1L TIP TODAY – Finals

Just the thought of finals so soon sparks panic. How can this be? 1L -literally- just started. And what is this “IRAC” thing we’re supposed to do? I mean, I know (now) what it stands for, but how do I do it?

*Maybe this story will help. (Title is, ‘I will never tell.’)

Dear 1L,

I wanted to share a short-cut that helped me learn, memorize, and save time during final days/hours of exam prep. I hope it can help you.

Sometimes, when a final (or bar) exam was just days away, I was still trying to (re-)master a lot of concepts and then memorize rules. I just didn’t have it in me to take practice tests. So I didn’t try.

Thank you so much, Jolene Blackbourn, Esq., for having me as a guest on your podcast!

For anyone curious about what I do / what it means to be a “law school coach,” I will post a link to the recording in the comments.

Jolene Blackbourn, Esq.

⭐How do you learn how to write like a lawyer?

Dear 1L:

You have asked for the IRAC Essay method I used for writing answers on law school/bar exams. There are many ways to write an IRAC essay to earn an A, and you may find others that suit you better. But here is how I approached exams. I hope it will be helpful.

1. I got an overview of the exam as a whole.

1L TIP TODAY – Finals

Just the thought of finals so soon sparks panic. How can this be? 1L -literally- just started. And what is this “IRAC” thing we’re supposed to do? I mean, I know (now) what it stands for, but how do I do it?

*Maybe this story will help. (Title is, ‘I will never tell.’)

1L TIP TODAY

Three Tips for Objective Memos

It was November 1993. I learned that a doctor had autopsied the wrong body. It was a nine year-old girl. The parents had given no consent. The mother was devastated.

Was there a viable claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress?

1L Tip Today

Do you ever feel like you understand an analysis in your head, but you can’t get it down in writing?

Try this:

🔹Speak the explanation aloud. Record yourself. Then transcribe it—verbatim—not making any edits. Don’t let yourself think, just transcribe.

I was cooped up all day in a studio apartment, studying.

Many of us on here remember our 1L falls well. Even though it was a long time ago, it was such an intense time of life. There are days from 1L fall seared into memory.

1L TIP TODAY

I was so worried that I had missed an important case in my research. How does anyone ever even “know” when they have done “exhaustive” research on a topic?

It will take time for you to feel confident that you “know,” but if you do all of the below (warning: it takes a minute), you should feel as confident as one can be.

1L TIP TODAY

What do you do when hard work isn’t working?
When I was a 1L this time in October, I felt frustrated. A bit angry, even.
I had done all the readings and attended every lecture. I diligently took notes and outlined each week. I felt sure I understood everything from class.
But then there were midterms. 📌 A shock to the system.

I got my Contracts midterm back. I scored a 35/100.

I was devastated. Yes, it was only a “practice” exam, but I freaked out. I think I cried.

I felt lost—even angry. I had done all the reading; I had attended every class. And I had studied SO much.

I knew the material by heart.

1L TIP TODAY: Outlining

“Outlining” just means:
(A) rewriting (or retyping) your daily class notes so you can read and understand them;
(B) writing down all your reading notes and highlights (that you took before class); and
(C) “marrying” your class and reading notes.

No answer is “right” when you write during this semester— objective memos and essay exams.

🔹Don’t try to get the “right” answer. Try to be thorough.

🔹Write down every single fact and argument that EACH side could make.

— Do this for every sub-issue.
— Be an equally zealous advocate for each side.