Any of you 1L's who did well first semester a bit nervous? Forum

[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.

[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).

[paulinaporizkova]

OP, I don't feel bad for you

[missinglink]

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.

[dcpolitico]

No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.

[solotee]

I'm very nervous, but comforted by the fact that I at least have what it takes to do well.

[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.

[keg411]

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

[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?

[clintonius]

No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.

lol

[thebookcollector]

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.

[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.

[keg411]

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.

[174]

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!

[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.

[romothesavior]

No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.

lololololol no

[Doritos]

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.

[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.

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.

[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.

[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.

[flcath]

Opposite experience. I cannot get myself motivated to study this semester.

[Regionality]

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.

[romothesavior]

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.

[pleasetryagain]

No. If you are well prepared for class each day, excellent grades will usually follow.

lololololol no

[Regionality]

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?