Simple Steps to Improve Law School Academic Performance

Sandra J. Ware, Esq. is the author of Guerrilla Tactics for Law School Academic Success. She served on the law journal and was appointed as an Academic Success Tutor during law school. Ms. Ware currently practices law for an insurance defense firm in New Jersey.

For most first-year law students, the reality of the spring semester has just set in. The professors drone endlessly about arcane legal theories, the reading assignments seem to stretch endlessly into the future, and the prospect of exams is only a mere speck on the horizon. In reality, final exams are a little more three months away, with midterms, papers and the search for summer employment in the immediate future. When put into that context, there is precious little time to effectively prepare for exams. Effective time management is essential if you want to get the edge in and out of the classroom and during exams.

Although preparing and following a personalized time management plan is too stifling for some people, it is crucial for academic success. The first step is to look at each class syllabus. Either type or print important academic dates in your computer, PDA or calendar. Include all major assignments and projects. Don't forget to include major personal events such as birthdays and weddings, as these events will also affect your study time. Also note the last day of classes and fill in when your finals will take place as soon as you know the dates. Mapping out the semester and getting a bird's eye view of the months to come will help you properly plan your time for each subject so that you can read and study one course without worrying that you are neglecting another.

The next step is to create a month-by-month study plan with your long-term plan in mind. This is where you will block out your time. Chart on a monthly calendar the days and times of your classes. Then mark off reading time for all assigned reading. Next, mark off the days that you will spend outlining course materials. Be sure to include time slots for any anticipated legal research projects or papers. Reevaluate your plan at the end of each week. If you find that you need less time in one course than you thought and are keeping up with the course with time to spare, move some of that time to a course you are having more difficulty in. Of course, you can break the schedule down even further by each day. It is a matter of personal preference.

Next, block out a bi-weekly schedule for outlining each course. You'll probably need at least three to four hours at a time to do this for each course. I suggest marking off Saturday for outlining. Make sure to leave some time for mental health breaks, errands and spending time with the family. Your brain needs time away from the books to recharge. Again, evaluate your weekly schedule frequently to make sure it is working for you.

While planning your time in law school may feel uncomfortable and constricting, it is one of the best tools in your arsenal to dramatically improve academic performance. It will minimize anxiety and improve your confidence. The rewards you will reap from proper time management will not only be evident at exam time, but in the not too distant future as you embark on your legal career.