Tips for Midterms/Final Exams

You might have heard from your peers, professors or friends: Your performance in your first year of law school is crucial. And how well you do on your exams is dependent on your preparation. While studying for exams can be a stressful time, it’s important to remember that every person’s brain works differently. The tactic that works for your classmate might not work for you. Here are a few tips that I have found helpful over the last 2 years:

REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW. Just because you don’t have an exam until the end of the semester does not mean that you should wait until the reading period to begin your review. Law school is vastly different from undergraduate school and cramming just won’t work. Make time for frequent review over the course of the semester.
ATTEND REVIEW SESSIONS. Some professors and/or Academic Success Fellows hold review sessions prior to exams. This is a great way to clarify issues and clear up any confusing concepts. Moreover, helpful tips regarding how to write your exam answers in a way that will earn you the most points are often shared during review sessions.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FEEDBACK FROM YOUR PROFESSORS. If your professor distributes a practice question and says that he/she will review your answer if you submit it by a certain time, DO IT! This is a great opportunity to get your professor’s input and make any necessary adjustments before your performance is graded.
CREATE A STUDY PLAN. Many students complain that they do not have enough time to brief cases, prepare outlines and/or take practice exams. They’re wrong! By planning your time in advance, you will have enough time to meet all of the demands of law school and have time to enjoy some outside activities.
REVIEW YOUR EXAMS. Meet with your professors to review your exams after grades have been posted. This is the best way to determine what you did well and what you need to improve.
DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE COMPETITION ASPECT OF LAW SCHOOL. Only one student can finish at the top of the class. So instead of setting #1 as your goal, focus on doing your very best. Also, be supportive of and respectful to your classmates. It will make for a more positive law school experience for you and your peers.