7 Weeks In

I've survived my first 7 weeks and my first graded midterm! While I will not receive my grade for another week or so, the experience was very helpful. I now have a better idea how to effectively study for my exams and have come up with some tips that will hopefully help others.

1. OUTLINE OUTLINE OUTLINE! At first I didn't understand why there was such an emphasis on outlining. To me, reading over my notes seemed sufficient enough. However, after looking over sample outlines provided by 2Ls, I realized the importance. Outlines provide a concise and organized view of your notes. If your notes are anything like mine there are random bits of information here and there, and incomplete sentences. None of the information on its own makes sense. Outlining takes those incomplete bits and makes them coherent. I would have been lost without my outline
2. Hypotheticals. While it is important to memorize the important parts of your outline, it won't do any good if the concepts cannot be applied and expanded on. This is where I most likely lost all of my points. I am used to the "memorize and regurgitate" aspect of undergrad testing. My preparation was revolved around that sort of testing model. Law school exams are not memorize and regurgitate. It is important to have the main concepts memorized, but it is just as important to think of hypothetical situations and apply the concepts to them. My outline was severely lacking in hypos, making it difficult for me to apply certain concepts to the fact patterns given. Hypos also allow you to intertwine the concepts. The "bigger picture" if you will.
3. Breathe. The biggest stressor of studying was not the material itself, it was my classmates. Stress builds in groups, so while small group study sessions are helpful make sure to have time to yourself. I was more stressed when I was around my friends. Because they were stressed I felt like I needed to worry about the exam more. Don't. You'll survive. Give yourself 30min or so to relax or to work on something else. Find somewhere outside of the law library to study.

Come exam time I will definitely be putting these tips into good use.