The Paper Chase

I have watched this classic law school film multiple times over the years and vividly remember seeing it in the cinema when it first came out (long before I ever ventured across a law school threshold as a 1L student).  Recently I decided to watch it once more because it had been several years since my last viewing. 

The film has always seemed to me to be the perfect commentary on how not to have a study group.  I was reminded of those points once again.  Here are some of the things we learn from the movie:

• A study group needs to have members with the same goals and purposes to avoid logistical and group dynamic problems.
• A study group needs to have some ground rules so that each member knows the responsibilities and etiquette of the group.
• A study group will falter if each person is assigned one course to specialize in because only that one person learns the course well and the others suffer if the expert drops out of the group.
• A study group will have conflict if its members become overly competitive, are argumentative, refuse to negotiate on tasks, or hold others hostage by refusing to share information.
• A study group does not belong to the person who invites others to join; it belongs to everyone and should be cooperative.
• A study group will be disrupted by members who become overwhelmed and are unable to pull their weight in the group.
• If one does not study outlines all semester long and distribute learning the material, it may require holing up for days with no sleep at the end in order to cram.
• Learning styles within a group vary; one person will consider an 800-page outline a treasure while the others will view it as a curse.
• Always have a back up copy of your outline in case your computer crashes (or your outline is accidentally tossed out a window).

My wish for all law students would be to have supportive, cooperative, hard-working study groups without drama and negativity.  (Amy Jarmon)