Thursday, June 24, 2010

The Finish 1Line (Part II)



A very wise UBC Law professor once said "Law school is not a sprint....it is a marathon".





January
With two weeks away and 5 extra pounds from all that turkey, it’s time to head back to law school. Last year (and hopefully this year too) we were lucky to have the second week of Law in Context right when school started in January. This was a nice way to ease back into classes after turning off our brains over the break. Mid-January is also when you will receive the marks from your December exams. This can be a joyful, stressful, eye opening, or inspiring time (but for most of us it’s a bit of all these emotions wrapped up like a late Christmas present you’re not quite sure you want to open).

The best advice I can give is to take the time to speak with all of your profs about your exams to see where you went right and where you can improve. The great thing is that the first year profs at UBC are super friendly and are always more than willing to go over exams, give pointers, and even offer some moral support. Also keep in mind that December exams are “fail proof”. If you end up scoring better on your exam in April, the mark on your December exam will not count towards your final grade. Speaking from my own personal experience it is very possible to dramatically improve many of your grades between December and April so whatever you do, don't get discouraged!

On a much lighter note, January is a great month to head up to Whistler. My small group took the time to enjoy a weekend of snowboarding and skiing in the mountains before classes got back into full swing. This is something I highly recommend to all students, whether or not you ski!

February
Reading week arrives and the finish line is in sight! Take reading week to catch your breath and work on any assignments and CANs that you have been neglecting. Most importantly, take a couple days off and just relax. Many students use reading week as a chance to get out of Vancouver. Whether you are heading south to warmer weather or home to spend time with your family, try to get some R & R. February is also the month where you may start thinking more about your summer plans. Postings for summer jobs with UBC Law (like mine) and other law organizations will start to appear near the end of January and well into February and March. Be sure to keep your eyes open and start thinking early about how you want to spend those glorious 4 months off!

March
Just like last year, March is likely the month where all first years will have their very first mooting experience. Like many first years before you, you may be asking yourself, what the heck is a moot? Should I be concerned about this mysterious task? Will I actually be required to speak in front of my entire class? The answers of course are no! You should not be too concerned as the moot is graded on a pass/fail basis and students rarely fail. The moot will take place in a small classroom and the only individuals present will be your moot partner, another moot team (consisting of 2 of your classmates), and a panel of 3 judges (comprised of students, lawyers, professors, and judges). While you will be required to actually argue your side, by the time the moot rolls around you will have worked on your factum for hours and know your points like the back of your hand. The time will pass in a blur and before you know it, you will be back in your seat. It’s a bit of a nerve racking experience but students find it to be incredibly valuable and yes, even pretty fun[1].

April
For some of us, April will be one of the most hectic times we can recall. My advice: stay on top of your assignments, CANning, and studying + still take some “me” time to stay rejuvenated. Also, one of the most important things I discovered in my second semester of law school was my perfect place to study. If you can find that room, library, or coffee shop that lets you shut out the world and just stay focused then your life will be a whole lot easier! If you are the kind of person who can’t imagine staying home to study and not seeing your friends then find a study group. This is a great way to switch up your studying, get out for a while, and gain a better understanding of the materials. Some of my best studying by far was done with my friends (something I never would have dreamed of doing in undergrad!). Finally, be sure to surround yourself with supportive people. Half the battle of first year exams is a mental one. With the help of your classmates, friends, and family, if you can stay positive, focused, and truly believe that you have what it takes to be successful, then chances are you will.

Summer
The end has finally arrived! You are 1/3 a lawyer and 100% ready for summer break. Check out next week’s blog, “School’s Out for the Summer! …Now What?” to see the possibilities in store for your summer after 1L!


[1] For more information on your first year moot see: http://faculty.law.ubc.ca/rochette/word/Moot%20Court%20Rules%202006-2007.doc. There are also many competitive moot teams that you may choose to try out for near the end of your first year. You can receive credit in your second year if you are accepted to one of these teams!

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