Law School help, please! Finals soon! Any DU attys?

[UCLA02]

Anybody got a down and dirty way to distinguish choice-of-law SCOTUS cases like Ragan, Erie, York, Hanna, Byrd? I know the individual issues in each, but how do the respective doctrines fit in the big picture?

Thanks for any help. (Yes, shamelessly playing to anybody's sympathies for an overwhelmed 1L going thru the first round of finals) ;-)

[Faygo Kid]

1. Finals in what? Yes, I am an attorney

Don't get overwhelmed. The people who wrote the SCOTUS opinions are just that; people. And, you must interpret them, not parrot them. You are getting caught up in the "issues." Save that for the bar exam. That's all that is; memorization. For now, INTERPRET. Use your little gray cells, my friend. How does this tie together? Is this an essay exam (as all law school tests should be). And, relax. Think Critically! Be yourself, and go with your best instincts, incisiveness and analysis. And best wishes. You'll be fine. Don't panic. You have gotten here so far!

[UCLA02]

2. This question is specifically for Civil Procedure

They are all 3 hr essay/multiple choice exams. I have all of the basic 1L stuff: Torts, Contracts, Civ Pro, Criminal Law, Property.

I'm sure it will be easier next semester (read less-stressful) as it will no longer be the unknown. I know the pace will not slow down, but at least by this time next month I will have already been thru the process once.

Thanks for the post.

[Faygo Kid]

3. You will be fine. Remember, everyone wishes you well.

Maybe next semester will be tougher, no easier. So what? To thine ownself be true. You want to do this, or what? If so, do it. I sense that you can, and you will. But, you must quit being overwhelmed by it. You are a good person, and highly intelligent. Take it as it comes, and just get it. You think your professors are some kind of Gods? Bah. Trust yourself.

[UCLA02]

4. Much thanks...

I'm sure it will go well. I actually handle stress well (in a former life I was a team leader loading bombs all night onto F/A-18s on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. This should be a cakewalk, and I'm constantly telling myself that...and I'm starting to believe it!)

Thanks again!

[LawDem]

5. For whatever it's worth

I'm 25 years out from law school (God how depressing), so almost anything I once knew that could have been helpful to you is either out of date or I've forgotten it. But a couple of points for whatever they're worth. First, make sure you know what criteria your professors are using in grading the exams. Back where and when I went to law school, the ONLY THING the professors cared about was issue identification. In other words, your score depended entirely on whether or not you identified all of the issues raised by the faculty scenario and not on how well you wrote. I didn't know that going into first semester exams and, as a result,wrote political science type test responses (leading to the worst grades I received during the whole three years). They may well have changed how they grade since then, but the point is be sure you know. Ask the professors and if they're not clear talk to some second or third year students about it.

Second, something that worked well for me the rest of the way through, involved one basic truth: Professors tend to talk about what interests them and they tend to test over what interests them. So assuming you have the type of faculty who actually teach the subject (as opposed to giving political speeches during class), then pay close attention to your class notes. Try to guess, based upon what they said in class, what they may ask in the test and think about how you would answer. Don't give general study short shift for this, but if you spend a little time doing the above, my guess is you will find it quite helpful.

On the other hand, everyone is different. So use the approach that works for you. Try to get some sleep, but don't sweat it if you don't. You'll be amazed by what you're capable of. You'll do fine.

[pasadenaboy]

6. Good luck

fellow bruin!

Sorry, I'm not a legal person. Well, I am legally a person, but you know what I mean.

[Lady President]

7. Horrible flashback

You just gave me a horrible Civ. Pro. flashback.... It was my first law school final and it was given on a Sat. afternoon. My best friend was having her bridal shower at the exact same time. A few weeks after her wedding she dumped me as a friend because she didn't believe that finals were held on weekends. Or, if it really was on a weekend, surely I could have rescheduled it. Fortunately, the rest of friends and family were more supportive.

You don't want my help in Civ. Pro. I received a "C". It was a real "C", not even a pity "C+". I applied the Erie Doctrine wrong. We had several essays and there were two possible scenarios to apply Erie and I picked the wrong one. Civ. Pro was my worst grade in law school.

I do have advice. RELAX. I completely panicked and couldn't think straight. Also, don't arrive too early because everyone will be tossing around ideas and it will fuel your nerves. Whatever test you have first will be the worst and the rest of law school will be downhill~ promise! Good luck! :)