Welcome to law school! This is a biweekly series with tips and tricks for success in law school. Although it’s billed toward new law students, I hope that every member of the law school community can find something helpful here.
As we approach the end of the semester, you’re probably juggling outlines, practice questions, and possibly some panic. Likely a familiar feeling after last final exam period. But while everyone else is obsessing over case summaries and flashcards, there’s something powerful you can do to stay ahead: self-evaluation.
Self-evaluation isn’t just another thing to add to your (seemingly endless) to do list. It’s the tool that helps you study smarter. As you know, law school exams aren’t just about reciting rules – they’re about applying them, often under pressure and time constraints. That’s why cramming doesn’t work. You have to know what you know and what you don’t.
Self-evaluation helps you identify weak spots early (so you don’t spend 5 hours on Property and ignore Criminal Law); track what study strategies are actually working; and manage burnout by giving yourself structure and direction.
Quick Self-Evaluation Questions Every 1L Should be Asking
Before finals hit, take 15-20 minutes and ask yourself:
- What subjects do I feel most and least confident in?
This can give you a clearer picture of how to prioritize your time.
- Can I issue spot under time pressure?
You may know the law, but can you spot the issues and write an analysis in the appropriate timeframe? If not, it’s time for some more timed practice exams.
- Do I know the black-letter law – or just recognize it?
Recognition isn’t enough. If you can’t write out key rules clearly from memory, keep drilling them until you can.
- Am I reviewing feedback?
If you’re receiving feedback in doctrinal classes and legal writing, make sure to thoroughly review it. Legal writing often feels separate, but the analytical skills overlap heavily with doctrinal exams. Look at past feedback to understand where you tend to go off track.
- How am I managing stress and energy?
Be honest with yourself. Are you sleeping, eating, and taking breaks? Finals are a marathon, not a sprint. Self-care is a study strategy.
How to Build Self-Evaluation into Finals Prep
Self-reflection doesn’t have to be overly deep. It just means that you’re being intentional about your studying and learning. It’s about evaluating your own progress, rather than comparing yourself to someone else. Here are some ideas for building self-evaluation into your studying:
- Weekly Check-Ins (30 minutes max):
- What went well this week?
- What didn’t click?
- What adjustments will I make for next week?
- After Each Practice Exam
- What issues did I miss?
- Did I allocate time properly?
- How was my rule articulation compared to the sample answer?
- How was my analysis compared to the sample answer?
- Before Each Study Session
- What’s my goal for this session?
- How will I know if the session was effective?
You’re Building More than an Outline
At the end of the day, self-evaluation isn’t only about finals. It’s about becoming a better thinker, problem-solver, and future lawyer. The students who grow the most during 1L year aren’t always the ones with the highest GPAs – they’re the ones who are able to self-evaluate and adapt as needed.
So, as you prep for finals, don’t just focus on what’s in your (or your friend’s!) notes. Focus on what’s going on in your head. Evaluate. Adjust. Repeat.
You’ve got this!
(Dayna Smith)
