Skip to main content

Gearing Up For Finals? Here Are Some Tips

By Betty Wang, JD on December 05, 2013 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Ah, law school finals. There are few people who dread the month of December more than law students -- for most of us, it means the holiday season, a time for food, family, and festivities. For law students, it means a grueling month of exam period that may or may not dictate how the rest of their career will pan out (not to be dramatic or anything, but those of you aspiring to go into BigLaw know what we're referring to).

So, with that said, it's crucial that you are properly geared up to handle finals. Here are some tips:

  • Make (a little) time to exercise. Physical movement, even if it's just a brisk walk or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, is that miracle formula that helps with so much. It can make you happier with that quick burst of endorphins it releases, help temporarily alleviate the stress, make you feel physically better, and induce productivity. While you may not have time for a full-on sweat-it-out workout, make time for a brisk walk or some kind of physical activity, at least. You'll be glad you did.
  • Don't schedule any interviews. While you may be stressing about the job hunt, it's best to focus on one thing. Law school finals are no joke, and to fill up that necessary time (which is already at a premium) with another stressful process such as a job interview may be a bit too much. If you have to, though, maybe try opting for a Skype interview -- the interviewer, if he or she has been through law school, will surely understand.
  • Outline, outline, outline. The crux of every law student's study routine will consist of piles and piles of outline. It's likely that you'll have one for every class you ever take in law school. So, make sure that you have a set process down (hopefully you've started, already), whether you've crafted your own, or are borrowing the skeleton from someone who's taken the class before, your outline is essentially a summary of every crucial thing you've learned in the class all semester. The more organized you are with it, the more you'll thank yourself during the final.
  • Don't count on seeing many friends. We've said it before and we'll say it again -- your social life will likely take a hit during law school. While this may be from law school in general, it's really finals period (and, well, the bar later on) that will be the temporary nail in your social life's coffin. This is not to say that you'll be a friend-less loser, this is just saying that during this time, shutting them out may be necessary in order for you to focus.

Lastly, of course -- good luck!

Related Resources:

Copied to clipboard