The majority of first-year law school classes are graded on a strict curve, which means that 90% of students won’t find themselves in the top 10% of their class. For many law students, especially those accustomed to earning straight As or Bs, receiving disappointing grades during 1L can be a tough pill to swallow.
If your grades don’t reflect the effort you put in, don’t lose hope. Here are three actionable strategies to help you bounce back and succeed in your second semester of law school.
Reflect on your 1L strategy.
Think about how you felt after each exam — this can provide valuable insights into what went wrong. Here are some common scenarios and ways to address them:
If you struggled to recall the law: You might need to rework your outlining process to emphasize black-letter law and break rules into manageable elements. Additionally, focus on memorization techniques to ensure the material sticks.
If you were unsure how to approach exam questions: Consider reviewing past exams from your professor and practicing those under timed conditions to familiarize yourself with their testing style. This will help you improve your exam-taking strategies and build confidence.
If you ran out of time: Practice timed exams leading up to finals. Running out of time may also indicate a need for better mastery of the law, so devote extra attention to your understanding of key concepts.
If you felt excessively anxious: Work on strategies to manage exam-day nerves, such as mindfulness exercises. Additionally, practice exams under timed conditions ahead of exam day. Lastly, consider seeking support from an experienced counselor. Your law school may have resources for you to consult if you are not sure where to begin.
Identify patterns in how you felt and performed during exams — they’re often key to unlocking improvements.
Meet with your professors.
Your professors are experts at grading law school exams, and they’re one of your best resources for understanding where you went wrong. Schedule a meeting to review your exams in detail. If you’re able to access your exams beforehand, bring specific questions to your meeting to make the most of your time.
It’s normal to feel intimidated about reaching out, but taking this step can be transformative. Not only can you gain valuable feedback on your performance, but you’ll also have the chance to build a professional connection that could benefit you long term. Professors often appreciate students who take initiative, so don’t hesitate to use this resource.
Keep this semester in perspective.
One rough semester doesn’t define your law school career — or your future as an attorney. You still have plenty of time to improve your GPA and demonstrate your abilities.
Oftentimes, setbacks are setups for growth. The lessons you learn from navigating challenges and falling short of your expectations will often prove more valuable than an unblemished academic record. Use this moment to develop resilience, refine your strategies and keep moving forward.
