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As I would love to transfer into a better school, I am really keen on doing well this semester. In order to really make it happen, I would need to jump from around top 15% of the class (where I am around now) to around 7% or something. Basically, I need to kill it come finals. I got a slew of A-'s and 2 B+, so I still feel like I need that extra help to really "get" the tests.

What do you suggest I do with the 3 weeks that I have? What helped you really do well in the second semester? What should the focus be on? I am going to try and get through the book "getting to maybe," is that a good idea?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Here are a few things that may help. Anecdotally, these have worked well for me in the past.

Alternative arguments (most important, IMO), references to analogies made in class, case and statute citation, etc.

Try and always throw in "Nevertheless, as a policy matter, xyz." (Just some big picture thing that shows how it would be hard to enforce/have some negative effect/etc).. you can basically have a one liner tee'd up for most big topics in your class. That'll help separate you a tad, assuming your other stuff is good

Do this at the very end of a big section/question response (i.e. somewhere it makes sense and don't spend more then 1-3 sentences on it, particularly with an issue spotter)

Focus on the word "because" - explain absolutely EVERYTHING

Git gud.

No but really, first I echo pretty much all of the above advice. The absolute best thing I've done to get A's is to never ever assume ANYTHING that is not black and white stated to be true. Always be ready to go to every possibility. Obviously, trek down the river from most obvious to least obvious to gather up the low hanging fruit points, but getting to the little stuff can push you over the edge.

Second, learn your professor. This is way better than simply learning the material or the class. Your professor has a way they like things. Do they answer student questions a certain way? Do that. Use certain "Key phrases" that they made up? Use them. Your professors are writing the test, so if two exams are identical, but one catches their natural instincts, that one will get the bump.

I feel like if you're getting A-'s, Getting to Maybe might waste your time, but I did read it before school and again before 1L fall exams started, and I found it very helpful. Hope this helps!

I don't understand why you're aiming for an A and not an A+.

zot1 wrote:I don't understand why you're aiming for an A and not an A+.

Hey, it's only three weeks (now more like two).

Get in your professor's head and answer questions the way they answer them in class.

Joscellin wrote:Get in your professor's head and answer questions the way they answer them in class.

I think this is great advice. I have taken a sickening number of years of schooling and this has worked at every level. It isn't a matter of having the same opinions of the professor, but you want your mental map of the course material to match theirs. That way when you get a question you know exactly what material they expect to see in the response.