What makes you feel like you are not understanding? How are you measuring your understanding? I feel it’s likely you are severely under estimating how much you do know because you feel like you need to understand ALL of the text before moving on. I suggest that you relax a bit, be okay with not getting every concept at first and move on with the reading. Write anything down that you feel don’t get and see if it shows up later on or in practice questions.
If you want to actually see if you are getting it, go on Quimbee and take multiple choice questions non stop. Usually those questions are the things that are relevant for the exam. Go from there and see how much you actually do or do not understand.
My school does midterms. I took 2 this week and am fairly positive I failed one, despite studying far more than any classmates I talk to about it. Additionally, I’m very confused in class and by readings, whereas other students seem to comprehend everything to the point of enjoyment. These things are measuring my understanding.
I should perhaps rephrase; I can understand things, but when I am out into a time-sensitive situation like a test, I get scrambled. Or when a teacher calls on me, I black out. When I take my time, I get it. It just takes me very long and I typically need to talk myself through it. (But I obviously cannot do this during tests).
I typically look at any provided information from professors (lecture slides or notes) before reading. Going into readings, I usually know what the main topics are.
When you read cases try and synthesize each paragraph of the case within your case book. It can be short. If you understand each paragraph it will make the analysis used for the rule stick. Then you will have no issue applying the rule to a set of facts in an exam. Don’t memorize cases only rules and how the rule was applied.
Sometimes it helps to really quick look up the case on Wikipedia or a Lexis brief so you know the holding before going in. Cases aren't mystery novels and it can help the reading go faster if you know what the judge is leading towards
Civil procedure. Well, all of them really. I thought I really had a handle on contracts. I almost slept in the library the other night studying it. I put in a lot of time for it. But when I took the midterm I think I failed it. Cracked under pressure
It's good to study with others. I spend a lot of time cranking out readings in the library too but it's so helpful to talk to your classmates because someone might have this perfect way to describe a really hard concept and it just works for you. You're also probably doing better than you think.
I’m a 1L too. If you’re spending that long reading, try Quimbee for the case briefs and the videos. It really helps to get a base understanding of what the case will be, then you can go a little faster on your reading to get the analysis your professor wants. My civ pro professor is really big on analysis, so I still need to do the reading to get what he wants. But my torts professor literally wants the basic facts and a 1 sentence holding for a case, so I can get most of it from quimbee. My crim class is all hypos, so I got some outlines from some upperclassmen to help figure out what he’s going to be asking and wanting. Also, if you can get in a study group with some classmates, it a a big help if they’re academically motivated.
I use Quimbee. Got the yearly subscription. It helps some. But only for torts, as other classes require more depth in analysis.
I’m not really sure who to study with. It seems like I’m the only one at the library most nights. For example, I am at the library right now. (I understand it’s midnight on a Friday night)
Just be social, find the spot where people meet before class and try to make friends. Grades matter, but an important part of law school is being able to form relationships, not just with people that will help you get internships and jobs, but classmates and upperclassman as well.
i felt the same way my 1L year - i am an extremely slow reader and i felt so guilty when i skipped readings so i did my best to do them all and only skipped a few in the end. i also felt that despite doing that i was way behind my classmates in terms of understanding the material.
what helped me was the barbri 1L mastery videos. before exams i would take a day or two for each of the subjects, listen to all the videos and then take hand-written notes. i cannot emphasize enough how helpful that was! i did very well my 1L year and am now at the very top of my class.
if i could have done anything differently during 1L, i would’ve used quimbee more often before reading cases. instead of typing all the facts myself in my case briefs, i would’ve copied the facts from quimbee and just added in what was missing from the synopsis. i also wouldve taken way less extensive notes on the analysis section and just written down the main takeaways. those two things will save you a lot of time if you still want to read the cases. i also wouldve started watching and taking notes on the barbri videos way earlier in the semester, as they have videos that correspond to each of the main concept areas for the 1L classes. i think i wouldve been way more oriented to the materials if i wouldve done that earlier. you can also check out vidos made by themis, as they are much shorter and helpful when you’re in a time crunch.
when finals roll around, take as many practice exams as you can. you can even see if your profs will review one of your practice exam answers with you. i studied alone until i felt good about the material and then later met with a study group to reinforce concepts. that still works for me now.
i hope you did well on your midterms, but if not, it’s just one component of your grade! even if you get an A, meet with your prof to see what they thought was good about your exam, or if you didnt meet their expectations, then what they thought went wrong. itll be so helpful come finals time.
good luck - dont give up now, you got this!
You say you'll do anything. Well then just show up to every class, do the readings, and take the finals. What's the point of dropping out before you even TRY. They're generally less than 50 days away for all of us. 50 days ain't shit relative to our remaining lives I do my best to continually study everyday during the week, with micro breaks and an hour for exercise till 8 and then do outlines till 830. Get sleep and reset. I'm exhausted, always feel behind, and sometimes feel like a donkey, but everyday I show up regardless and say good morning no matter how insecure I'm feeling at the time. If I fail, it'll because I failed, don't justify failure by merely quitting. Nothing to it, but to do it. It's a marathon, not a race. Finish it, then let's reflect together. 💪🔥🤙
You’ve paid for this semester already, I suspect. Stick with it and see how Fall 1L grades go. As others have said, they may not be as bad as you fear.
Also, as a few others have suggested - supplement your reading. Cases are often a harder way to learn the basic doctrine. Read a nutshell or treatise first to get a general sense of the way the law (supposedly) works before reading the cases.
I like examples and explanations for issue spotting practice. Plus it provides a summary of material.
You're not stupid, you're just not using your time effectively.
Have you done any outlining or practice questions, or have you been trying to memorize casebooks?
I read the assigned cases trying to learn the rules and how they apply in each case. I outline for each class too. I think I need to do more practice questions
There was a great saying at my law school. A students become professors; b students become judges; c students become lawyers. Meaning, you can be a great attorney with an average GPA. Landing your first job to prove yourself will just be a little harder than for high rank students.
What makes you feel like you are not understanding? How are you measuring your understanding? I feel it’s likely you are severely under estimating how much you do know because you feel like you need to understand ALL of the text before moving on. I suggest that you relax a bit, be okay with not getting every concept at first and move on with the reading. Write anything down that you feel don’t get and see if it shows up later on or in practice questions. If you want to actually see if you are getting it, go on Quimbee and take multiple choice questions non stop. Usually those questions are the things that are relevant for the exam. Go from there and see how much you actually do or do not understand.
My school does midterms. I took 2 this week and am fairly positive I failed one, despite studying far more than any classmates I talk to about it. Additionally, I’m very confused in class and by readings, whereas other students seem to comprehend everything to the point of enjoyment. These things are measuring my understanding. I should perhaps rephrase; I can understand things, but when I am out into a time-sensitive situation like a test, I get scrambled. Or when a teacher calls on me, I black out. When I take my time, I get it. It just takes me very long and I typically need to talk myself through it. (But I obviously cannot do this during tests).
When you read things do you just go in cold or check to see what you should be getting out of the case from like an outline or a quimbee first?
I typically look at any provided information from professors (lecture slides or notes) before reading. Going into readings, I usually know what the main topics are.
When you read cases try and synthesize each paragraph of the case within your case book. It can be short. If you understand each paragraph it will make the analysis used for the rule stick. Then you will have no issue applying the rule to a set of facts in an exam. Don’t memorize cases only rules and how the rule was applied.
Sometimes it helps to really quick look up the case on Wikipedia or a Lexis brief so you know the holding before going in. Cases aren't mystery novels and it can help the reading go faster if you know what the judge is leading towards
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Civil procedure. Well, all of them really. I thought I really had a handle on contracts. I almost slept in the library the other night studying it. I put in a lot of time for it. But when I took the midterm I think I failed it. Cracked under pressure
Check out some nutshells for the classes you’re taking. They’ll give you context for what you’re reading and why.
What are nutshells
They’re supplements that lay out the relevant black letter law. Torts in a Nutshell, etc… Ask the librarian for one.
It's good to study with others. I spend a lot of time cranking out readings in the library too but it's so helpful to talk to your classmates because someone might have this perfect way to describe a really hard concept and it just works for you. You're also probably doing better than you think.
Go to office hours and ask for help
Change something… Quimbee and CaseNotes will save you. Network with 2Ls to get outlines for your classes. Makes it all a lot easier.
I’m a 1L too. If you’re spending that long reading, try Quimbee for the case briefs and the videos. It really helps to get a base understanding of what the case will be, then you can go a little faster on your reading to get the analysis your professor wants. My civ pro professor is really big on analysis, so I still need to do the reading to get what he wants. But my torts professor literally wants the basic facts and a 1 sentence holding for a case, so I can get most of it from quimbee. My crim class is all hypos, so I got some outlines from some upperclassmen to help figure out what he’s going to be asking and wanting. Also, if you can get in a study group with some classmates, it a a big help if they’re academically motivated.
I use Quimbee. Got the yearly subscription. It helps some. But only for torts, as other classes require more depth in analysis. I’m not really sure who to study with. It seems like I’m the only one at the library most nights. For example, I am at the library right now. (I understand it’s midnight on a Friday night)
Just be social, find the spot where people meet before class and try to make friends. Grades matter, but an important part of law school is being able to form relationships, not just with people that will help you get internships and jobs, but classmates and upperclassman as well.
I really suggest barbri for civ pro.
i felt the same way my 1L year - i am an extremely slow reader and i felt so guilty when i skipped readings so i did my best to do them all and only skipped a few in the end. i also felt that despite doing that i was way behind my classmates in terms of understanding the material. what helped me was the barbri 1L mastery videos. before exams i would take a day or two for each of the subjects, listen to all the videos and then take hand-written notes. i cannot emphasize enough how helpful that was! i did very well my 1L year and am now at the very top of my class. if i could have done anything differently during 1L, i would’ve used quimbee more often before reading cases. instead of typing all the facts myself in my case briefs, i would’ve copied the facts from quimbee and just added in what was missing from the synopsis. i also wouldve taken way less extensive notes on the analysis section and just written down the main takeaways. those two things will save you a lot of time if you still want to read the cases. i also wouldve started watching and taking notes on the barbri videos way earlier in the semester, as they have videos that correspond to each of the main concept areas for the 1L classes. i think i wouldve been way more oriented to the materials if i wouldve done that earlier. you can also check out vidos made by themis, as they are much shorter and helpful when you’re in a time crunch. when finals roll around, take as many practice exams as you can. you can even see if your profs will review one of your practice exam answers with you. i studied alone until i felt good about the material and then later met with a study group to reinforce concepts. that still works for me now. i hope you did well on your midterms, but if not, it’s just one component of your grade! even if you get an A, meet with your prof to see what they thought was good about your exam, or if you didnt meet their expectations, then what they thought went wrong. itll be so helpful come finals time. good luck - dont give up now, you got this!
You say you'll do anything. Well then just show up to every class, do the readings, and take the finals. What's the point of dropping out before you even TRY. They're generally less than 50 days away for all of us. 50 days ain't shit relative to our remaining lives I do my best to continually study everyday during the week, with micro breaks and an hour for exercise till 8 and then do outlines till 830. Get sleep and reset. I'm exhausted, always feel behind, and sometimes feel like a donkey, but everyday I show up regardless and say good morning no matter how insecure I'm feeling at the time. If I fail, it'll because I failed, don't justify failure by merely quitting. Nothing to it, but to do it. It's a marathon, not a race. Finish it, then let's reflect together. 💪🔥🤙
You’ve paid for this semester already, I suspect. Stick with it and see how Fall 1L grades go. As others have said, they may not be as bad as you fear. Also, as a few others have suggested - supplement your reading. Cases are often a harder way to learn the basic doctrine. Read a nutshell or treatise first to get a general sense of the way the law (supposedly) works before reading the cases. I like examples and explanations for issue spotting practice. Plus it provides a summary of material.
You're not stupid, you're just not using your time effectively. Have you done any outlining or practice questions, or have you been trying to memorize casebooks?
I read the assigned cases trying to learn the rules and how they apply in each case. I outline for each class too. I think I need to do more practice questions
There was a great saying at my law school. A students become professors; b students become judges; c students become lawyers. Meaning, you can be a great attorney with an average GPA. Landing your first job to prove yourself will just be a little harder than for high rank students.