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! 

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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/

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Maintaining your “Best-Self” in Law School: The Importance of Well-Being and Self-Care

Maintaining your “Best-Self” in Law School: The Importance of Well-Being and Self-Care

Law School is a different creature then undergraduate or any other type of education you may have received; it takes time, tactic, and working smart to learn the vast amounts of material while keeping a level head and getting to the final exam.  You may be just getting your schedule, looking at first assignments, and saying to yourself “how am I going to ever make time for myself?” 

The truth is, it’s difficult to make time for yourself while in Law School, especially when you don’t know how to study or what is important (hint, it’s all important, but prioritization is key).   With all this reading, little understanding on what you’re reading, and a schedule that keeps you at the school for eight hours, you may think that living at the school and sustaining on pizza and fast food is the best idea…unfortunately, from experience, this lifestyle doesn’t work long-term and the exhaustion eventually catches up to you, turning into stress, then into anxiety causing your studying and general well-being to suffer.   While it seems impossible to make a balance, it’s key to survival and your overall success to law school. 

1.     Create a Schedule…and Stick to it.  I know, it’s difficult, especially when you’re starting 1L and have no clue what to expect, but scheduling your sleep, exercise, studying, and class preparation can help you to find some balance.  It’s also important to schedule some “me-time” and to find some time to do things you enjoy, if only just once a week.

2.     Pick a daily cut-off time for studying and homework.  You may have been able to pull an all-nighter in undergraduate (I never pulled them, but I remember many of my friends sitting in the commons from sun-down to sun-up), but in Law School, there’s nothing worse then being exhausted from studying, then getting cold-called on by a professor.  Set a daily cut-off time for studying.  For example, if your studying cut-off is 7:00 PM, stick to it.  After 7, you stop all studying, law-school related stuff, and take some time for you to rest, go to the gym, etc.  You’ll thank yourself ultimately for taking this time and giving yourself the ability to relax…if only just slightly. 

3.     Relax…its just Law School.  I know this is easier said then done, but freaking out will lead to nothing but difficulties and may ultimately harm you rather then help you.  I remember freaking out to a friend who was getting ready to graduate, and he told me a professor told him to “relax, its just Law School.”  I almost laughed when he told me this, but it’s true.  You’re taking on a mentally and intellectually challenging feat that many choose not to do because it’s so difficult, so try to relax, you’ll reach your goals ultimately…but only if you relax and do not overthink.

These things I have mentioned take time, but mastering Law School takes time, it’s about learning your method, and lots of trial and error to get to that ultimate goal of earning the coveted J.D. and passing the bar exam.  If you’re not taking the time for yourself and working on a schedule, this trial and error can prove much more difficult.  Keep pushing, asking questions, and when in doubt, remember “its just law school.” 

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