I wanted to highlight a mistake that I frequently find is made by law students while studying for finals.
When students are studying for multiple exams, students spend their time disproportionately on the class they either like the most or understand the best.
Why? Well because it is easier and it makes us feel good! Like we actually understand the material.
Study What You DON’T Know
But instead, I challenge you to study what you don’t understand and what you find is the most challenging material.
Why? Because it is likely to be on the test, and it is also going to make sure you are ready for anything your professor throws at you.
Make a Plan for Learning the Hard Material
So how do you do this?
- Make a plan balancing your study time between subjects. Take out a calendar and write out which days you are going to study which subjects. And make sure they are balanced (if a class is worth more units, it may need more time). The class you feel the best about may be the class that gets the least time.
- When studying a given class, start a list of topics that you are weak on or still need to memorize. Keep that list with your outline. When you sit down to study, start with that list. As you learn or feel comfortable about one of those topics, cross it off the list. The idea is that by the time that you get to the exam, there will be nothing left on that list.
- Complete practice questions on the difficult material. If your professor hasn’t circulated any, have no fear! We have discussed different ways to find practice questions. But if your professor hasn’t circulated a question on that material, do you think it is likely it will show up on the test? Perhaps so!
Keeping these tips in mind will help you be prepared for whatever your professor throws your way!
Good luck!
—
Are you on our mailing list? Sign up now and you won’t miss any useful posts!
Here are some other similar posts you might like:
Why Sample Answers are Law School Gold
How Do You Know What’s Going to Be on the Exam?
Two Simple Ways to Become a Better Law School Test Taker
Image by nyuszika via stock.xchng.
Looking for some help to do your best in law school? Find out about our law school tutoring options.
Very important concept! It’s what’s described in this Study Hacks article (excellent, by the way) as “pseudo-striving”: http://calnewport.com/blog/2012/04/29/do-what-works-not-whats-satisfying-pseudo-striving-and-our-fear-of-reality-based-planning/. Or, in other words, feeling busy and productive, but avoiding the really hard work that leads to real results.