Excel as a First Year Law Student

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Excel as a First Year Law Student

• Washington University School of Law
• Professor Mitch Crusto
• October 23, 2006

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VISION STATEMENT

• What Does Excel Mean in Law School?
• Meaningful Experience
• Finding Ones Voice on the Law
• Being Successful

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FOCUSED GOAL AND OBJECTIVE

• Goal Academic Success
• Objective A Grades in All Exams

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WHERE ARE YOU TODAY?

• CONGRATULATIONS
• You Got into Law School (Surprise?)
• You Have Survived Your First Eight Weeks!
• You Are Still Breathing (Or Not)?
• WHATS NEXT?

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HOW DO I GET As ON EXAMS?

• Dont Confuse Survival with Excellence
• Know Excellence Requires More Sacrifice
• No More Energy?
• Time to Take a Think Smart Energy Pill
• Get to Know the Game
• FINDING THE BALL!

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WHAT AND WHERE IS THE BALL?

• HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING EXAMS?
• Review Past Exams and Model Answers
• Outline Past Exams
• List the Topics?
• List the Issues from Past Exams
• List and Memorize the Rules
• Learn what it means to Apply Rules

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DEVELOP AN APPROACH OUTLINE

• List Topics
• List and Memorize Sources of Law
• List and Memorize Issues
• List and Memorize Rules and Authority, Case
  Names, Statutes, and Restatements
• List and Memorize Rationales
• Know How to Apply Rules
• Specifically Answer the Questions
• Add an Counterview Comment