Will This Work For 1L? Forum

[lawblahblah]

Obviously I do not know if this is going to place me where I want in the class, but here is my plan.

I have decided to wait until October 17th to look at any supplements, outlines, Cali lessons, or take any practice tests. I spent a couple hours carefully reviewing past exams at the beginning of the semester to focus my reading. Including class I am working 84 hours a week (12 per day - I am married and my wife is willing to do all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry for 1L). I did 18 credits each semester of undergrad and worked 40 hours a week, so I am not too concerned about burning out. For reading I go through once with a highlighter, and underline what seems relevant. I go over it again notating in the margins and a final time taking those notes and organizing them on my computer. Saturday I combine reading and class notes and spend some time reviewing everything that we covered that week. One Sunday a month I review everything in each class for the semester (this is really just reading through all of my notes and thinking about important points) I am doing two weeks worth of reading each week (currently a day short of two weeks ahead) and will be done with all the reading on October 17th. I am careful not to eliminate much at this point since I am still figuring out what is important. All of my class will have about 70-80 pages worth of notes. I will continue to combine notes on Saturdays after I am done with the readings. After I am done with all the reading I will spend Sunday through Tuesday studying supplements and other outlines as I work through my notes and try to produce an outline for each class. Wednesday through Friday I will take practice tests and do Cali Lessons. By the middle of November I hope to have much of the outlining and studying in supplements done so that I can spend the last 3-4 weeks just focusing on practice exams. During those last weeks I also plan to re-read Getting to Maybe and doing LEEWS if I feel it is necessary after the first weeks of taking practice tests.

The idea is to get through it all once, so when I start to really dig into the material I will have a broader context to pull from. I would love to hear criticisms so I know what to watch out for and subtle adjustments I can make to avoid traps. At least criticisms other than how reading ahead will waste time since I will have to re-read before class. That has not been an issue yet and my professors are really chill, so it is not a big deal if I am a little hazy on the details in class.

[vanwinkle]

Any rigid plan is a bad plan.

Use supplements when you feel like you're falling behind, or want to get ahead. This will happen sooner in some subjects than others. You may find it more difficult to process Criminal Law than Contracts, for example, and thus it'll make sense to hit a Crim supplement far before a Contracts supplement.

[kalvano]

Way, way too rigid.

Too many notes (take notes on important stuff, not everything). I would also say being two weeks ahead in reading is too far. I try and do most of the upcoming week's reading on the weekends.

You may never need to touch a supplement in a class. Don't assume you will.

I'm on to my third week, and all I can say is relax. You'll figure out which classes you need extra prep for and which you don't. Just do the readings, listen in class, take appropriate notes (read - not 70-80 pages worth), and just focus on what the professor wants you to take away, the rule such as it is.

Outline once a month or so, and again, just relax.

[lawblahblah]

I'm on to my third week, and all I can say is relax...and again, just relax.

I wish I could get the relax concept down, I guess it's not in my genes. I envy you.

[kalvano]

Stressing out about it and working 10 - 14 hours a day on it isn't going to make it any easier.

You have some good ideas, but you can boil it down further and cut out a lot of time.

Read a week or so in advance.
Ignore supplements unless you really don't understand something.
Outline once a month or so in order to organize notes and not have to do it all at the end.
DON'T take notes on extraneous crap. Focus on the exam.
Do leave a lot of time, especially later on, for practice exams and answers. That is, by all accounts, the best way to write an "A" exam.

If you try and stick to this rigid schedule, it will probably stress you out even more, as you won't be able to follow it exactly.

[Lawl Shcool]

Your head is in the right place but like others said the plan is too rigid. You have to take each class in stride and have a plan for each based on how well you are understanding it, the professor, etc. For example, last year I never used a supplement for contracts, was basically married to one for property and civ pro, and lightly used them for the other classes.

[lawblahblah]

Thank you for the suggestions and insight.

[GATORTIM]

Overkill

[Roger Goodell Castro]

OP, don't let people tell you what you're capable of doing. In high school I was told by counselors, teachers, and my peers that I wasn't capable of taking six AP classes all at once; I proved them wrong by get a 3 or higher on all seven exams (English had two exams). In college a counselor told me I couldn't handle taking 18 credits one semester; I proved her wrong with a 4.0 that semester. People will always try telling you what you can't do; I'm here telling you what you can do. If you truly do have a wife as awesome as the one you described, and if you truly do have the will to put in all those hours of study, then I think your plan sounds awesome. Your odds of getting a 4.0 will be fairly high. Best of luck to you, buddy.

[lawschooliseasy]

OP, don't let people tell you what you're capable of doing. In high school I was told by counselors, teachers, and my peers that I wasn't capable of taking six AP classes all at once; I proved them wrong by get a 3 or higher on all seven exams (English had two exams). In college a counselor told me I couldn't handle taking 18 credits one semester; I proved her wrong with a 4.0 that semester. People will always try telling you what you can't do; I'm here telling you what you can do. If you truly do have a wife as awesome as the one you described, and if you truly do have the will to put in all those hours of study, then I think your plan sounds awesome. Your odds of getting a 4.0 will be fairly high. Best of luck to you, buddy.

[COURAGEWOLF] EAT TEXTBOOKS, SHIT STRAIGHT A'S [/COURAGEWOLF]

[kalvano]

OP, don't let people tell you what you're capable of doing. In high school I was told by counselors, teachers, and my peers that I wasn't capable of taking six AP classes all at once; I proved them wrong by get a 3 or higher on all seven exams (English had two exams). In college a counselor told me I couldn't handle taking 18 credits one semester; I proved her wrong with a 4.0 that semester. People will always try telling you what you can't do; I'm here telling you what you can do. If you truly do have a wife as awesome as the one you described, and if you truly do have the will to put in all those hours of study, then I think your plan sounds awesome. Your odds of getting a 4.0 will be fairly high. Best of luck to you, buddy.

No one has told him what he can and cannot do.

[zanda]

OP, don't let people tell you what you're capable of doing. In high school I was told by counselors, teachers, and my peers that I wasn't capable of taking six AP classes all at once; I proved them wrong by get a 3 or higher on all seven exams (English had two exams). In college a counselor told me I couldn't handle taking 18 credits one semester; I proved her wrong with a 4.0 that semester. People will always try telling you what you can't do; I'm here telling you what you can do. If you truly do have a wife as awesome as the one you described, and if you truly do have the will to put in all those hours of study, then I think your plan sounds awesome. Your odds of getting a 4.0 will be fairly high. Best of luck to you, buddy.

No one has told him what he can and cannot do.

also, lol at comparing 6 AP classes to law school, and getting 3s or higher (a 3 amounts to a C for those unfamiliar, and is at the middle of the curve) to doing well in law school.

[Lawl Shcool]

Ya OP was asking about his specific study strategy not about whether it was possible. I critique of that strategy is that burnout is possible, something OP should at least consider. But this is all secondary to the main point which is OP should tailor a study strategy for each class rather than using the same for all of them.

[creamedcats]

Any rigid plan is a bad plan.

Not necessarily. OP read past exams, which is good (you should do it again later), you take notes the same way I do and it works for me. If the 'routine' increases your efficiency, fine, but consider whether being a bit more freeform might benefit you. I'm not going to criticize a structured plan because it's structured; I went through my syllabi and added the supplements related to the reading, but I don't do it a certain day of the week, I just do it at some point that week. And I read for pleasure, too, which is definitely keeping my mind active.

I supplement one subject at a time. I do not work far ahead in any subject. One or two days, tops, sometimes not at all. That's something I'm concerned about. I did some supplemental learning (very general) in advance, but the assigned material I want to be fresh.

I concur with Roger, if it works for you, stick to it. But be conscious of burnout. Relaxing doesn't mean 'sit around and do nothing', it means 'do something unrelated' or take a nap or whatever. There's no need to go to excess, just change things up. You want to be both prepared and reasonably healthy/rested when the end of semester rolls around.

[09042014]

OP, don't let people tell you what you're capable of doing. In high school I was told by counselors, teachers, and my peers that I wasn't capable of taking six AP classes all at once; I proved them wrong by get a 3 or higher on all seven exams (English had two exams). In college a counselor told me I couldn't handle taking 18 credits one semester; I proved her wrong with a 4.0 that semester. People will always try telling you what you can't do; I'm here telling you what you can do. If you truly do have a wife as awesome as the one you described, and if you truly do have the will to put in all those hours of study, then I think your plan sounds awesome. Your odds of getting a 4.0 will be fairly high. Best of luck to you, buddy.

3's on AP? Are you retarded son?

[Roger Goodell Castro]

OP, don't let people tell you what you're capable of doing. In high school I was told by counselors, teachers, and my peers that I wasn't capable of taking six AP classes all at once; I proved them wrong by get a 3 or higher on all seven exams (English had two exams). In college a counselor told me I couldn't handle taking 18 credits one semester; I proved her wrong with a 4.0 that semester. People will always try telling you what you can't do; I'm here telling you what you can do. If you truly do have a wife as awesome as the one you described, and if you truly do have the will to put in all those hours of study, then I think your plan sounds awesome. Your odds of getting a 4.0 will be fairly high. Best of luck to you, buddy.

3's on AP? Are you retarded son?

No, I'm not retarded as evidenced by the 4.0 during my 18 credit semester. Are you retarded? Most colleges give free credits for 3s and higher. In other words, if you get a 3 in chemistry you've tested out of the college chemistry requirement; if you get a 3 in biology you've tested out of biology. You don't get a grade for those courses, but it's nice not to have to take those classes again. It's great for people like me who know in high school that they have no interest in the hard sciences and would like to get those courses out of the way BEFORE going to college. People like you need to listen before saying/writing things you know nothing about. Besides, you missed the whole point of the post. I was telling the OP not to let people tell him what he can't do.

[09042014]

OP, don't let people tell you what you're capable of doing. In high school I was told by counselors, teachers, and my peers that I wasn't capable of taking six AP classes all at once; I proved them wrong by get a 3 or higher on all seven exams (English had two exams). In college a counselor told me I couldn't handle taking 18 credits one semester; I proved her wrong with a 4.0 that semester. People will always try telling you what you can't do; I'm here telling you what you can do. If you truly do have a wife as awesome as the one you described, and if you truly do have the will to put in all those hours of study, then I think your plan sounds awesome. Your odds of getting a 4.0 will be fairly high. Best of luck to you, buddy.

3's on AP? Are you retarded son?

No, I'm not retarded as evidenced by the 4.0 during my 18 credit semester. Are you retarded? Most colleges give free credits for 3s and higher. In other words, if you get a 3 in chemistry you've tested out of the college chemistry requirement; if you get a 3 in biology you've tested out of biology. You don't get a grade for those courses, but it's nice not to have to take those classes again. It's great for people like me who know in high school that they have no interest in the hard sciences and would like to get those courses out of the way BEFORE going to college. People like you need to listen before saying/writing things you know nothing about. Besides, you missed the whole point of the post. I was telling the OP not to let people tell him what he can't do.

What kind of rancid TTT undergrad gives credit for 3's?

[Roger Goodell Castro]

OP, don't let people tell you what you're capable of doing. In high school I was told by counselors, teachers, and my peers that I wasn't capable of taking six AP classes all at once; I proved them wrong by get a 3 or higher on all seven exams (English had two exams). In college a counselor told me I couldn't handle taking 18 credits one semester; I proved her wrong with a 4.0 that semester. People will always try telling you what you can't do; I'm here telling you what you can do. If you truly do have a wife as awesome as the one you described, and if you truly do have the will to put in all those hours of study, then I think your plan sounds awesome. Your odds of getting a 4.0 will be fairly high. Best of luck to you, buddy.

No one has told him what he can and cannot do.

also, lol at comparing 6 AP classes to law school, and getting 3s or higher (a 3 amounts to a C for those unfamiliar, and is at the middle of the curve) to doing well in law school.

The point I was making is that back in high school I didn't listen to those who told me I wasn't capable of pulling off six AP classes, and obviously I proved them wrong by earning 21 college credits that year. Like I explained in my previous post, most colleges automatically test you out of the corresponding college course if you get a 3 or higher on an AP exam. Or at least that's how it was done back when I was a high school senior/college freshman. They also give you free (albeit ungraded) credits that can go toward your graduation requirements, thus allowing you to graduate early from college. Also, I love how you completely ignored the fact that I got 18 credits of A's in one semester of undergrad. What an idiot.

[kalvano]

I wouldn't be very proud of the fact that you overworked yourself and were astonishingly mediocre.

[Cupidity]

Do the reading, keep your notes organized until November 1st. Then balls to the wall man.

Don't stress too early or you will burn out. But don't slack on the finish.

[Roger Goodell Castro]

OP, don't let people tell you what you're capable of doing. In high school I was told by counselors, teachers, and my peers that I wasn't capable of taking six AP classes all at once; I proved them wrong by get a 3 or higher on all seven exams (English had two exams). In college a counselor told me I couldn't handle taking 18 credits one semester; I proved her wrong with a 4.0 that semester. People will always try telling you what you can't do; I'm here telling you what you can do. If you truly do have a wife as awesome as the one you described, and if you truly do have the will to put in all those hours of study, then I think your plan sounds awesome. Your odds of getting a 4.0 will be fairly high. Best of luck to you, buddy.

3's on AP? Are you retarded son?

No, I'm not retarded as evidenced by the 4.0 during my 18 credit semester. Are you retarded? Most colleges give free credits for 3s and higher. In other words, if you get a 3 in chemistry you've tested out of the college chemistry requirement; if you get a 3 in biology you've tested out of biology. You don't get a grade for those courses, but it's nice not to have to take those classes again. It's great for people like me who know in high school that they have no interest in the hard sciences and would like to get those courses out of the way BEFORE going to college. People like you need to listen before saying/writing things you know nothing about. Besides, you missed the whole point of the post. I was telling the OP not to let people tell him what he can't do.

What kind of rancid TTT undergrad gives credit for 3's?

My undergad school, which ranks in the top 75 according to US News. Look man, it's not my job to explain everything you know nothing about. You're not 2 years old anymore. Go do your own research.

[Roger Goodell Castro]

I wouldn't be very proud of the fact that you overworked yourself and were astonishingly mediocre.

Where did I mention that I worked hard??? I didn't work hard that senior year; I showed up to class, rarely did homework, got all A's in my classes, and did just enough to get 3's and 4's on my AP exams so that I could test out of all those college credits. The POINT of my post, which I've stated a couple times now, was that I didn't listen to all those counselors, teachers, and students who said I was incapable of taking 6 AP exams. Had I actually put in some effort I probably would have got all 5's, which is basically what I did the semester in college where I took 18 credits and got all A's. You really need to read closer and stop making false assumptions. I never said I was "very proud of the fact that I overworked" myself. But I am proud of the fact that I 1) didn't listen to the naysayers my senior year, and 2) I proved them wrong and had the last laugh by being able to graduate early from college.

[MiamiUG]

I have a feeling that Goodell did pretty badly on RC.

[UW2UVA]

18 credits is average at the undergrad I was at... 21 is where ppl started to doubt one's skills..

[Nicholasnickynic]

Obviously I do not know if this is going to place me where I want in the class, but here is my plan.

I have decided to wait until October 17th to look at any supplements, outlines, Cali lessons, or take any practice tests. I spent a couple hours carefully reviewing past exams at the beginning of the semester to focus my reading. Including class I am working 84 hours a week (12 per day - I am married and my wife is willing to do all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry for 1L). I did 18 credits each semester of undergrad and worked 40 hours a week, so I am not too concerned about burning out. For reading I go through once with a highlighter, and underline what seems relevant. I go over it again notating in the margins and a final time taking those notes and organizing them on my computer. Saturday I combine reading and class notes and spend some time reviewing everything that we covered that week. One Sunday a month I review everything in each class for the semester (this is really just reading through all of my notes and thinking about important points) I am doing two weeks worth of reading each week (currently a day short of two weeks ahead) and will be done with all the reading on October 17th. I am careful not to eliminate much at this point since I am still figuring out what is important. All of my class will have about 70-80 pages worth of notes. I will continue to combine notes on Saturdays after I am done with the readings. After I am done with all the reading I will spend Sunday through Tuesday studying supplements and other outlines as I work through my notes and try to produce an outline for each class. Wednesday through Friday I will take practice tests and do Cali Lessons. By the middle of November I hope to have much of the outlining and studying in supplements done so that I can spend the last 3-4 weeks just focusing on practice exams. During those last weeks I also plan to re-read Getting to Maybe and doing LEEWS if I feel it is necessary after the first weeks of taking practice tests.

The idea is to get through it all once, so when I start to really dig into the material I will have a broader context to pull from. I would love to hear criticisms so I know what to watch out for and subtle adjustments I can make to avoid traps. At least criticisms other than how reading ahead will waste time since I will have to re-read before class. That has not been an issue yet and my professors are really chill, so it is not a big deal if I am a little hazy on the details in class.

DO it. 1L is giant.
Unless the people telling you to do less did so themselves and made law review, I say ignore their advice.