Law School Academic Support Blog

Editor: Goldie Pritchard
Michigan State University

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

1L of a Blog Series: The Lead-In to Final Exams

Welcome to law school! This is a biweekly series with tips and tricks for success in law school. We’ll cover things like time management, outlining, preparing for exams, and more! Although this series covers skills and tricks that might be new to 1Ls, I hope that every member of the law school community can find something helpful here.

It seems like we just finished midterms, so you may be surprised to see the words “final exams” in this blog’s title, but it’s time to direct your attention toward the end of the semester. As you figured out from midterms, law school isn’t a place where last-minute cramming works. Instead, you need to spread your studying out over the four to six weeks before exam period.

This doesn’t mean you need to kiss your social life goodbye for the next month and a half. Instead, focus on adding one or two finals-geared activities each week leading up to the exam. Once you add an activity, you should keep it in your weekly schedule until exams. You’re building up the knowledge, understanding, and stamina you’ll need to ace your finals. Here’s a template to give you an idea of how you might approach the next few weeks.

T-Minus Six Weeks to Finals

Your primary goal this week is to make sure you’re up to date on your outlines and understanding of the material. In addition to your weekly class readings and assignments, identify a few time blocks this week where you can update each of your outlines. As you update, take notes on any pending questions you have about the material to this point. After this week, your outlines should reflect your current understanding of each course. This includes making any adjustments to reflect what you learned from reviewing your midterm exam.

Speaking of your midterm exam, this is also a good time to make sure you’ve answered all pending questions about the midterm. For each question, make sure you fully understand where you lost points and what you did well to earn points. Go meet with your professor or TA if needed.

T-Minus Five Weeks to Finals

This week you’ll be adding in professor and TA meetings. It’s time to get some answers for that list of questions you compiled while updating your outlines and reviewing your midterms. As you get closer to final exams, your professor’s office hours will get more crowded. Now is the time to resolve your backlog of questions so you can focus on memorizing that material. From here on out, you’ll be talking to your professor or TAs each week as you think of new questions, but this week is when you’re making sure your understanding of the material you’ve learned in the first eight to ten weeks of the semester is accurate.

T-Minus Four Weeks to Finals

This week you should start collecting practice materials for each course. Your professor may release practice exams, but you should also look for other representative practice material. For example, you might consult supplemental multiple choice question books for targeted practice. You may also find redoing hypotheticals from class helpful to reinforce concepts. Gather these materials for easy reference later. If you need guidance finding supplemental practice material, you should consult your professors, TAs, and academic support professionals.

T-Minus Three Weeks to Finals

You’re keeping up with your readings, updating your outlines, and collecting practice materials. Whether your exam is open or closed book, it’s time to start actively memorizing the material. There are a lot of great memorization techniques, such as flashcards and mnemonic devices. Try out some different techniques to find the one that works best with your learning style.

You should also add practice into your schedule this week. For your first practice sets, take them with your outlines. Did your outline have all the information you needed? If not, you should reevaluate your outlines and go to office hours to get advice on your depth of understanding. Your early practice sets should also be focused on information from earlier in the semester, so that you reactivate that information in your mind.

T-Minus Two Weeks to Finals

This week is a bit of a relief because it’s where you’ll mostly maintain a holding pattern. Keep reading for class. Keep updating your outlines. Keep asking questions. Keep memorizing rules. Keep completing practice sets. Your one additional activity this week is to create a list of all key areas you expect your professors to test you on in each class. Once you have that list, use your outlines to identify the key rules within each area.

It may seem impossible at this point, since there’s so much on your plate, but try to find a moment this week to do something personally fulfilling and energizing. The next few weeks will stressful. Try to plan a few easy meals and lean on family and friends in the area. You can do this!

T-Minus One Week to Finals

Your energy is almost completely devoted to final exams now. You may have reading days this week to give you the opportunity to focus your attention entirely on your exams. This is the final push before you get to show your professors everything you’ve learned this semester. Make sure you stay healthy and give yourself short breaks between study sessions to keep your mind fresh.

This week, your outlines will reach their final form. You will finish memorizing the key rules, tests, and definitions you’ll need to know on your exams. Continue to take practice exams. Write out full answers to practice essays and try to simulate exam conditions. After each practice set, make sure to fully analyze and dissect your answer. Each misstep in a practice exam is the potential to earn another point on the real thing, so take the time to examine your mistakes. You should also focus on what you’re doing well in your answers and make sure not to abandon those skills.

Final Exams

This is your victory lap. The final exam is when you show off everything you’ve learned from all those hours of reading, outlining, memorizing, and practicing. You’ve worked so hard and come so far. Take a few deep breaths and dive into those exams. You can do this!

 

(Dayna Smith)

November 6, 2024 in Advice, Exams - Studying, Study Tips - General | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, October 31, 2024

From BOO to WOO: Turning Tricky Midterms into Sweet Success

Midterms can be a spooky experience. Maybe you thought you were prepared, but now you’re staring at your grade and it wasn’t what you’d hoped for.  If this is you, don’t worry—you have plenty of time to improve before finals. Here are some tips to help you turn your midterm frights into finals delights.

  1. Face your Fear: Look Closely at Your Midterm

Receiving less-than-ideal grades and feedback can feel a bit like watching a horror movie, but it’s essential for growth. Take the time to thoroughly review your graded midterm. Look for patterns and reflect on your preparation: Were you losing points due to missed issues, incomplete analysis, or misunderstanding key concepts? Pinpointing where you went off course is the first step to plotting a path forward.

  1. Breathe New Life into Your Study Habits

If your midterm didn’t go as planned, consider whether your study methods need a transformation. Were you cramming too much information at the last minute? Did you focus on memorization without practice? Find ways to study smarter: take practice exams, craft and review outlines consistently, and create summaries for complex topics. The goal is to transform your study habits from lifeless routines into active, effective learning strategies.

  1. Seek Wisdom from Your Guides (aka Professors and TAs)

Much like a Halloween film protagonist seeking guidance from a wise mentor, reach out to your professors, teaching assistants, or academic support professionals for help. Professors can offer valuable insights into your performance and suggest specific areas to improve. Attend office hours with prepared questions about the material or your midterm feedback, and consider bringing concrete examples of areas where you struggled. They’ll appreciate your initiative, and you’ll gain a clearer idea of what to work on.

  1. Form a “Coven” of Study Buddies

Collaborating with classmates can be a game-changer, especially if you’re haunted by similar questions. Join a study group or start one yourself, focusing on areas where you all need improvement. Comparing notes, discussing hypotheticals, and testing each other on tough concepts can make the learning process feel more collaborative and less daunting.

  1. Tackle the “Monster” Topics Head-On

Every class has those tricky concepts that can feel monstrous to master, whether it’s the Rule Against Perpetuities or Constitutional levels of scrutiny. Make a list of the topics you found most difficult on your midterm and set aside time each week to revisit them. Use practice problems to break these down into manageable parts, and remember that repeated exposure is key to mastering complex material.

  1. Craft a Plan and Stick to It

One of the best ways to overcome the ghost of a disappointing midterm is to create a focused study plan leading up to finals. Break down your outline by topic, schedule regular review sessions, and incorporate plenty of practice questions along the way. Stick to your plan with commitment, and you’ll find that each study session helps you gain confidence and clarity.

  1. Treat Yourself: Don’t Forget to Reward Your Progress

Improvement takes time and persistence, so don’t wait until finals are over to give yourself a pat on the back. Celebrate small victories along the way—whether it’s mastering a tough concept or hitting your study goals for the week. These little “treats” will keep you motivated as you work toward a stronger finish.

Final Thoughts

Your midterm grade doesn’t define you—it’s simply a snapshot of where you were at that moment in time. Midterms are an opportunity to assess, reflect, and improve. By facing your feedback, adjusting your study habits, and tackling challenging concepts head-on, you’re setting yourself up for finals success. With a fresh plan and the determination to improve, you’re ready to turn those “boos” into well-deserved “woos” come finals season.

Happy Halloween!

(Erica Sylvia, UMass Law)

October 31, 2024 in Advice, Encouragement & Inspiration, Exams - Studying | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

1L of a Blog Series: Learning from Midterms

Welcome to law school! This is a biweekly series with tips and tricks for success in law school. We’ll cover things like time management, outlining, preparing for exams, and more! Although this series covers skills and tricks that might be new to 1Ls, I hope that every member of the law school community can find something helpful here.

Midterms may still be underway, but you’re going to start getting your results back soon. It’s common for students to be surprised by their results – and not always in a positive way!

First, don’t get discouraged if the grade wasn’t what you expected. You belong in law school, and you can succeed! These were your first law school assessments, meaning you’re still learning what to expect. Students come to law school from many backgrounds, and you may not be used to this type of assessment. Many professors make the midterm a small portion of the overall grade for this precise reason. Now you know what types of questions your professor is likely to ask on the final exam.

Second, don’t be surprised if the uncurved class average is lower than you expect. Law school assessments are hard and, depending on your school’s policy around curving, your professor may write a slightly harder exam so that the curve helps the class. Just because the class average is lower than you might expect doesn’t mean the class isn't learning the material.

So, you have your results. What do you do now?

Regardless of your result, you should review the midterm for substance. Many law school exams are cumulative, so even the material you’ve been tested on during the midterm can make its way onto the final exam. Take advantage of whatever opportunities you have to review the midterm, following your professor’s protocol. For each question you should ask yourself: Did I miss an opportunity to earn more points? Did I get the answer correct by guessing? What facts influenced the outcome? If allowed, take detailed notes on what laws you were expected to apply and where you made mistakes.

Additionally, if your professor publishes a model answer or rubric, use that to your advantage! Analyze the model answer for what rules of law it applied, how it used the fact pattern, and its analytical structure. Compare the model answer to your own and note where you were not as precise. For example, if the model answer's rule statement was "minimum contacts," did you also have that or did you have "some touches"? The rules of law are precise, so you should aim for the same level of detail and precision as shown in the model answer.

Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to your professor or TA to review any pending questions after your initial review. They may be able to provide additional insight into where you went astray and how to improve for the final exam. The professor can also clarify if you don’t fully understand the rubric or sample answer.

Besides diving into the substance, the midterm is also a good time to assess your study habits. Did you spend time outlining, memorizing, and practicing with the material? Each component is a crucial step of knowing the law for your exams, and you may not have put enough time into each before the midterm. Reflect on how you prepared for the midterm exam and how that might have impacted your results. 

Finally, don’t ignore exam-taking strategy. The strategy of how to approach an exam question can often play a key role in your success. When you review your midterms, consider whether you got questions incorrect because you didn’t know the law or because you ran out of time. Or maybe you missed questions because of your reading comprehension under the stress of the exam environment. Exam-taking strategies can have major impacts. Your school’s academic support professionals, TAs, and professor can help you fine tune your strategies.

Ultimately, your midterm exams may not have turned out how you expected, but don’t just set them aside saying “I’ll do better next time!” Instead, take the midterm as a learning experience and use it to identify your next steps. You’ve got this!

(Dayna Smith)

October 23, 2024 in Advice, Exams - Studying, Study Tips - General | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Today is Law Student Mental Health Day!

To coincide with World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10, today also marks the ABA’s annual Law Student Mental Health Day. This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the well-being of law students and the mental health challenges they face. Law school can be, and often is, a demanding, high-stress environment. Self-care is essential.

If you know of or are a law student looking for Mental Health Resources related to law school, the American Bar Association’s Law Student Division is a great place to start. The ABA offers mental health-related articles, podcasts, and webinars, and provides links to additional programs and resources on their platform. Law Students can take advantage of these resources for free with a free student ABA membership.https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_students/resources/mental-health/

Many law schools are following the ABA’s lead and are beginning observe Law Student Mental Health Day through thoughtful programming, wellness initiatives, and even scheduled days off. Whether it is an informational panel, a student organization hosting bracelet-making or pumpkin painting, yoga or meditation, if your law school is hosting a wellness event, encourage your peers and students to attend. On this Law Student Mental Health Day, let’s take a step beyond individual care and focus on how we, as peers and colleagues, can make a positive impact on each other's mental health and our law school community.

Be kind to yourself and others; today and every day.

(Erica Sylvia, UMass Law)

October 10, 2024 in Advice, Current Affairs, Stress & Anxiety | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Anxiety Before Autumn: Considering Why Law Students are Seemingly Stressed Much Earlier in the Semester

Before this academic year, fluctuations in law student anxiety (at least where I work) was seemingly in sync with the changing of the seasons. It was as if the turning of the New England foliage on the campus grounds marked the end of the "honeymoon period" and ushered with it the anxiety marathon which would linger through the finish line of finals. This year, though, feels different.

We all know that anxiety in law school is nothing new; but this semester, I've noticed outward signs of high anxiety much earlier than ever before. Indeed, this semester might set a new personal record with just how many students I have seen in tears by week two or three. Students who used to feel the weight of assignments and grades only later, now appear anxious within the first few weeks.

What is driving this shift, and how can we as academic support and bar professionals help?

Here, are just a few of the factors that I have personally observed this semester which are seemingly contributing to wide-spread anxiety:

1. The Myth of Immediate Competence
With the rise of social media, students are being bombarded with images of success from day one. Whether it is from their peers who are "crushing it" in their studies, or stories of 3Ls landing prestigious internships, this pressure can create unrealistic expectations of self. Many students feel they should hit the ground running and know everything right away. By comparing oneself to the perceived versions of others, self-doubt and anxiety is setting in much earlier.

2. The Proliferation of Smaller Assigned Tasks
The legal curriculum has also changed, with many professors pivoting from an “all or nothing” final exam and incorporating more formative assessments, early research assignments, or even practice exams within the first few weeks. While these are great tools for teaching and learning, and provide more opportunity for individualized feedback, reflection and growth, the proliferation of small assignments across several courses can feel overwhelming to students who are already anxious, have suboptimal organizational or time-management skills, or those who may feel unprepared or uneasy about their performance.

3. The Fear of Falling Behind

One of the oldest but still potent causes of anxiety in law school is the fear of falling behind and being spread too thin. I see many students, particularly 2Ls, who are juggling new responsibilities for the first time. This could be clinics, practice courses, externships, perhaps participation on a student journal, student organization leadership roles, and other extracurriculars on top of their coursework. Even the slightest sign that they might be falling behind academically can lead to disproportionate worry, especially so early in the semester.

What Can We Do? As academic support and bar professionals, we have the unique opportunity to help students manage this early-onset academic anxiety and develop healthy, sustainable strategies to handle the pressure. I do not pretend to be a medical professional (nor do I play one on TV), but here are some effective strategies that I have used to help ease my anxious students.

1. Humanize the Law School Experience

Law school is a marathon, not a sprint; and the first few “miles” may start off a little shaky. After all, thinking “like a lawyer” and understanding why law school operates the way it does takes time to develop. I find sharing stories of your own personal early law school days and overcoming adversity (even if that adversity was trying to make sense of the Rule Against Perpetuities) can give students a healthier perspective and something with which to relate.

2. Emphasize Process Over Perfection

Remind students that the goal of assignments and assessments is not perfection but progress. Encouraging them to focus on learning from feedback rather than simply chasing grades or hyper-fixating on the number on the page can take some of the weight off their shoulders.

3. Teach and Encourage Time Management Early

Introducing students to time management tools and strategies early in the semester can help them avoid the dreaded feeling of being overwhelmed by the variety of tasks. By creating study schedules, setting realistic goals, and breaking down larger tasks into manageable pieces, students can regain a sense of control.

4. Promote Mental Health Resources

As ASP’ers (and often those on the faculty/staff with whom emotional or vulnerable students feel most comfortable reaching out), we mean well; but sometimes, I know I am not professionally equipped to help my students in the way they need it most. It is helpful to remind students about the mental health resources available to them. Whether it is a campus counseling center, mindfulness workshops, or other local support groups, giving students access to these resources early in the semester can help them address anxiety before it snowballs.

(Erica Sylvia, UMass Law)

October 3, 2024 in Advice, Stress & Anxiety, Study Tips - General | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

1L of a Blog Series: Outlining for Success

Welcome to law school! This is a biweekly series with tips and tricks for success in law school. We’ll cover things like time management, outlining, preparing for exams, and more! Although this series covers skills and tricks that might be new to 1Ls, I hope that every member of the law school community can find something helpful here.

You’re starting to get the hang of this law school thing! You’ve gotten into a good routine, you’re reading and briefing your cases, and you’re acing your cold calls. Not to throw you off, but you need to add something else: outlining! This blog will address some commonly asked questions about outlining so you can create your outlines with confidence.

What is an outline?

An outline is a study guide you make for each class. Outlines help you understand the overall structure of a course, visualize connections between concepts, and memorize legal rules for your exams. Unless your professor has said otherwise, your primary takeaway from class should be the rules of law. So, your outline should be focused on the rules and how to apply them.

Even though the term “outline” probably brings to mind a lot of Roman numerals, letters, and numbers arranged hierarchically, your class outline can be in any form. Your outline should fit your learning style, and it may be a different format for each of your classes. Sure, some students will use a more “traditional” outline with Roman numerals, but others will use flow charts and mind maps to better visualize the material. Every student’s outline is personalized to their learning style and preferences, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

You may also hear 2Ls and 3Ls talking about attack outlines. As exciting as they sound (outline battles, anyone?), an attack outline simply shows how you will attack exam questions. These may capture how you’ll walk through a giant issue-spotter essay, or they may be for distinct sub-topics. They help organize the steps of analysis for you to memorize then apply during an exam so you do not miss any key points.  

How do I get started?

If you haven’t started outlining yet, it’s time to get on it! The easiest way to start outlining for a class is to look at the syllabus. From the syllabus, you can usually get a sense of the big topics within the course, if not a more detailed look as subtopics within each major heading. Your professor organized the course the way they did for a reason, so start your outline by following their lead!

Then, you should look to your case briefs and class notes to fill in the rules for each topic. Generally speaking, you won’t need to memorize the details of each case you read (defer to your professor on this one!), so you should isolate the rules from each case for your outline. That being said, the cases are valuable for understanding how the rule works, so if examples help you understand, you may want a few memory-jogging facts from each case in your outline. You may also want to include a few key hypotheticals your professor posed in class for the same reason.

Often, the hardest part of outlining is getting started because it can feel overwhelming. Keep in mind that you can (and should) adjust your outlines over time, so if you’re not happy with the structure you chose last week, you can just change it. An outline is a living document that tracks your understanding of the material, so it’s always evolving. If you need advice for getting started, or if you suddenly realize you’re not on the right track, you should reach out to your TA, academic success program, and/or professor for additional guidance.

When do I add material?

Regularly! You should add to your outline for each class at least every other week. You can put your subjects on a rotation so you only have to work on a couple subjects each week. But I would also recommend having some flexibility. It’s helpful to add material once you finish a topic. For instance, when your torts class transitions from battery to negligence, it’s time to add battery to your outline and adding it right away will help you identify and resolve any gaps in understanding.

How do I use my outline?

Your outline is primarily a way to organize the material so you can get a better understanding of the key takeaways of each class. However, your outline is not something you make and set aside. Instead, it evolves as you get a better understanding of the material. So, as you add new material to your outline, you’re also reviewing and refining the stuff that’s already in there. You’ll benefit from your outline by creating it, reviewing it, revising it, memorizing it, and using it to answer practice questions. Ultimately, your outline should become your constant companion for each class.

Use Commercial Outlines with Caution!

I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention commercially available outlines. As you hopefully gathered from above, outlining is as much about the process as it is the final product. Additionally, commercial outlines aren’t tailored to the class your professor is teaching. They aren’t going to emphasize the same things or phrase rules the same way. Thus, they won’t be as helpful for the exam. So, the takeaway is: You really have to make your own outline.

However, I still find commercial outlines helpful if used effectively. They’re a great place to look to for an alternate explanation of a particularly sticky topic or for clarification of how topics relate. So, your rule of thumb: the commercial outline is a supplement, not a substitute. You must still create your own outlines if you want to fully understand the material for the exam.

 

That’s the scoop on outlining! Hopefully these explanations and tips will help you get started and keep going throughout the semester. Remember, outlining is a personal, ongoing process, so don’t be nervous if your outline isn’t exactly like your classmate’s, as long as you’re keeping up with the material. The only completely incorrect way to outline is not to outline at all!

(Dayna Smith)

September 25, 2024 in Advice, Exams - Studying, Study Tips - General | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

1L of a Blog Series: Three Tips for Reading & Briefing Cases

Welcome to law school! This is a biweekly series with tips and tricks for success in law school. It’ll cover things like time management, outlining, preparing for exams, and more! Although this series covers skills and tricks that might be new to 1Ls, I hope that every member of the law school community can find something helpful here.

You’re a week or two into your law school classes, so you’ve started digging into your casebooks. From your first reading, you probably noticed two things: the takeaways aren’t super obvious and you’re going way slower than you expected.

Both of these are totally normal! Learning from cases means that you’re learning from primary sources. Unfortunately, this means that the cases weren’t written for you to learn from. Instead, the opinions you’re reading were written to solve real-life problems. That doesn’t mean they aren’t great learning tools. It just means you need to learn how to dissect them.

Before your first class, you were likely introduced to the parts of a case brief. You know to identify relevant facts, tease out legal rules, and dissect dissents. However, you are also realizing that you’ll need to become more efficient to keep your nightly reading assignments under control. The following tips will help you streamline your process to get the most out of your briefs.

  1. Read and re-read

For most cases, I recommend reading them twice. This tip seems counterintuitive to saving time but hear me out. The first time you read the case, put your pen down. Just read the case for the story. Get a feel for what’s happening. Then, pick up your pen and do a second, closer reading. This is when you’re digging out the parts of your brief and analyzing the rule of law.

Why is this approach helpful? The first reading helps you understand where the case is going and what might be relevant. It gives you the big picture without the stress of trying to figure out whether that one line is the court’s reasoning or the holding. Then, when you return a second time, you have a better understanding of the broader picture so you can make more informed decisions about what needs to go in your brief. If you skip the first read-through, you’ll often find yourself deleting portions of your brief that you spent precious time fine-tuning because you come to realize they weren't relevant. By building two passes through each case into your reading schedule, you will often save time while being more confident in your case brief for class. I caution against reading each case more than twice, though. Oftentimes, the diminishing returns in a third read weighed against your valuable time means that a third, fourth, or fifth read-through is not worth it.

  1. Tailor your brief to your professor

When you first start a semester, you should go all-out on your briefs. Put every (relevant!) detail in. Give equal weight to each component.

However, a few classes into the semester, you should start to get a better sense of what your professor wants to talk about. Some professors may be wild about knowing every factual detail of each case. Others may not care about what happened and just want to talk about the rule of law. You’ll find professors at each end of this case briefing spectrum, as well as at every point in between. To be the most efficient and effective student in each class, you should tailor your brief to your professors’ preferences.

This process is not difficult, but you need to be a keen observer while also participating in each lecture. Besides noting the rules of law you’ll need for your outline, you should also be paying attention to what types of questions your professor asks. Do they ask for full case recitations? Are they interested in the one-sentence takeaway of each case? How do they prompt you and your colleagues to use the cases? By questioning what the professor is looking for, you are helping your future self save time on case briefs and ace the next cold call.

  1. Self-assess

They say practice makes perfect, and case briefing is no exception. However, you’re likely not being asked to turn in your case briefs, so how do you know if you’re doing them correctly?

Self-assessment! Every class is an opportunity to assess how you’re doing with reading and briefing the cases. Even if you’re not on-call that day, use your case briefs to play along. Constantly ask yourself if you could have answered the professor’s question. Analyze what you missed from your brief that your professor or colleagues discussed in class. You can note things you missed directly on your case briefs, which you can then analyze for trends.  If you find you’re consistently missing key portions of the cases in your briefs, it’s time to re-evaluate your technique.

If you’re having a hard time with your readings, you’re not alone! Reading primary sources like cases is a difficult process that you likely haven’t had to do before. Trust that you’re getting more efficient as you practice and, before you know it, you’ll be briefing cases like a pro. And, of course, if you’d like additional guidance, go see your TA, academic success professionals, and/or your professor. Don’t waste your precious time because you’re nervous to ask for support! Everyone was new to case briefing once, and everyone has their own tips to share. 

For now, it’s time to get back to your reading!

 

(Dayna Smith)

September 11, 2024 in Advice, Reading, Study Tips - General | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, May 3, 2024

Let's Talk About Test Anxiety

Test anxiety is a term used to describe stress experienced before an exam that rises to a heightened level of anxiousness and self-doubt. Test anxiety is a type of performance anxiety that can feel overwhelming and is serious enough to impact your performance on the exam. Stress before an exam is normal. In fact, normal stress before an exam is triggering your sympathetic nervous system and preparing you to act. This can improve brain function in the short-term, keep you focused on the task, and help you perform at your best.

If your parasympathetic nervous system doesn’t kick in, you can remain in a heightened state of stress too long, or even experience a panic attack. Sensations experienced during panic attacks include trouble breathing normally, shaking hands, feeling faint or nauseous, feeling like you are having a heart attack or that you are choking. These sensations can make it impossible to focus on the exam.

Even if your stress is not rising to the level of panic attack, you may still find your stress is difficult to manage before an exam. You might feel like you’ve entered a freeze, flight, or fight state. I find freezing to be the most common defensive reaction in the exam setting. I think we’ve all experienced reading an exam question and feeling our minds go completely blank.

If this happens to you frequently, I encourage you to talk to a professional counselor. Not only will they be able to provide strategies for managing the anxiety, but they may also be able to identify an underlying cause of the anxiety. If this is happening to you for the first time in law school, please know you are not alone. The higher-stakes testing environment, pressure placed on law school final exams for overall course grades, and breadth of subject matter make law school exams different than other exams. It is incredibly common for law students to feel exam stress or test anxiety for the first time in their academic history.

What should you do if you are feeling extreme stress during an exam?

Breathe. First, try closing your eyes and taking some long, deep breaths. If this helps, focus on your senses. Identify five things you can see, hear, and touch at your seat. Instead of trying to focus on the exam questions, think of one major concept you remember from the course generally. Take a moment to write down a few rules you remember related to that concept. This is often enough to get out of the freeze and move forward with the exam.

If this does not work, you can’t breathe normally, or taking deep breaths is adding to the stress, try leaving the testing room for a few minutes. Take a short walk. If this is not helping, and you begin to experience symptoms of a panic attack, ask for help. Go to the appropriate person on your campus who assists with exam emergencies. According to Scientific American, panic attacks “usually begin abruptly, reach their peak within 10 minutes and end within half an hour.” You may be able to work through the episode and still complete your exam successfully. Suffering in the exam room usually does not help the situation. So, get the support you need.

Good luck on exams and remember that taking care of your health during the finals period is critical to exam performance.

(Ashley Cetnar)

May 3, 2024 in Advice, Stress & Anxiety | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, April 19, 2024

If You Failed the February 2024 Bar Exam…

As results trickle in from the February administration of the bar exam, there are moments of joy and sorrow happening around the nation. If you passed the exam, CONGRATULATIONS! If you failed the exam, please know:

You are not a failure. You are a successful human being.

You know this. I’m just reminding you of the facts.

There are people you can lean on.

It can feel hard to share the disappointment, stress, and even shame you might be feeling. There are people in your life who can’t believe you did something as hard as graduating from law school. There are people in your life who look up to you – who think you are the smartest person they know. There are people in your life who are so proud of you, and they are even more proud of you now for trying. Let them in.

Your school is behind you.

With all the national attention on the bar exam and pass rates, it can feel like you are a statistic. You are not. I graduated from a big undergraduate institution and a large law school. As a student, it felt comfortable to blend into a crowd. I didn’t understand how my faculty members felt about their law school community. Now, as a faculty member, I can tell you, a student’s success is my joy, and their disappointment is my sorrow. I deeply care about my students passing the bar because I care about my students. And I have yet to meet a colleague who doesn’t share this sentiment. Ask for our help and support. We want to give it.

Your February results do not dictate how you will do in July.

It takes over 400 hours of studying, thousands of multiple-choice questions, hundreds of essays, and multiple, timed MPTs to pass the UBE. It also takes stress management. If there were things outside of your control that prevented you from hitting these targets, acknowledge that. Failing the bar exam doesn’t come down to a lack of intelligence or ability; it comes down to dedicating the right amount of time to the right activities for ten weeks.

The work you did studying this past winter is not a waste. It will only ease the burden as you prepare for July.

You will feel surprised at how much you remember when you crack open those books open again.

You are in good company.

Check out this list from JD Advising of impressive people who failed the bar exam.

Try again.

No one will ever ask how many times you took the bar exam, or what you scored. Even if you feel defeated, try again. Being an attorney will define your life. Taking the bar again will not.

(Ashley Cetnar)

April 19, 2024 in Advice, Bar Exam Issues, Bar Exam Preparation | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday, March 11, 2024

Getting to No

Can we stop for a minute and discuss how much fun, “I’m Just Ken” was last night on the Oscars? It was pink, sparkly, and joyful. And, like my scholarship (as noted in a prior blog post), delightful, but insufficient for the win.[1]

I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted (and maybe, therefore, a bit cranky). I am teaching four classes this semester, have a regular load of one-on-one students, am enmeshed in both writing and presenting topics, and have other committee, university, and non-university tasks waiting. Not to mention writing for this blog.[2] This spring “break” will be full of obligations, but also some much needed downtime.

As much as I love the book, “Getting to Maybe[3],” being successful in law school is a matter of doing smart, efficient things to get others to say “yes” to you: yes to an A, yes to a clerkship, yes to a job.

I need a book that teaches me how to say no.[4]

One of the downsides of the job security status most academic support folks find themselves in is the unspoken but real subtext of not being able to say no to requests from supervisors and colleagues. This, coupled with my desire to do some of the things ordinarily not available to academic support folks (like chairing committees and participating in leadership institutes) makes us (me, at least) very busy.  It is like begging to sit at the grown-up table, but your feet can’t reach the floor in the big chairs. You are grateful to be there, so you cope and insist you do not want the chicken nuggets the kids are having.

But let’s be clear: since we are sitting at the grown-up table, we are often then asked to do things that tenured, doctrinal faculty would not be asked --or would never agree-- to do. I need a way (besides retirement) to get myself off (or pushed closer to the bottom of) the “usual suspects” list of folks who can be relied on to do various jobs.  

Yet, I have a hard time thinking of myself as someone who wouldn’t be reliable or diligent. I would argue that academic support folks are constantly proving their worth by showcasing these attributes. We are also kind and generous people (I see you!) who wouldn’t want to let someone down even if it is above and beyond our bandwidth and paygrade. I think the pandemic has also made some formerly solid boundaries much more permeable.

Therefore, I propose we start finding a “no buddy.” This can be someone we see at work, a colleague we know through our ASP community, friends, partner/spouse, or really anyone. We can text that person, “I said no!!!” and they will respond, “I am proud of you!!!”[5]

I’ll start: last Friday, a student asked me my next availability for a meeting since they were unprepared for our late Friday afternoon before spring break meeting, and I said, “after the break.” Essentially, saying I wouldn’t meet with them during the break. Y’all: I said no!!!![6]

(Liz Stillman)

 

[1] Which is not to say Billie Eilish and her lovely brother did not deserve the win-they truly did.

[2] Which actually gives me great joy! Really!

[3] It really can be a game changer for students! https://cap-press.com/books/isbn/9781594607349/Getting-to-Maybe-Second-Edition

[4] I am not advocating for a book that teaches others how to say “no” to me. I don’t think there is a need for that text. See, Tenure, not happening.

[5] Yes, the exclamation points are required.

[6] And I am proud of myself. And I still feel a little guilty….

March 11, 2024 in Advice, Current Affairs, Encouragement & Inspiration, Professionalism, Stress & Anxiety | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, January 26, 2024

Go have a little fun!

It’s the third week of spring classes here in Idaho. Grades from the fall term were released and exam reviews are underway. A few students are feeling elated with their fall performance. The majority (even those who did well) are experiencing disappointment. Emails are going out to students from all directions with words of encouragement and tips for what to do next.

When I think back to my best and worst semesters of law school, I can’t remember the grades earned. I can remember the key ingredient that made the difference: fun. I worked hard, yes. I remained diligent and met all deadlines. But when my head was swimming with legal theory, or I had simply finished my workday in the library, I went and had fun. That’s right, I actually spent time doing things I enjoy with the people I love – as a law student!

The bad semesters, the ones full of stress and anxiety, were full of wasted time and wasted opportunities for fun. I should get ahead on my reading. I don’t have time for the things I like to do. I can’t meet you for dinner because I’m sitting here looking at my books (not reading, looking at). When I gave myself permission to create more balance in my life and schedule, my work was more efficient, I felt happier, and I learned more.

We spend a lot of time talking about wellness in law school. I love meditating. I love thinking about ways to optimize my wellness. I also think we forget that having fun is a big part of being well. So, let’s all commit to blocking off some time for hobbies, time with family and friends, and doing something for the sake of fun. It’s good for us.

(Ashley Cetnar)

January 26, 2024 in Advice, Encouragement & Inspiration, Stress & Anxiety | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Diving into Spring...

I spent yesterday at a collegiate swim meet. It was indoors for those of you wondering just how crazy we are in Massachusetts (not quite there yet). I sat with an alum of my son’s team, and as a relative newbie (he’s a freshman), I asked a lot of questions about the etiquette and process of this kind of competition. My son is a walk-on to the team (maybe a dive-in?), and he didn’t swim in high school, so my knowledge of swim meet procedure fossilized somewhere in late middle school. My alum guide was very patient with me (she is planning a demeanor-appropriate career in clinical psychology).

As much as I was excited to see my son (he’s my youngest and college has hit me hard), swim meets are not the most pleasant spectator sport. First of all, it is hot-and humid--I could hear my hair frizzing, the “seats” in the viewing gallery are hard (and without backs), and it is incredibly loud in a space that seems intended to warp and amplify sound. Having spent time underwater in my lifetime, I was surprised at the way coaches were cheering for their swimmers although it seemed like the swimmers would be unable to hear them (as their ears were mostly in the water) or see them (as they had to look straight ahead or at the ceiling for the back strokers). I asked my kind college swim meet guru who was in that position just a few years back if the swimmers could even hear the cheering. She confirmed that you really couldn’t hear it, nor could you really see the folks on the side of the pool jumping up and down and urging you to go faster.

But, every single person on the side or end of the pool was either a current swimmer or coach (who has no doubt had competitive swimming experience) and thus must have known that the swimmers couldn’t hear or see them. To me, this is almost the team sport definition of altruism: cheering for someone who couldn’t see or hear you just because they are your teammate. It is true that everyone wanted to win the swim meet, but each individual swim was neither victory nor loss defining.

In a way, Academic Support folks are the coaches on the side of the pool. As students start to come see us (or are asked to see us) with their fall grades, we will review their performance and coach them on their form, their entry, their turns, their methods between exams (meets), and their finishes.  We will tell them that grades are not defining (and they might not believe us, and they are, sadly, somewhat right about that).

First, we will consider entry. We will go back to beginning of how students handled the competing tasks of the semester and look for cleaner and more efficient ways for them to get into the material. Then we will look at the course of the semester in terms of study methods, outlining, juggling responsibilities, and time (and resource) management. Finally, we will discuss how to push to the finish. We will work towards personal records rather than pure wins.

Getting students to understand that you are on their team in helping them succeed is pivotal in this process. Like college athletes, our students may have had other coaches who taught them differently; or may have been told that they have natural talents that will propel them through challenges. Some students will blame outside circumstances for poor grades-and while this may be true in some circumstances[1]- it is often not  a helpful mindset. Students need to see that there are things that they can control that can be tweaked (or entirely overhauled) in order to perform better. Pools may have warmer or colder water than where you practice, but you can be ready for these issues if you prepare. The issues students have can be input issues like reading, outlining, engagement in class; or output issues like exam writing or multiple choice methods. And we need to remind them that they valuable members of our community/team. Everyone in law school belongs on the team and (this one is not easy to see) we all win when we do our personal best.

In the meantime, I’ll be sweaty and frizzy and yelling my support to all the students who were hoping for better grades whether they see me or not. 

(Liz Stillman)

 

[1] Family emergencies, medical emergencies, mental health, financial issues, disruptions during the exam, and many other things happen-and they can change exam outcomes. However, it is very unlikely, especially in a school (like ours) that uses blind exam grading, that personal animus or even annoyance on the part of faculty is a factor in a final grade.

January 16, 2024 in Advice, Encouragement & Inspiration, Exams - Studying, Study Tips - General | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, December 8, 2023

Final Exams & Multiple-Choice Questions

Final exams are in full swing. I met with a student yesterday who was terrified about their next exam because it’s going to be all multiple-choice questions. So often, students put down their ability to solve multiple-choice problems. I hear things like:

“I’m terrible at multiple-choice problems.”

“I’ll never pass an exam if it’s all multiple-choice questions.”

“I get stuck between two answers and ALWAYS pick the wrong one.”

“I fall for the tricks on multiple-choice exams.”

Here are some tips I share with students for improving on multiple-choice questions.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR MULTIPLE-CHOICE EXAMS:

  • No matter how you performed on multiple-choice tests in the past, it’s a new day. If properly prepared, you can answer each question correctly!
  • Remember that law school multiple-choice questions usually ask you to apply a rule – not just recognize an answer. This means you should approach them with your legal problem-solving skills. Instead of relying on recognizing the right answer, try to identify the rule the question is asking about. Then, apply that rule to the facts. This will lead you to the correct answer.
  • Don’t rush. Don’t get stuck. Figure out how much time you can devote to each question and stick to it.
  • Carefully read each question and watch out for qualifiers— these are words like all, always, often, most, least.
  • If you have it narrowed down to two responses and can’t decide, treat the answers like a true/false problem. Consider if one is completely true, while one is “only true if…” The correct answer is completely true.  
  • Don’t make any assumptions or add any facts to the question that aren’t there. This is sure to lead you astray.
  • Is the answer mostly right? Then it’s wrong.
  • Trust your gut. It’s usually correct.
  • Don’t change answers unless you truly misread the question or have another very good reason. Your first answer is usually the right one.
  • Keep track of time.

Bonus tip:

You need to practice multiple-choice problems to improve. As you practice, make sure you keep track of WHY you missed the question. Did you misunderstand the rule? Did you read too fast? Did you misapply the rule? Diagnose why are missing questions and use the tips above to create a strategy. Your scores will improve!

(Ashley Cetnar)

December 8, 2023 in Advice, Exams - Studying | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday, September 18, 2023

Rainy Days and Mondays

It is gray and rainy here in Boston at the beginning of week three of law school classes. This weather seems appropriate for the shift in student mood judging from the meetings I have had with students so far today. They have many questions....

So, in keeping with my success syllabus, I have compiled a week by week list of answers to frequently asked questions:

  1. Week One:
    1. Yes, it is going to be a lot, but you can do it!
    2. My advice? Do your reading! Brief your cases! And don’t forget to do something fun every now and then.
  2. Week Two:
    1. Yes, the reading does seem to increase exponentially.
    2. No, I am not really using that word in the math sense, this is a math free zone.
    3. Yes, I know case briefing takes a while early on, but you will winnow it down from boxers to a thong shortly…and if not, come see me.
    4. Yes, that was an underwear reference.
  3. Week Three:
    1. No, the model penal code is not the law anywhere.
    2. Yes, I’ve heard of Pierson v. Post[1].
    3. Yes, you should start outlining now, oh, but you are only through half of mens rea and that is the only thing you have discussed in Crim? Hmm. Maybe wait until you finish.
    4. Yes, we have a whole website devoted to videos and other resources on how to outline, and,
    5. Yes, we are sending you about 1.3 million emails a week about that, so you should know about it, but here is the link if you haven’t seen our billboard…
  4. Week Four:
    1. No, we can not set up weekly two-hour meetings. Why? Um, because I have reached an age where I cannot commit to that much time for anything!?
    2. Yes, you should be outlining.
    3. Yes, we have a whole library full of study aids (on line and in person).
    4. Yes, you can still borrow mine (I finished law school, so I am not currently using it).
    5. Yes, I know that that class only has a final and no graded midterm.
    6. No, I don’t think that is a good idea.
  5. Week Five:
    1. Yes, all questions about homicide will involve someone being dead.
    2. Yes, there are many crimes under the umbrella term of homicide.
    3. No, I don’t find that dark and creepy.
    4. Yes, this is hard and I know you have more legal writing assignments due soon as well.

This is just a start.  In the next installment, we will provide answers to questions about midterms, hitting the wall, and why they are called number 2 pencils.

(Liz Stillman)

 

[1] But, interestingly, have never read it. My property professor started with INS v. AP and didn’t look back….

September 18, 2023 in Advice, Meetings | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Your bar prep program is enough, you are enough.

For February bar takers, this is your periodic reminder that your bar prep program (or the study plan you designed for yourself, if you are not using a company) is enough, and, as long as you actively engage with your program or study plan, you are enough.

After many exam cycles of working with bar studiers, I have learned that during bar review, studiers commonly hit a point where they start to know just enough to feel like they will never learn it all. This is normal, and it happens to many people. When you hit that point, when you feel like it is too much for you to possibly learn, a common reaction is for the learner to think one of two things must be true. Either 1) the bar review course they purchased is flawed or 2) they themselves are flawed in such a way that they are unable to learn the material.

You may be hitting that point and feeling those things. Don't get fooled, because neither one is true. The best response to those feelings is to take a deep breath and remember a few things before getting back to your program:

  1. Your bar review program is enough. If you bought one of the programs from one of the big names in bar preparation, it was designed by experts. These companies have subject matter experts and learning experts who understand the science of adult learning. They also have insight into bar exam drafting and grading. If you did not enroll in a program, you likely created a study plan and program for yourself, focusing on all the areas you know will be tested. Trust the process, trust your program, trust your plan. You bought the ticket, now take the ride. 

 

  1. You are enough. You got through law school, during a challenging time in the world from every aspect. You can do this. Bar review is hard but I promise you, you can do hard things. You have already accomplished graduating from law school. Passing the bar is the next logical step. You can do it, and the path to success is to work your program or study plan. Don't give up, don't switch strategies. Just settle into your program every morning, and do what they tell you to do, when they tell you to do it. It is normal if you feel like you can't. Just because it's hard doesn't mean it's not working. This is a normal part of the learning process. Put another way (and said in the kindest and best-intentioned way): you are not special, you are normal just like the rest of us. You are struggling, just like the rest of us, and you can come out successful, if you keep doing what you're supposed to be doing.

 

  1. A word about well-meaning lawyers: There are lots of well-meaning lawyers out there who will offer advice. Many think that because they have passed one bar exam (and in some cases a long time ago), they are qualified to tell others how to pass a bar exam. I promise you, no friend or acquaintance or alumni knows better how to pass a bar exam than your bar prep program. Passing one bar exam, or even a couple of bar exams, does not make an individual an expert on how to pass bar exams. Put your trust in the experts and in your own abilities.

 

Bottom line: you can do this because you are enough. The way to get it done is to trust your program, whether that is commercially prepared or one you thoughtfully designed for yourself; do what you have scheduled, when it is scheduled. Email your academic support office or your favorite professor if you need a pep talk or a reminder to get back on schedule. You can do this. Stay on course. Trust the process. Trust yourself.

 

(Lisa DeLaTorre)

January 26, 2023 in Advice, Bar Exam Preparation | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Harkness Method and other Methods to Facilitate Deep Learning

I recently came across an article by an 83-year old history professor talking about a method of teaching that I had never heard - the Harkness Method.  Martindale, Jr., Wigt, "This Old Man, He Teaches History, WSJ (Nov. 17, 2022).  In the article, he suggests that our curriculum should be centered around two "rules."  First, that survey courses are the most important courses for high school and college education because they present the opportunity for students to learn the context of what will follow in their educational pursuits.  Second, and the point I'd like to share in this blog, is that we cannot teach today's students using outdated methods.  

That's when, in a passing comment, I first heard of the Harkness Method - "an oval table discussion format that encourages a class to explore an idea as a group."  Id. I recall after law school when I spent a passing year working half-time while engaging in a full-time doctoral program that the entire graduate school experience was built around this so-called Harkness Method.  In law schools, we might call it the seminar class.

That got me thinking, especially with bar exam rates downhill for most jurisdictions, that maybe we in law schools are violating the professor's rule no. 2.  We might be teaching using outdated quasi-socratic lecture methods when perhaps we should instead by devoting the resources and the time to teach in oval-table discussions with lots of small group settings.  Of course, that would be quite expensive because factory-like 1L curriculum is much more efficient, at least from the viewpoint of costs.  But cost efficiency in itself is not necessarily promoting better learning, learning that sticks, as a book title suggests. https://www.amazon.com/Learning-That-Sticks-Brain-Based-Instructional/dp/1416629106.

In my impromptu attempt to learn more about the Harkness Method, I came across some brief introductions about some other possible ways to reach today's students deeply and meaningfully.  They include the Harkness Method, the so-called flipped classroom experience, and problem-based learning (PBL). https://discussion.miami.edu/teaching-methods/index.html

I have to admit that I sort of skipped the Harkness Method because my class enrollments are not likely to be reduced from 50-75 students, at least at anytime in the near future.  But I really appreciated the information about flipped learning and the PBL methods. One thing caught my attention in particular. Flipped learning need not involve video cameo appearances, something I struggle with, and, to be honest, as a sometimes student myself, often find mind numbing.  

As the internet explorations often do, that lead me to a buried link outlining 5 ways to embrace flipped learning without the video camera.That's something I can get on board with.  Here's the link for 5 suggestions that might actually work out better for you and your students. https://rtalbert.org/flipped-learning-without-video/  

Regardless of what you choose, you need not chose alone.  Too often, however, in my own case, I'm stuck in the past because I'm comfortable with the past.  But a good life is not necessarily the comfortable life and good teaching is not necessarily comfortable either.  As Prof. Martindale writes: "Teaching is hard. Good teachers still have to know how to make contact with students and recognize a change in the climate of a classroom."  Id. But the hard things are often the best things in life.  And we are called to serve in one of the best pursuits of all - helping others become their dreams of service too as future attorneys.  (Scott Johns).

December 8, 2022 in Advice | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Muscle Learning: A Hypo a Day

That's my summary of a wonderful article sharing a helpful learning practice and the reasons behind it.  In the article, Prof. Dawn Young at the University of Idaho shares that "working a hypo a day can help you grow a gigantic analytical muscle" because the daily practice helps organize thoughts, see patterns, and learn exam analysis skills.  I wholeheartedly agree.  Here's the link for the details: Brunette, J, "3 Reasons a Hypo a Day will Keep Bad Grades Away," National Jurist (Nov. 30, 2022) (quoting and referencing Prof. Dawn Young).  (Scott Johns).

P.S. And, if you're in the midst of final exams, as many of you are at present, there's still ample time to start the habit, today.  In fact, starring at your outlines, trying to memorize them, is not near as useful as using your outlines to solve hypes and past final exam problems.  So take charge of your learning by courageously tackling and experiencing problems before you take on your remaining final exams.

December 7, 2022 in Advice, Encouragement & Inspiration, Exams - Studying, Learning Styles | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday, November 21, 2022

Series Blog No 3 - Learning by Doing

In this continuing series (please send me your thoughts about the ups and downs and best practices for academic support programming), here's the latest installment from Prof. Jackie Rodgers, detailing strategies that one school faced in overcoming bar exam obstacles in 2015.  

As the article suggests, the law school focused on incorporating the cognitive science that serves as the foundation for meaningful and effective learning with holistic programming throughout the law school experience flowing into early bar prep opportunities.  I particularly found the appendices helpful with a snapshot chart of assignments for a 1L foundations course and an example of applied legal analysis in criminal law.

Series Blog Post - Learning in Doing throughout the Law School Experience (Southwestern)

In addition, here are the links for the previous posts:

Series Blog Post - Intro

Series Blog No. 1 - Diverse Approaches (ASU)

Series Blog No. 2 - Manifold Ways (FIU)

Please let me know if you'd like to contribute a post in this continuing series. I'd love to hear from you and I can be reached at: [email protected]. (Scott Johns)

 

 

 

November 21, 2022 in Advice | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, October 28, 2022

The Manifold Ways of Reaching Law Students - A Blog Post by Louis Schulze (FIU)

In late August, ASU Law Professor Charles Calleros wrote a guest post calling for essay submissions describing different law schools’ academic support programs.

As described before, the purpose of this project is to assemble a number of those descriptions to demonstrate the many ways law schools can commit to their students’ success by investing genuinely and substantially in a robust academic support program. A Short Series of Blogs.  He noted that future contributions to this project would include guest posts by Jacquelyn Rogers (Southwestern) and Louis Schulze (FIU), and he invited others to contribute towards a larger piece. Those interested in contributing to the project should send a draft to me at [email protected]

In the meantime, Louis Schulze’s description essay can be found HERE.

October 28, 2022 in Advice, Encouragement & Inspiration, Study Tips - General, Teaching Tips | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

What to Expect When Your Loved-One is Expecting Bar Results!

Here's a terrific handout for bar takers to share with loved-ones as bar exam results are released (created by the Young Lawyer's Division of the Center for Legal Inclusiveness, Chair Marika Rietsema Ball, Esq.):

What to Expect - Bar Results

What to Expect - Bar Results  2

October 5, 2022 in Advice, Bar Exam Issues | Permalink | Comments (0)