Courtney Boykin, University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
Law school midterms are upon and while they’re just miniature exams and rarely count as much as final exams, they’re still very important.
Beyond the fact that they count for a particular percentage of our grades, they also give us an opportunity to assess our comprehension and progress in the course.
Last week I had my law school midterms and I figured now would be a great time to share how I prepare.
Compile Your Notes
I handwrite most of my notes. So before any group or professor review session, I type my notes. I try to just type high-level rules and not necessarily hypos. This isn’t an elaborate outline… just my notes.
Group Sessions
When it comes to group study sessions, most people either love them or hate them. I’m somewhere in between. For me, it sort of depends on the topic. If I feel as though I have a grasp of the subject, I’ll study in a group. If not, then I tend to study by myself. Here, as with anything else, you have to know what works for you. Figure it out and do that.
Review Sessions
Most of my professors have review sessions before major quizzes or tests. I know some students don’t attend these sessions, but, personally, these are THE best opportunities to get an overview before the test or quiz. Additionally, these sessions are particularly helpful if you come with questions. At the same time, I’ve attended sessions when I didn’t have any questions and just sat and listened to other students’ questions (although sometimes this can cause confusion). Again, find out what works for you and do THAT!