http://law.capital.edu/AlumniRecognitionLuncheon/

Congratulations to the 2018 Recipients!!!