UMiami 1L this fall 2010...Tips for studying/ exams Forum

[eagles86]

I will be a 1L this fall at UMiami and was wondering what other past 1Ls say contributed to high grades (or low/average ones). Posters from any school are welcome. I know some people on these boards say that everything is a crapshoot but there must be some correlation with studying/ higher grades. For instance, you wont study the week before and get an A, nor will you study 24/7 at most schools and still get a C-.
Some say that many students dont do as well because they dont know "how to take a law school exam". What do most professors look for in general?

Quality of Life: How many hours per week do you study? Play intramural sports during spare time? Study at home or the library? I get the feeling not freaking out is the way to go because everyone else will be going nuts.

[jp0094]

Realize there is an entire sticky thread devoted to this topic or similar topics.

I'll start you off with this good guide: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=77628

[eagles86]

Thanks...I'll begin reading lol

[A'nold]

For instance, you wont study the week before and get an A.

[eagles86]

very good post there, dont know if all that reading is neccessary this summer but I'll do some so I have a basic background for my 1L courses. Loyola is also a similarly ranked school so I found this very helpful.

[traehekat]

very good post there, dont know if all that reading is neccessary this summer but I'll do some so I have a basic background for my 1L courses. Loyola is also a similarly ranked school so I found this very helpful.

If nothing else, read GTM. Since I don't feel like studying for my 8:00 AM final tomorrow anymore, here is some more reading for you...

JayCutler'sCombover
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 11&t=77498
Exam Advice
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... exams.html
More Exam Advice
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblaw ... -advi.html
xeoh85
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=36635
Wahoo1L
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=78769
Anonymous NYU Student
http://www.top-law-schools.com/success- ... chool.html
Scribe
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 11&t=84040
MegaTTTron
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=104810
After grades - What did we learn?
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=22536
If I could do my first semester over again...
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=19378

Phew... enjoy.

[dslslave]

Realistically, none of these tips made any sense until I got to law school. It's tough to try and "master" a law school exam before you've ever seen a law school hypo or have tried to write one out. I would tell you to enjoy your summer, south florida is going to be scorching hot, might as well get some sun before you get to law school and end up as a pale, white 1L!!!

[OperaSoprano]

Arrow ought to be on here: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=77628

He was my very first study mentor, and a kind and thoughtful person IRL.

Also second the accolade for Scribe. The author clearly has a gift for this, and wants others to be just as successful.

Good luck, OP!

[eagles86]

I think I'll do the E&E's for the 1L courses. Not sure if its worth doing everything on this list. Some of things like Planet Law School I think I can do without. Of course getting old exams, outlines can help too.

[hithere]

Well, you can start by learning the black letter law and all its nuances for each 1L subject. That is going to be necessary whether you're taking a multiple choice exam or traditional issue spotter. Learn the law and get very fast at applying it correctly to random fact patterns and you will be fine on exam day. If you start now, you will have a leg up on your classmates since the extra practice should make you quicker at applying the law. Good sources for learning the law are commercial outlines (Sum and Substance, Black Letter Law series, Gilbert's), E&Es, Crunchtime, Law in a Flash flashcards, etc.

[mikeytwoshoes]

[strike]Well, you can start by learning the black letter law and all its nuances for each 1L subject. That is going to be necessary whether you're taking a multiple choice exam or traditional issue spotter. Learn the law and get very fast at applying it correctly to random fact patterns and you will be fine on exam day. If you start now, you will have a leg up on your classmates since the extra practice should make you quicker at applying the law. Good sources for learning the law are commercial outlines (Sum and Substance, Black Letter Law series, Gilbert's), E&Es, Crunchtime, Law in a Flash flashcards, etc.[/strike]

Full strike is just not enough for that post.