Top 3 Ways To Improve Law School Grades
If I had a bad semester, can I still be successful in law school?
Simply put. Yes. You are not doomed to be at the bottom of the curve, you can still pass the Bar and get a job after Law School. You. Can. Still. Be. Successful! Below are 3 Tips to improve your law school grades.
1. Prepare for Class by taking notes:
As you read the assignments for class ask yourself why are we reading this case; what is so important about this holding; what does this case establish about the law. This will help you remember essential information and stay engaged throughout the semester and actually learn and retain the information. In the beginning of your legal career it is important to case brief [https://www.jurisjourney.com/post/how-to-succeed-in-law-school-the-importance-of-case-briefing-case-briefing-is-a-critical-skill-for] but as you progress you start to make your own case brief system.
Here is an example of the notes that I took for a Civil Procedure (Civ Pro) class.
As you can see the reading assignment involved “Searches and Seizures” and I did my version of a case brief. Usually at the top of my notes is where I would put the main ideas of the cases assigned.
However, some classes have such dense cases I found it easier to book brief. Book briefing is just an easier way to brief a case by jotting down notes in the margins or by using specific highlighting technique to only highlight salient facts. For example, yellow would mean facts; pink would be the issue; blue would be the court’s reasoning etc. I also used sticky notes to preserve the book in case I wanted to sell it or if I was renting the book.
2. Take in class notes:
Improving your grades requires you to actively engage with the material by reading, writing, and working with the new information. This will help you not just regurgitate the information but truly LEARN the information and ace any exams thrown your way. It is essential to take meaningful notes during class. Rather than jotting down everything your professor says, focus on the key points and insights extracted from the case. This is what I mean, for the same “searches and seizures” class I took “in class notes”. Notice how I highlighted key takeaways. In addition for each case I wrote what was important to know about each case. For example, In Watson the Court determined it is not unreasonable to search without a warrant in the case of a felon and officers has sufficient evidence of a crime.
3. Read over your “in class” notes immediately after class
This is a tip I learned from an upperclassman when I was in law school. I am not sure of the science behind it but for some reason it helps solidify the information you learned in class. It’s another step that is pivotal to improving your grades. As you go over your notes (a task that should not take longer than 20 minutes) star, highlight make margin notes etc. about main points or overarching issues.
Improving your grades after a tough semester is not a science. There is not quick fix or hack but you can evaluate what went wrong or where you can improve and then implement that plan. But it is POSSIBLE, do NOT give up. You are not doomed to having subpar grades, and you are not doomed to lack of success.
