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!

Student Organization Spotlight! The Student Bar Association

Student Organization Spotlight: The Student Bar Association (SBA)

Want to be part of something everyone is involved in?  Look no further then the Student Bar Organization (SBA)!  All Law Students are members of the SBA, a student run government organization that works side-by-side with the school administration in matters such as school policies and school leadership.  In addition, the SBA fosters strong relationships between the student body and faculty, administration, and other facets of the legal community.  The SBA offers a plethora of leadership opportunities for both day and evening students.  Whether it’s a position on the executive board, or one of the various committees throughout the school, the SBA can offer opportunities for each and every student!

 

Want to be part of the organization that encompasses the entire student body? Elections are held in the spring for most executive positions, with appointments being made after elections conclude.

Further Questions? You can reach the SBA by emailing sba@law.capital.edu to learn more about executive board positions, the requirements to be an executive board member, as well as the opportunities available to sit on committees, including the admissions committee, helping to shape the future classes!

https://msulawsba.org/

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                           

        

Preparing for Final Exams-How Preparation Now Can Lead to Long-Term Success

Final Exams...

By now, you’re through most of your midterms, if not all of them, are turning in your final legal writing assignments, and hopefully have looked to see when your final exams are.  This last month is important, as you are tying up those loose ends on course material, and beginning to organize your notes into some form of an outline, if you have not already.  Around now, you probably should start preparing for final exams, and these are the reasons why:

1. Preparation early will help you brush up on subjects you may have struggled with in earlier weeks

Perhaps you didn’t make it into office hours when you were confused on acquisition by capture and simply put it on the back burner, this is the time to see what you know.  If you’re unsure of something, schedule an appointment with your professor, get the right answer, and apply it to paper.  There is nothing worse then missing points because you mismatched topics due to confusion.

2.  Practice CAN Help

Law School Exams are unlike anything you have ever experienced.  They force you to think about multiple perspectives and apply 14-weeks of material into a three-hour examination.  With this plethora of information, you are required to argue the law as it applies to your facts.  If your professors didn’t give you midterms, then your final is the first and only chance to impress them with your knowledge.  Even if your professor has given mid terms, ask for more practice questions to work on, multiple choice, and essay.  In addition, ask what resources for practice questions the professors can recommend.  Once you’ve practiced, be sure to meet with them.  Figuring out how a professor likes their exams approached, especially with essays, is paramount to success.

3. It Builds Confidence

Perhaps you had a bad week and felt like you know nothing from the last semester.  Practice can reinforce that you know more than you think, leading to better study habits, and ultimately a better grade outcome.

4. It Keeps you from Panicking

If you’re like me, you’ve likely panicked at least once already.  Practice can calm some of those nerves. 

 

As you’re preparing for finals, some final notes:

     Keep calm

     Ask for help if you need it

     Practice Practice Practice!

     Study Study Study!

Images Taken From:

http://www.generalacademic.com/final-exams-15-checklist-form.html

https://i2.wp.com/savemyhsc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Preparation-tips-for-the-HSC-English-Exams.jpg?ssl=1

http://blog.questia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/final_exam-300x199.jpg