• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Law School Toolbox®

All the tools you need for law school success

  • Tutoring
  • Courses
    • Start Law School Right
  • Job Help
  • Law School 101
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • About

Time For a Mid-Semester Check In – How Are You Doing So Far?

October 24, 2016 By Alexa Galloway Leave a Comment

Mid-semester checkin

My school just finished fall break, which means, like most schools, we’ve reached the halfway point of the semester and final exams will be here in the blink of an eye. At this point, self-evaluation is a great way to gauge where you are and what changes you can make to put your best self out there.

Below is a list of questions to ask yourself to help evaluate your work up to this point.

How have I been preparing for my exams?

Since all (or most) of your grades will come down to one final exam, it’s imperative you’re correctly prepared. At this point, you should be able to answer these questions in the affirmative:

Do I know the format of my exam?

  • Is it multiple choice? Essay? A combination of the two?
  • Is it open note or closed book?
  • Has my professor made any past exams available and where can I find them?

If the professor hasn’t said this openly in class, email them or go into their office hours.

Am I taking practice tests?

  • It’s probably drilled into your head by now that taking practice tests is the best way to prepare for your exams – and that’s because it is. Practice tests are the perfect way to test drive your outline and make sure you’re understanding what a good exam will look like.

Am I writing hypos?

  • The importance of taking practice tests was drilled into my head early on but I wish the ability to write a hypo was too. There is no better way to remember a point from class than creating a hypo to apply a bright line rule too. You should be creating hypos every day.

Are you attending class?

Attending every class is so important. When students feel they are falling behind in reading, they’ll think they should miss class in order to catch up, which is a horrible method. Professors know students can access the reading at all times but won’t have easy access to what was learned in class and will likely put in class material on the final to set the curve.

How are your class notes?

It’s recommended you review your lectures notes in detail at least once per week. When looking over your class notes, ask: is the method you chose effectively working for you? This is not the time for any drastic changes but simple adjustments could make the difference in the work you produce, like writing your notes using the Cornell method.

Have you gone to your professor’s office hours?

I’m at fault for not going as often as I should which is ridiculous because the professors are literally setting aside an hour to help you work through any problems you have with the class. Now is the time to go into their office and clear up any questions you have. Emailing your professor a quick question might seem like the easier way to connect but the professor is likely to only give you a quick answer, where in person they could expand on the topic in depth.

Are your study habits working for you?

After hearing the horror stories of group studying, I started off my first semester studying alone. This worked pretty well but towards the end of the semester I started studied with a few people to go over big class topics. I realized this approach worked great for me to clear up any inconsistencies in my outline.

Are your outlines up to date?

Speaking of outlines- do not wait until November 1st to start your outlines. If you leave outlining until the end of the semester, it isn’t as effective because a big part of outlining is filling in the holes. This point is also a great time to start your attack outlines (the ones you memorize).

Are you taking care of yourself?

I find that both my classmates and myself will rarely ask this question because not taking care of yourself can be seen almost as a badge of honor. I’ve had classmates say – “I haven’t slept more than four hours in the past three days….” – to prove to everyone how hard they’ve been working. First off, this approach isn’t super effective and the person who slept a full 8 hours and took an afternoon nap isn’t any less hardworking than the student who stayed in the library until 2 AM. It’s all about balance.

Exercising, eating well, sleeping and setting aside valuable breaks for yourself is one of the most important keys to succeeding in school. If you’re having trouble managing time to take care of yourself, feel free to reach out to your student services or a faculty advisor- they’re all there to help, especially in matters like this.

In conclusion, the middle of the semester is really just the beginning of the most adrenaline-charged time of the year. You have the chance to really show your professors and yourself what you can accomplish. You might feel that you don’t have a lot of control of your grades because of the deadly curve, but keep in mind that you do have a lot of control over how you approach finals. Good luck and show everyone what you’re made of!

— – —

Want more law school tips? Sign up for our free mailing list today.

Other helpful posts:

  • Time for a Mid-Semester Reality Check
  • You’re Half Way Through the Semester, Now What?
  • Mid-Semester Law School To-Do List (podcast)
  • Your Mid-Semester Law School Reality Check

Photo Credit: Shutterstock


 

Looking for some help to do your best in law school? Find out about our law school tutoring options.


About Alexa Galloway

Alexa has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Boston University and is a current law student in the Bay area. Before attending law school, she worked as a field reporter for the BU soccer team and as a sports broadcaster in the Cape Cod Baseball League. When not studying, Alexa is thinking about how she really needs to be studying.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Podcast
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Us

If you find law school tough, you are not alone! The Law School Toolbox team is here to help you through it. Check out our helpful free content, podcasts, courses and one-on-one tutoring. Thanks for stopping by and drop us a line if you have any questions. We also invite you to join our weekly mailing list, for advice right to your inbox.

Recent Posts

How to Get Strong Law School Recommendations

How to Get Strong Law School Recommendations

Recommendation letters, in addition to your personal statement and resume, are a vital part of the qualitative portion of your law school application. … Read More about How to Get Strong Law School Recommendations

Podcast Microphone

Podcast Episode 353: Tips for a Successful Callback Interview (w/Sadie Jones)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to discuss how to prepare for the second round … Read More about Podcast Episode 353: Tips for a Successful Callback Interview (w/Sadie Jones)

Library Etiquette for 1Ls

Library Etiquette for 1Ls

For many law students, law school is one of the first times that you’re really forced to put a significant amount of effort into your studying. … Read More about Library Etiquette for 1Ls

Podcast Microphone

Podcast Episode 352: Listen and Learn — Best Evidence Rule

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're focusing on an important topic in Evidence – the Best Evidence Rule, which requires a … Read More about Podcast Episode 352: Listen and Learn — Best Evidence Rule

So You Want to go to Law School. What Should You Do Next?

So You Want to go to Law School. What Should You Do Next?

Deciding you want to go to law school, whether you’re still in college, a few years out, or well into your career, is a huge moment. Maybe you’ve … Read More about So You Want to go to Law School. What Should You Do Next?

Want Better Law School Grades?

Sign Up for Our Exam Tips!

Footer

  • Podcast
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Tutoring
  • Courses
  • Job Help
  • About
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Refunds

Copyright 2022 Law School Toolbox®™