Law School Academic Support Blog

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2018!

Dear Readers,

Thank you for reading the Law School Academic Support Blog this past year. All of us here at the Blog wish you the happiest of holidays and best wishes for the new year that is fast approaching.

We are taking a short break from posting to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends and to snatch some rest. Postings will start up again on January 2nd.

All the very best!

The Law School Academic Support Blog Editorial Staff

 

 

Holiday Cartoons

Please enjoy these holiday cartoons from the internet. (Kirsha Trychta)

 

 

 

  

"The Road Less Traveled"

 

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost

We are all travelers in this journey of life.  It seems to me that I've been traveling some pretty busy and clogged highways as of late.  You see, I'm constantly on the internet - from email to the web and on every road in between.  Perhaps you too.  

But, I noticed something extraordinary wonderful this week.  The emails have slowed, nearly to a stand still.  It's provided me with a very special gift at this holiday time. A chance to reflect, to ponder, to observe, to relate to others, and even an opportunity to settle back and read a real book (one with pages that you turn by hand, almost like those old, very old cars, with cranks to open and close car windows rather than electronic switches that zip windows up and down in a flash).

Interestingly, it seems like too much of a good thing can, well, be too much. And, the internet with its numerous electronic enticements and inducements might just be that good thing that can easily take over our lives.

Obviously, I'm not against the internet.  I'm on it right now as I write this blog.  But, according to researcher Dr. Steven Illardi at the University of Kansas, too much reliance on technological wizardly can be hazardous to one's well-being:  

"Labor-saving inventions, from the Roomba to Netflix spare us the arduous tasks of our grandparents’ generation. But small actions like vacuuming and returning videotapes can have a positive impact on our well-being. Even modest physical activity can mitigate stress  and stimulate the brain’s release of dopamine and serotonin—powerful neurotransmitters that help spark motivation and regulate emotions. Remove physical exertion, and our brain’s pleasure centers can go dormant."  https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-personal-tech-is-depressing

In the midst of this holiday season, why not take the "road less traveled" by giving yourself a wonderful gift by unplugging from the internet, even if just for one day.  But first, let me be frank.  Unplugging is not for the faint of heart; it takes purposefully choosing to travel down a different road, which perhaps at first blush, seems like a very lonely and difficult road.  

You see, as Dr. Illardi relates, there's a research "study from 2010, in which about 1,000 students at 19 universities around the world pledged to give up all screens for 24 hours. Most students dropped out of the study in a matter of hours, and many reported symptoms of withdrawal associated with substance addiction."  In other words, in choosing to take this road less traveled, even for just 24 hours, be ready to be ambushed by your own mind.  

But, there's great news for those who kept moving on the "road less traveled" by staying unplugged for 24 hours.  As Dr. Illardi states, "[T]hose who pushed through the initial discomfort and completed the experiment discovered a surprising array of benefits: greater calm, less fragmented attention, more meaningful conversations, deeper connections with friends and a greater sense of mindfulness."

So, as I wrap up my final blog of 2017, I'm about to go dark...I'll be shortly turning of the power switches to my computer and my so-called smart phone.  At least based on the research, that's a very smart road to travel on.  I'd love for you to travel with me and let me know how it goes!  (Scott Johns).

 

 

 

Looking To A Fresh Start

This week, I find myself void of creativity, innovation, and energy.  My energy and strength were transferred to all of the students I interacted with over the last two to three weeks.  On a daily basis, I have managed to complete only one administrative or planning task simply because emotions related to the preparation, anticipation, and taking of exams consumed my attention. 

Student questions, concerns, and desires to debrief post exam consumed the remainder of the work day.  Today is the last and final day of exams and I am almost as depleted as the students I see roaming the halls of the building.  I, therefore, look forward to a short break within the next few days.

Although nervous energy consumed the hall outside the exam rooms; students remained filled with hope as they discussed their plans for the break.  I was mistaken for an exam taker by a proctor, gave my final pep talk of the semester, and smiled as each student entered the exam room. 

All the very best to students everywhere!  Enjoy your break, see you next year, and remember these few quotes:

“Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over” - Guy Finley

“And now let us welcome the new year, full of things that never were”- Rainer Maria Rilke

“The beginning is always today” - Mary Wollstonecraft

(Goldie Pritchard)

Shopper's Guide to Bar Review Products, 2 of 2

In this two-part series, I hope to provide you with the information you'll need to make an informed decision when you select which commercial company (or companies) you'll use to prepare for the bar exam.  In Part 1, I introduced you to both full-service courses and supplemental specialty options.  Now, in Part 2, I'll offer some tips and suggestions on how to make your final decision and how to get the best price.

Tip 1: Try Before You Buy

All of the full-service companies offer a free MPRE course.  You should sign-up for all of the MPRE courses so that you can take a "test drive" of each company's software, digital platform, and print materials.  You may find that you really like one company's website or print materials more than the others.  For the specialty supplements, ask your academic support or bar support professor if they have any sample materials for you to review.  Most professors get free sample copies of bar preparation materials, like the Critical Pass flashcards and Rigos outline books.  And, if your professor doesn't have a copy to show you, check the law school library. 

Tip 2: Haggle for Discounts

Most would agree that if you pay sticker price for a car or any product at Bed, Bath & Beyond (20% off coupons!), then you're a fool.  The same is true for bar review courses.  You can always get some sort of discount, if you're willing to put in a little bit of effort. 

First, register for the MPRE course.  In addition to the benefit of the test-drive mentioned above, you'll likely get a coupon for a few dollars off their full-review course.  The emailed coupon will say something like, "Did you like the MPRE course?  If so, buy our comprehensive bar review course.  Here's a $50 coupon if you sign-up before the deadline."  You'll also get alerted to any flash-sales that the company might be offering.  (Getting too many promotional emails?  Every email comes with an "opt out" or "unsubscribe" link at the bottom, so you can choose to stop receiving the promotional emails at any time.)

Second, ask the salesperson if you qualify for any special discounts.  Students with a public interest law affiliation, bar association membership, or demonstrated financial hardship typically qualify for a discounted rate.  These discounts may not be advertised; instead, you'll need to affirmatively ask about them.

Third, ask if the company is willing to price match.  Some companies will match (or even beat) your best written offer, much like a car dealership or major retail store.

Fourth, ask for an interest-free payment plan, if you can't afford the upfront cost.  Your financial aid office may also be able to re-structure your financial aid package during your last year of law school to help you with bar-exam related costs.

Tip 3: Consider Bidding for a Course

Most students will purchase their bar review course directly from the company.  But each year a handful of students get a great deal on a course through some third-party source, such as a law school's public interest auction, student organization raffle, or scholarship program.  Before putting down any non-refundable deposit, you should investigate whether your school will be offering an opportunity to bid on a course or apply for a scholarship program. 

Tip 4: Read the Contract

Treat the bar review course buying experience like a major financial transaction.  Read all of the paperwork that is presented to you.  Negotiate.  Don't sign anything that you don't understand or agree with.  Remember, you actually have a lot of power in this buyer-seller relationship because there a lot of companies all vying for the same, small target audience (namely: you).  If you need help with the process, ask you academic support or bar support professor for guidance.

Tip 5: Wait Until, at least, 2L Year to Commit

There is very little benefit to putting down a non-refundable deposit with a company during your first-year of law school.  Just wait.  Shop around and get to know the lay-of-the-land before committing to a $1,500-$2,500 deal.  During that time you can investigate your third-party options and get quotes from all of the vendors.  You may also make a new friend or join a study group during law school.  If so, you may want to buy the same course as your study buddy to better enable you to study together during bar prep season.  In short, you really don't need to have everything ironed until the start of your final semester of school.

(Kirsha Trychta)

Congratulations to ASP and Bar Colleagues

Hearty congratulations to all of our ASP and bar prep colleagues for another semester of caring about and helping students! You are often the unsung heroes at your law schools. But those of us who share the commitment to students recognize your hard work. We appreciate the ideas you pass on to the rest of us regularly. We know you are an ever-present network of support behind each of us as ASP and bar prep professionals.

It has been a very busy fall semester. We congratulate you on the many hours you listened to, encouraged, prodded, and supported students. We all have memories of students' successes and stumbles and their laughter and tears from this semester. As grades come in, we will be cheering with some and consoling others. As graduates gear up to take - or retake - the February bar, we will be alongside them.

You may be tired right now. You may be dealing with staff shortages or budget cuts. You may be adding more duties to your already overloaded job description. You may even be a bit discouraged.

Now is the point in the semester to take some time to sit quietly and reflect on your many accomplishments. Remember the times when you made students' journeys more bearable because of encouraging them to persevere, believing in them, and providing strategies to assist in their success. Cast your eye down the lists of names for December graduates and fall bar passers and realize how many of their lives you touched for the better. Reread the thank you emails and notes you received over recent semesters.

Well done, colleagues. You matter. You make a difference every single day.

Relax and rest during the days you have off in coming weeks - whether a short holiday break or a full semester break. Recharge your batteries. Your students and graduates will once again need your expertise when the new semester begins. (Amy Jarmon)

 

 

 

Congratulations to First-Year Students!

Most of our first-year students have now completed their first semester of law school! Congratulations to all of you for hard work and perseverance! You deserve a round of applause and pats on the back for all of the things you have accomplished. At times the legal jargon, workload, and challenges of legal thinking and writing may have seemed overwhelming. But you did it! Wow!

Let's look at some of the things you accomplished this semester:

• You learned a new vocabulary of specialized legal terms and every-day terms that have a different legal meaning.
• You learned how the federal and state court systems work - in more detail than you ever thought you needed to know.
• You learned how the federal and state legislative systems work - with all the political and balance of powers nuances that cause complexity.
• You researched a variety of issues, drafted a variety of legal communications, and condensed your thoughts into precise, concise legal prose.
• You read and analyzed hundreds of court opinions, waded through an avalanche of uniform code and restatement sections, and parsed multi-layered rules of procedure.
• You survived the deer-in-the-headlights moments of Socratic Method and learned to think on your feet while answering questions you had not known even existed.
• You then synthesized and condensed it all into outlines to study for exams that encompassed an entire semester's learning.
• You reviewed reams of outline pages, completed practice questions ad nauseum, and distilled it all into attack outlines.
• You spent long blocks of time sitting in exam rooms applying your knowledge to  a sea of fact patterns as your fingers cramped from typing.
• You learned how to deal with section dynamics, made some new friends for life, challenged yourself intellectually, and learned from legal experts.
• You participated in student organizations, listened to guest speakers on topics you knew nothing about before, and likely participated in community service.

Did you realize that you did all of that in just five short months? Hooray! Huzzah! Whoop-whoop! Cheers! Enjoy your semester break. Spend time with friends and family. Catch up on sleep. Relax. We are all proud of you for your accomplishments and look forward to seeing you at the beginning of a new semester. (Amy Jarmon)

 

Students Coping with Anxiety

Anxiety is an issue for many college students. More of our law students are arriving on our campuses with a history of test anxiety, general anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attacks, or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). All of us in ASP and bar prep have worked with law students to help them cope with these aspects of their lives. The Chronicle of Higher Education recently had an article with a video in which five college students share how they cope and what they want others to know: Facing Anxiety. The Chronicle is joining the non-profit Active Minds in collecting students' stories. (Amy Jarmon)

Reminder AALS Section on Academic Support Sessions in San Diego

The AALS Annual Meeting is fast approaching! This year's meeting is in San Diego on January 3 - 6, 2018. Registration for the conference is still possible: Information and Registration. The business meeting for the Section on Academic Support is scheduled for 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 5th. At that meeting the slate of officers/board members will be voted on and the section award will be presented. In addition, section members can sign up for committees, and other items of business can be raised. On Saturday, January 6th, the section program "Equal Access to Justice: Supporting Law Students from Diverse Backgrounds from Admission Through the Bar Exam" will be held from 9:00 a.m. - noon. We are excited to have an extended program slot this year! We hope you will be able to join us in San Diego!

Setting the Stage: A Learner-Centered Syllabus vs. A Teacher-Centered Syllabus?

As they say, first impressions matter.

That got me thinking about the sorts of first impressions I am making with my students when the first contact that I have with most of my students is, unfortunately, often through my course syllabus.  So, with finals nearly over for the fall term, I am taking a fresh look at my course syllabus to try to look at my syllabus from the viewpoint of my students.  

What tone does my syllabus set?

What does it say about our upcoming term together?  

Does my syllabus present the course as a "painstakingly dull walk through a dimly lit path" or does it "shine with adventures in learning?" 

Well, truth be told, my syllabus is rather drab, littered with dates and topics and reading assignments but really without much of a heart of excitement.  And yet, I really am excited about working with my students next semester with the goal of embarking on a richly-awarding journey together in learning. So, why not make that excitement shine in my syllabus?  But how?

Well, here are a just a few free resources that I came across to help me evaluate, reflect, and re-write my syllabus so that I can better set the stage for an exciting adventure of learning with my students next term.

First, I love Cornell University's "Course Decision Guide" because it walks through step-by-step reflective questions to help me "size up" my course before I re-draft my syllabus in terms of learning objectives, learning activities, formative assessment activities, resource issues, student motivation, summative assessment, etc.  https://www.cte.cornell.edu/CourseDecisionGuide

Second, I appreciate the insights shared by Mary Bart in her article entitled "A Learner-Centered Syllabus Helps Set the Tone for Learning," reminding me in a "big picture sort-of-way" of concrete tips to set a positive learning environment right from the get-go just by how I frame my course description, for instance, in my syllabus.  https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-classroom-management/a-learner-centered-syllabus-helps-set-the-tone-for-learning/

With these resources as a initial start, I'm off to re-envision my syllabus so that the first impression that I make with my students next semester is hopefully a positive one that gets us started off strong on a cooperative learning experience together.  Let the adventure begin...with me rethinking and remaking me (or at least my syllabus)! (Scott Johns).

When the Screen Freezes

How individuals manage difficult moments or periods of crisis is very telling of who they are as individuals, their perseverance, and their strength. As the title states, what happens when students are in the process of taking an exam and the computer screen goes blank or freezes? This might be a remote possibility if the student has done everything to ensure that the laptop and software are in perfect working order but unforeseen circumstances inevitably do occur. I always encourage students to mentally prepare for the worst case scenario and consider how they would address such a situation. There are three general categories of reactions I have observed students adopt.

(1) It’s over.

These individuals are in complete panic and cannot get past the fact that something went wrong. They might even be paralyzed, unable to move forward, and unable to adopt a new course. They are doing all they can to ensure that the computer will work again. They lose precious time but have convinced themselves that there is no other way they can complete the task. They are preventing themselves from moving forward in an effective and efficient way. They might even throw in the towel and give up at this point. This is a defeatist attitude which is not helpful on the exam or in the future.

(2) I can’t do this.

These individuals panic and might even say to themselves a number of negative things but they will ultimately complete the task at hand. These individuals are frustrated and thrown off by the sudden development but are somehow able to get it together and complete the task at hand. The negative self-talk is a defense mechanism used to cope with the stress but despite the discomfort, they finish the exam by handwriting in a Bluebook.

(3) I can do this.

These individual are accustomed to facing challenges and adversity in life and solving problems; therefore, they tackle the situation head-on. While they initially may be thrown off by the turn of events, they nevertheless go on and face the challenge. They might immediately start writing in a Bluebook while simultaneously attempting to reboot their computer but they continue to proceed with the work. The frustration often kicks in after the exam is turned in because they were on autopilot during the exam.

Of course, people will react in different ways depending on their level of comfort with the subject area, perceived and actual difficulty, and ability to manage crisis situations. Having a plan for whatever worse case situation can be helpful if you are ever faced with such a situation or one similar to what you have anticipated. (Goldie Pritchard)

Shopper's Guide to Bar Review Products, 1 of 2

In this two-part series, I hope to provide you with the information you'll need to make an informed decision when you select which commercial company (or companies) you'll use to prepare for the bar exam.  In Part 1, I'll introduce you to both full-service review courses and specialty supplemental options.  Then, in Part 2, I'll offer some tips on how to make your final decision and how to get the best price.

The three most popular companies offering comprehensive, full service bar review preparation programs are Barbri, Kaplan, and Themis.

Barbri is the oldest and most popular choice, and also tends to be the most expensive, with programs currently starting at $2,895. Barbri offers live lectures at select cities nationwide and pre-recorded online lectures for those students studying in cities without live lectures.  According to a Barbri representative, "For nearly 50 years, BARBRI has helped over 1.2 million law school graduates pass the bar exam across all 50 states, in all jurisdictions. Our courses include access to cutting-edge learning technology like our Personal Study Plan, Essay Architect, and LawMaster Study Keys. With BARBRI, you’ll have the ability to complete the course completely online or attend a lecture in a classroom setting – we’ve got all your bases covered! When it comes to your bar exam, don’t leave it up to chance and go with the most experienced and tested course!" 

Kaplan began decades ago as a multiple-choice focused company (then-called PMBR), and now offers a full-service package starting at $1,599.  According to a Kaplan representative, Kaplan Bar Review offers a comprehensive bar review course that is tailored to each student, and includes: (a) over 4,000 practice MBE questions; (b) unlimited essay grading with over 200 practice essays, each graded by barred attorneys; (c) two full-length MBE practice tests and one full-length practice bar exam under timed conditions; (d) a personalized final study plan tailored to each student’s unique strengths and weaknesses; and (e) a money-back guarantee.  Kaplan offers both live lectures in select cities and pre-recorded online lectures.  In addition, Kaplan has a Price Match Guarantee, pledging to offer their course for $100 less than the price of any other company’s course.

Themis, is the newest of the three companies, and has quickly made a name for itself, with comprehensive on-demand courses starting at $1,845, before applicable discounts.  Unlike its competitors, Themis does not offer any live lectures; all the lectures are pre-recorded.  Themis representatives boast that "Themis is built around learning science to help you study for the bar more efficiently and effectively.  Themis is the only company that releases their pass rates, which are almost always better than students who choose to take another course.  And with Themis, the course schedule adapts as you fall behind or work ahead, helping to keep you focused on what you need for exam day.  Also, Themis lectures are broken up into manageable chunks, allowing students to spend more or less time with a particular topic as needed."

In addition to the three juggernauts, numerous other companies offer a variety of a la carte services.

Adaptibar focuses exclusively on the multiple-choice component of the bar exam, offering 1,745 practice questions, most of which were obtained through a licensing agreement with the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The MBE course cost $395.

AmeriBar is lesser-known than some of it's full-service competitors, but offers a full course starting at $1,365.  AmeriBar also sells each exam component separately (e.g. $695 for the multi-state section), for those who want to create their own study package.  According to their website, AmeriBar's full review program includes "3,000+ pages of hard copy books; 1,000+ learning questions; 1,400+ actual released MBE questions; and 200+ essay questions."  

Critical Pass sells pre-printed flashcards covering the multiple-choice subjects. The 380 cards are color-coded, cross-referenced, and organized by subject and sub-topic, including indexes for each subject. Currently retailing for $149, the price includes free shipping and access to a companion mobile app.

Strategies & Tactics for the MBE, part of the Emanuel Bar Review, offers advice on how to analyze multiple-choice questions, including details on how to handle each MBE subject, step-by-step strategies for analyzing different question types, tips about how subtle differences in wording can completely change the meaning of an answer, and strategies for "rewording" questions in your mind to make them easier to analyze.  The 6th edition of this workbook currently retails on Amazon for $75.

Rigos offers several different packages ranging from outline books ($400 for the set of 5) to a full UBE course ($2,495).  Rigos is perhaps most popular for its creation of acronyms and mnemonics to help you easily memorize elements covering frequently asked legal concepts.  Rigos also offers a free MPRE course and a free 30-question multiple-choice assessment.

(Kirsha Trychta)

Position Opening for Assistant Professor/Director for Center for Academic and Bar Readiness at La Verne

La Verne College of Law is seeking a Director for CABR. Please see a brief description below. If anyone is interested, you can apply here.

The University of La Verne College of Law seeks an experienced, energetic, and dynamic person to serve as an Assistant Professor and Director in its Center for Academic and Bar Readiness (CABR.) The person in this position will assist students in developing the skills necessary for success in law school and on the bar exam. The position is a twelve-month contract, non-tenure track faculty position that includes both teaching and administrative components; after an initial probationary period, the applicant will be eligible for graduated multi-year renewals. The person hired will have faculty status and be permitted to vote on matters other than tenure/tenure track promotion and hiring.

The person hired will work closely with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Assistant Dean for CABR, members of the CABR faculty, and the faculty at large. The successful applicant will:

• Advance La Verne Law’s mission to guide our students in the discovery of law and self as they prepare for the practice of law and other professional careers.
• Advance CABR’s departmental mission to provide an innovative, constantly evolving program that employs sound educational principles to help students to achieve their highest academic potential by cultivating and enhancing their academic skills.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills and work effectively as part of a team.
• Supervise CABR faculty members by providing training and development to be used in teaching both academic skills and bar preparation courses.
• Work with the Assistant Dean of CABR to develop a budget and track program expenses
• Monitor contract compliance with vendors
• Assist in the development and implementation of new programs that will engage current COL students and increase academic and bar readiness skills.
• Demonstrate familiarity with ABA standards on legal education.
• Collect and analyze empirical data related to CABR program outcomes.
• Participate in program review and assessment initiatives.
• Teach skills and substantive content to enhance student academic and bar readiness.
• Provide high quality academic advising to students.
• Serve on La Verne Law and University- wide faculty committees.
• Work on other projects as assigned.

Call for Proposals for 2018 AASE Conference

Download AASE 2018 Call for Proposals

The 2018 Association of Academic Support Educators (AASE) Conference is set for May 22-24, 2018, at St. Louis University School of Law in Saint Louis, Missouri.

The conference presents a wonderful opportunity to expand and enhance your professional experience by sharing your skills and knowledge with an audience of peers from law schools across the country. The Call for Proposals is attached. Proposals must be submitted using the required online form no later than January 19, 2018. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Please use this link to access the online form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4Aj5KzEZwfmktAya8DxQKENJ1okuasGMImWWZk4Drpk1Izw/viewform?usp=sf_link.

For any questions, please email the programming committee at [email protected].

Thank you,

Isabel Freitas Peres and Megan Kreminski, AASE Programming Committee Co-Chairs

Getting Exam Study OOMPH

Just sitting in a chair and putting in minutes does not always translate into exam performance. You want to make sure that you get results from the time you put into studying. Here are some tips for maximum results from your efforts:

• Eliminate distractions: turn off the cell phone, disable your Internet to avoid surfing the net, use earplugs to block out noise, choose a quiet study location.
• Learn actively: engage with the material, ask yourself questions, read aloud, think about how you would use the material.
• Synthesize material: consider how rules interact, think about when the exceptions apply, compare and contrast cases, fit cases into the subtopic and topic, interrelate the topics to one another.
• Pretend you are the professor: what did the professor stress; what buzz words or phrases did the professor use; what types of questions did the professor ask. 
• Practice what you learn: apply the law to new fact scenarios, think about spin-off hypos, discuss how to use the law with classmates.
• Discuss material with a classmate: take turns explaining material to one another and giving feedback; take opposing sides on a fact scenario and present the arguments; work together on a flowchart for a topic.

When your focus wanders or you passively read your outline over, you are not getting oomph. Shake it up! Get involved! As Dennis Tonsing says, "Learn is an active verb." (Amy Jarmon)

 

Faulkner University Law Professor Speech to His Millennial 1Ls

Hat tip to my colleague, Vickie Sutton, at Texas Tech Law for bringing an article to my attention. Professor MacLeod at Faulkner wrote an article for the New Boston Post publishing a speech that he gave to his 1L students. The Daily Wire reports on that speech here with a link to the original article. Although colleagues may agree that there are problems with millennial students' prior education, MacLeod's approach has garnered criticism for his degrading treatment of students in the classroom.   (Amy Jarmon)

Some Practical Tips for Exams

Stay positive during your weeks of exams – you can do this! Pace yourself throughout each week and remember to take care of yourself.

• The night before a morning exam or the morning before an afternoon exam, plan light study only – read through your outline and complete easy practice questions. You will go into the exam less stressed.
• Cramming right up to the last minute is unproductive. You are better off getting a good night’s sleep than staying up to the wee hours before an exam. You need to be well-rested, alert, and focused in the exam.
• If possible with your exam schedule, take 2 or more hours off after an exam before you go back to studying. If your exams are spaced nicely, take the rest of the day off after an exam. Your body and brain will thank you.
• Do the best you can each day with your studying. If something goes wrong, put it behind you and start fresh the next day.
• Do the best you can on each exam. Realize that the days of needing 100% for a good grade are over. You cannot accurately guess what your grade will be when you leave an exam.
  • After an exam is over, put it behind you and move on to the next exam. You cannot change the way that exam went. You can change how the next exam goes.
  • Talking to others about the exam will only add to your stress. So smile, politely say you do not talk about exams, and walk away.
  • It is very common to realize when you walk out of an exam that you missed an issue, forgot a rule, or did not address a fact appropriately. Put it behind you. Move on to the next exam.
• If you are not familiar with the room where your exam will be, check it out ahead of time.
  • Is there a wall clock in the room showing the correct time?
  • Do you know where you would prefer to sit in the room?
  • Does the room seem overly warm or cold?
  • Anything else about the room that is of note?
• Eat a good meal before your exam because your brain needs the fuel for all the heavy lifting it will do.
• Plan to leave early for your exam to avoid last-minute mishaps:
  • Set multiple alarms or have a friend telephone you if you are a heavy sleeper and might oversleep an exam.
  • Know where there are current road works that might mean altering your route. Have a Plan B if you are unsure.
  • Remember to get to the exam room early enough to get settled and have everything ready to begin.
• Decide ahead of time where you want to wait once arriving early at the law school.
  • In the exam room so you have first dibs on the seat you want.
  • In your study carrel for some quiet and fewer people around.
  • Outside on a bench or at a table until it is time to go in.
  • Some place else that gives you a balance of calm and preparedness.
• Pack up the essentials that you need for the exam the night before the exam – you will be less likely to forget something.
  • Laptop and its accessories if you are typing your exams
  • Extra pens even if you are typing – you will want to make notes on any provided scrap paper.
  • Your exam number if your exam is anonymous.
  • Tissues, throat lozenges, or other medications that you need.
  • Wrist watch if you need one to track the time (smartphones/watches are usually forbidden).
  • Any items specifically approved by the professor for an open-book exam.
  • Sweater in case the exam room is too cold for you during the 3-4 hours you will be sitting there.
• Know who you need to contact at your law school if you get sick or have a family emergency and wish to ask about rescheduling an exam.

Good luck in your studying and on all of your exams! (Amy Jarmon)

"Fresh Start" Steps for Bar Exam Repeaters!

'Tis the season, they say.  

But, for many law school graduates, the month of December seems like a herculean challenge because a number of graduates are preparing to retake the bar exam next February...after receiving devastating news that they did not pass.  

So, let me write directly to you...to those of you who did not pass the bar exam this past summer.

First, you do not have to be a repeater.  Repeaters repeat, with the same outcome likely to result.  Instead, it's time to take advantage of the information and the experience that you had and turn it into a "fresh start."  You see, you have "inside information," so to speak, that first-time takers lack.  You know what it's like to sit for the exam, and, in most states, you have concrete information about what you did that was great along with inside scoop about where you can improve.

But, where is this inside info?  

It's in the scores that you received along with your answers.  The first step on your "fresh start" journey takes incredible courage but is key...grab hold of your exam questions and answers and work through them, one by one, reading the questions, outlining answers, writing solutions, and reflecting on what you learned through re-writing the exam. In the process, you'll be able to see firsthand where you can improve.  That's important information that is not available to first-time takers.  So, take advantage of it.

Second, don't focus on studying but on learning.  You see, success this time around on the bar exam is not a matter of working harder but rather working differently.  [That's why I’m always reluctant to call it studying because the focus should be on learning.].  From a big picture viewpoint, as Dr. Maryellen Weimer, Professor Emerita of Teaching and Learning at Penn State University describes, learning involves three overlapping activities focused on (1) content; (2) experiences; and, (3) reflection.

Let me be frank about the content phase of learning.  We often feel so overwhelmed by the content, particularly because it comes to us from bar review companies in the form of massive detailed lectures and equally massive detailed outlines, that we never move beyond the content.  In short, we don't feel like we know enough to practice.  Consequently, we tend to be immobilized (i.e., stuck in) in the content stage.  Instead of experiencing problem-solving first hand, we tend to re-read outlines, re-watch lectures, and in general create gigantic study tools before we have had sufficient experiences with the content to know what is really important in the big scheme of things.  

And, in my experience, most often when people don’t pass the bar exam on the first time around, it is almost always NOT because they didn’t know enough law but rather because they wrote answers that didn’t match up with the questions asked.  They were stuck in the content stage, spending too much time learning answers rather than experiencing questions.  As mentioned above, that's because we are so naturally focused on trying to learn and memorize the law.  But, I can’t EVER recall someone not passing because they didn’t know sufficient law.  It’s almost as though we know too much law that the law becomes a barrier...because we write all of the law that we know in our answers...even if it is not relevant.

That’s why the second stage is so important – experiencing the content through active open book practice.  

And, the third stage is critical too – reflection – because that is where we dig in to see patterns in the bar exam questions over time.

With that background in mind, let me offer a few suggestions so that you are not a repeater but a "fresh start" taker on your bar exam next February.

1.  Avoid the Lectures!  I would not redo the bar review commercial lectures.  At the most, if you feel like you must, feel free to listen via podcasts while exercising, etc.  In other words, just get them over and done with so that you can move quickly into the experiencing stage using the content of actual practice problems to solve problems for yourself. In other words, the least important thing in successfully passing the bar exam on the second go is listening to the lectures or reading outlines.  Rather, as you work through practice problems, take the time to dig in and understand whether you really understood what was going one...that's the sort of experience in practicing along with the sort of reflection that makes a huge difference.

2.   Daily Exercise!  Establish a schedule so that you exercise consistent learning every day.  The key is to be on a daily regimented schedule because it’s in your daily actions of experiencing and reflecting through actual bar exam problems that leads to big rises in bar exam scores.

3.  Practice Makes Passing Possible!  Right from the "get go," take advantage of every practice exam you can.  Most of your days, from the very beginning of your studies, should be engaged in practicing actual bar exam problems and reflecting on what you learned.  Don't try to learn the material through reading the outlines.  Dig in and use the outlines to solve practice problems.

4.  Reach Out To Your Law School!  Meet once per week, on a schedule, with someone at your law school to talk out your work. Bring one of your written answers or a set of MBE question that you have done or a performance test problem that you just solved.  You see, according to the learning scientists, when we explain to someone the steps that we took to solve a problem, it sticks with us.  So, take advantage of your local ASP professionals on your law school campus.

5.  Make Your Learning Work Count!  Skip the commercial bar review online homework and drills.  If the problems presented by your commercial course are not formatted like actual bar exam problems (essays, MBE questions, or performance test problems), don't do them. Period.  That's because the bar examiners don't test whether you did the drills or the online homework; rather, they test whether you can communicate and solve hypothetical bar exam fact pattern problems.  So, focus your work on the prize. Only do bar exam questions.

6.  Two-Thousand!  Okay...here's a number to remember.  According to a recent successful "fresh start" taker, the number is 2000.  That's right.  A recent taker said that she/he did just about 2000 MBE questions.   That's really experiencing the content.  You see, it’s important to work through lots and lots of bar exam problems because that helps you to see fact patterns that trigger similar issues over and over.  And, if you do that many questions, you don’t really have time for commercial bar review online homework or making gigantic study tools or re-watching the lectures over and over.  Instead, you’ll be using your time...wisely...for what is really important, learning by doing.   In particular, focus your learning (not studying!) on probing, pondering, and reflecting through every available essay and MBE question that you can.  Unfortunately, we often hear of people slowing down in the practice arena during the last two weeks to make big study tools and to work on memorization. But, memorization doesn’t work without content...and content doesn't work with out experiencing lots and lots and lots of practice problems. In other words, by practicing every possible problem that you can get your hands on you are actually memorizing without even knowing it. 

7.  The Final Two Weeks!  In the last two weeks, while you are still spending the bulk of your time practicing problems, for an hour or two a day, start to run through flashcards, or your old study tools, or posters, or your subject matter outlines.  But, do so in a flash.  It doesn’t matter whether you use commercial flash cards, your own note cards, or your own short subject matter outlines, etc., just pick something and use it to reflect on your learning. Here’s a suggestion:  The learning science experts say that it is important to “elaborate,” i.e., to explain and talk through what you are learning and ask why it is important, etc.  In other words, as you run through your study tools, put them into your own words, e.g., vocalize them, sing them out if you’d like, or even dance with them or put some “jazz” into them. In short, make your study tools live!  However, always remember that the best way to make your study tools come to life is to use them to work through lots of bar exam problems throughout the last two weeks of bar prep.

8. Be Kind-Hearted To Yourself! Realize its okay to have melt-downs.  Note, I said meltdowns not just a meltdown.  Everyone has them, and they happen more than once.  That's being human.  So, be kind to yourself.  Feel free to take time off for short adventures.  The important thing is to take some time to rest and to rejuvenate, in whatever form works for you.  My favorite is ice cream followed by a close second with hiking and even watching Andy Griffith shows (you’re too young to know what that is!).

Well, with that learning background as a foundation and these steps in mind, I wish you well as you prepare for success on your upcoming bar exam!  (Scott Johns).

 

Maryland & North Carolina adopt UBE

Maryland and North Carolina both adopted the Uniform Bar Exam in late November, bringing the total number of UBE jurisdictions to 30.

Maryland's first UBE administration is slated for either February 2019 or July 2019. The passing score and the date on which Maryland will begin accepting transferred UBE scores from other UBE jurisdictions has yet to be announced.

North Carolina will administer the UBE starting with the February 2019 exam, with a passing score set at 270. North Carolina will begin accepting transferred UBE scores from other UBE jurisdictions on June 30, 2018.

The NCBE press releases can be read here.  (Kirsha Trychta)

Perspective: The Opportunity To Take The Test

As our students sit for their end of semester exams in a few short days, I consistently deem it important to encourage them to keep all things in perspective and remain focused. Whether or not they adhere to my advice is another story. Nevertheless, I provide the following information to our students, particularly first-year law students:

(1) Remember Why You Are In Law School

Revisit why you decided to come to law school, consider the things you always wanted to accomplish with your law degree, and focus on your purpose for being here. Visualize where you want to be which justifies the reason why you are here. Remember who you are doing it for. Maybe you are doing it for grandma who sacrificed everything to ensure that you got the education necessary to get you where you are now. Maybe you are doing it for your children, younger brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, or friends who look up to you and are motivated and inspired by you. Maybe you are a first generation high school, college, and/or law student and you want to show your family again that you are able to do this. Maybe you want to help individuals in your neighborhood, community, city or state, whatever the reason for you being here, remember it. A law school exam is minimal in the larger scheme of things you have accomplished in life and the challenges you have overcome in life thus far. You have passed tests in the past and you can pass these as well.

(2) Focus On The Task At Hand

Concentrate on all things exam preparation and being in the right frame of mind to take your exams. This might be a good time to visit professor office hours if you have not already and to work effectively in your study groups. You might want to get rid of all distractions so cut off social media, maybe even cable television and silence your cell phone during the study period. You will have plenty of time after exams to enjoy all of the activities that appeal to you. If you have friends and family members who would be a distraction to you then you might want to tell them that you will check-in with them after break. Don’t be shy about seeking help. Attend all course reviews offered by your professor.

(3) Stay Motivated

You may not have started off the semester strong but you can finish strong. Realize the adjustments you need to make and when you need to take a break. Find supportive people who can help keep you on task and on track. Help each other stay on track. The fear you feel is probably the product of the exhaustion you feel from the semester. Don’t let stress take over so much that you are ineffective in preparing for exams. Worry takes away from doing. Replace the worry about the exam with actually doing the work. Remember that you are not striving for perfection in your knowledge or preparation. Focus less on the grade and more on the learning and retention of information.

(4) You Can Do It

You made it this far, so you can complete the journey. You did not quit during orientation week, you did not quit in week seven when your legal writing assignment overwhelmed you, nor did you quit in week fourteen when the semester ended and the threat of exams was looming. By not quitting, you have already proven that you are not going anywhere and you have tenacity so why would you quit now. You were smart enough to get into law school and you are smart enough to pass your exams. Finish this journey with all you have, put forth your best effort, and let the chips fall where they may. All you can do is your very best in the time you have remaining so do it! If law school was easy then everyone would do it and everyone would make it to this point.

All the best to the 1Ls and upper-level students taking exams soon, if not already! (Goldie Pritchard)