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Second Semester Tips for 2L's

By AustinGroothuis

If you're a 1L you will soon, if you haven't already, get your first semester grades. As the blog Out of the Jungle points out...

[M]any got a shock. For the first time in your life, as a 1-L, you are running with a whole pack of the folks who were at the tops of their class. And, law school is different from any other school you may have had before. Even MDs, engineers and PhD holders can get a shock at their first law school exam and grades.

Yes, the first time with a strict grading curve which is derived from a single final exam, meaning no feedback throughout the semester, can result in a big disappointment for many first year law students.

See their list of tips for law students entering their second semester in this post.

I will add that you have to take first semester grades in context, as well. While your GPA may be lower first semester 1L than you had become accustomed to in undergrad, you still might have a great GPA for your law school class, depending on how your school curves.

This is especially true for all of you former straight A students in undergrad. All A's is nearly impossible in law school. It is your standing (class rank) amongst your peers in the class that is important. And without knowing that, your GPA is really meaningless.

Full post as published by CALI's Pre-Law Blog on January 11, 2008 (boomark / email).