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Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:42 am
by PitchO20
Besides the typical dread of 1L, the pressure is really on for us who did in the top 5-15% to keep it this second semester if we have any chance of transferring up. For me, I'm just at the top 10% mark. While it helps to know I've had one successful semester at law school, I can definitely feel the added pressure of maintaining/improving that GPA (along with the stress that goes along with applying EA and the transfer process in general). Meh, I guess it's better than having done shitty and trying to play catch up.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 1:05 pm
by fcowrx
I'd feel much better if I did top 10%. I did alright at top 25% but need to step it up if I want a shot at transferring into the T14. While this makes me nervous, even if I don't increase enough to transfer, I'm still happy graduating from my current T1 given my target market (secondary).
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 1:06 pm
by paulinaporizkova
OP, I don't feel bad for you
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:00 pm
by missinglink
PitchO20 wrote:Besides the typical dread of 1L, the pressure is really on for us who did in the top 5-15% to keep it this second semester if we have any chance of transferring up. For me, I'm just at the top 10% mark. While it helps to know I've had one successful semester at law school, I can definitely feel the added pressure of maintaining/improving that GPA (along with the stress that goes along with the applying EA and the transfer process in general). Meh, I guess it's better than having done shitty and trying to play catch up.
This.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:21 am
by dcpolitico
No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:09 am
by solotee
I'm very nervous, but comforted by the fact that I at least have what it takes to do well.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:31 pm
by random5483
I am nervous because I have something to lose now, but I am a lot less nervous than before I got my fall grades.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:14 pm
by keg411
random5483 wrote:I am nervous because I have something to lose now, but I am a lot less nervous than before I got my fall grades.
+1
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:45 pm
by Oakley84
I'm super nervous too! Grades came out and likely in the top 10%. I came in with the mentality that I was going to work hard, not go out, study study study and then transfer from a lower T2. The studying paid off and I'm working harder this semester with a much better grasp of what to focus on. Would love to transfer to UC Hastings because I would like to be in SF, which would have a shot, or maybe UCLA or USC. But now I'm doubting the whole transfer process, and considering not applying, simply because I'm scared to ask for letters of recommendation - especially to schools that require two. I'm not a gunner and don't really goto office hours - I find it more beneficial to read supplements and find the answers if I'm struggling rather than talking it out with a professor so it's difficult to get them to really know me! Any advice or shared thoughts?
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:48 pm
by clintonius
dcpolitico wrote:No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.
lol
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:53 pm
by thebookcollector
Oakley84 wrote:I'm super nervous too! Grades came out and likely in the top 10%. I came in with the mentality that I was going to work hard, not go out, study study study and then transfer from a lower T2. The studying paid off and I'm working harder this semester with a much better grasp of what to focus on. Would love to transfer to UC Hastings because I would like to be in SF, which would have a shot, or maybe UCLA or USC. But now I'm doubting the whole transfer process, and considering not applying, simply because I'm scared to ask for letters of recommendation - especially to schools that require two. I'm not a gunner and don't really goto office hours - I find it more beneficial to read supplements and find the answers if I'm struggling rather than talking it out with a professor so it's difficult to get them to really know me! Any advice or shared thoughts?
This. I'm probably in top 5% or higher at a T25. I really would like to transfer, but (a) I'm scared to ask for a LOR (b) the mechanics of transferring are a big challenge and (c) I don't want to give up my scholarship here. (I'd probably add $70,000 to $80,000 in debt if I transferred.)
What I'm nervous about is that the classes this semester are very different... Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, and Property. And I'm worried about being able to match last semester.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:56 pm
by Cupidity
I'm starting to get lazy, I finished well bellow the curve on my first writing assignment and probably my second. My final assignment is worth 50%, so I can still salvage it, but seriously, it is hard to work.
The other problem is, before grades I was content to scrape bottom for 1L summer work, find anything and take it. Now I have a 1% shot at all kinds of cool stuff, so I spend all day applying to hyper competitive employment only to be rejected and rejected again in search of that elusive 1L summer paycheck.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:08 am
by keg411
Cupidity wrote:The other problem is, before grades I was content to scrape bottom for 1L summer work, find anything and take it. Now I have a 1% shot at all kinds of cool stuff, so I spend all day applying to hyper competitive employment only to be rejected and rejected again in search of that elusive 1L summer paycheck.
That is why I didn't bother looking for paid work. I'm lucky enough that my grades give me a shot at a 2L paying job. I do think I've been a little lazier than I was last semester... though it hasn't hurt me yet.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:14 am
by 174
Cupidity wrote:I'm starting to get lazy, I finished well bellow the curve on my first writing assignment and probably my second. My final assignment is worth 50%, so I can still salvage it, but seriously, it is hard to work.
The other problem is, before grades I was content to scrape bottom for 1L summer work, find anything and take it. Now I have a 1% shot at all kinds of cool stuff, so I spend all day applying to hyper competitive employment only to be rejected and rejected again in search of that elusive 1L summer paycheck.
oh hai me!
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 2:16 am
by adude
yes. feeling very nervous after high grades first semester. what bugs me most is that I learned a much more efficient study method (akin to Arrow's) toward the end of last semester. Now I am using it and it's giving me a lot more time. That extra time makes me feel nervous, since I didn't ever have that kind of time last semester. I feel like I should be doing something academic with that time. I think I will just start outlining earlier and hit more practice tests. I would add other hornbooks, but honestly the E&E's are the only things that have been helpful, and they are quick reads. Prosser & Keaton was a waste of time.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 2:33 am
by romothesavior
dcpolitico wrote:No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.
lololololol no
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:21 pm
by Doritos
dcpolitico wrote:No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.
I agree to a certain extent. Being engaged and diligent throughout the semester helped me a lot. I found the classes I was most diligent in as far as keeping up as we went along were the ones I did the best in. However, briefing cases = waste of time.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:26 am
by Omerta
I'm surprisingly worried. I ended up Top 1-2% last semester. It's easy to explain away a bad first semester as adjustment. A bad second semester following a great first one is not going to be a fun part of an interview.
I'm way more efficient this term, so I feel like I'm not doing work and job related stuff takes up waaaay too much time.
Doritos wrote:dcpolitico wrote:No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.
I agree to a certain extent. Being engaged and diligent throughout the semester helped me a lot. I found the classes I was most diligent in as far as keeping up as we went along were the ones I did the best in. However, briefing cases = waste of time.
I'd still say depends on the teacher. One of my profs still has absolutely no idea who I am. Another one straight up told me that I moved up half a grade because of my class participation. I think you can feel/vibe which professors fall into each category.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:45 pm
by geekrocker37
Terrified. I did better than expected, and am somewhere in top 10%. I figure the same work pattern, same supplement use, and same mentality will yield similar results.
Honestly, I think it is all about knowing how to answer the Exam question. Other people surely studied more and knew the BLL better than me, but I heard many people only looked at practice exams the final few days of study week. Big mistake. I looked over professor's old exams, exams from American U database, and went through every Crunchtime question.
You have to figure that some people will improve, some people will slip, but most will stay in a similar spot. I vote for the 3rd option.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:28 pm
by shepdawg
At my school, the people who scored in the top 10% have to work even harder second semester, because my school pays for everyone in the bottom 50% to have private tutoring twice a week. So, the nubs who slacked first semester will hit second semester finals with new tricks up their sleeves.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:35 pm
by flcath
Opposite experience. I cannot get myself motivated to study this semester.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:44 pm
by Regionality
dcpolitico wrote:No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.
And to this I would add..
"and already get how law school and law exams work..."
I see people who did not do well their first semester come even more 'prepared' for class and I know they will not do well again. It's about how you think supported by how much you study.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:48 pm
by romothesavior
Regionality wrote:I see people who did not do well their first semester come even more 'prepared' for class and I know they will not do well again. It's about how you think supported by how much you study.
I think there is a lotta truth in this. A lot of people seem to think the path to better grades is to work harder and be more prepared. Unless you really slacked first semester, I can't see how re-reading each case a second time and scrawling out more notes in class is going to get you the A. Gotta work smarter, and figure out what the prof wants.
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 1:58 pm
by pleasetryagain
romothesavior wrote:dcpolitico wrote:No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.
lololololol no
Re: Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous?
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 2:02 pm
by Regionality
shepdawg wrote:At my school, the people who scored in the top 10% have to work even harder second semester, because my school pays for everyone in the bottom 50% to have private tutoring twice a week. So, the nubs who slacked first semester will hit second semester finals with new tricks up their sleeves.
Which rich school pays for this?