1L Exams Have You Nervous? You Are Not Alone

When I was a 1L, the scariest thoughts involved the first set of exams. The unknown questions, the time crunch, especially imagining the wide range of essay questions your professors could ask you and how exactly to tackle them, is enough to give you nightmares.

If you’re having these thoughts, don’t worry, you are definitely not alone. I didn’t know where to begin or even when to begin studying for exams. It is hard not to get overwhelmed with schoolwork, along with studying for finals. While the best advice I received was to let your fear serve as a motivator for studying, I wish I had more guidance before taking my first final.

To help you get a better sense of 1L exams, I interviewed law students at various law schools to help you gain a deeper understanding of exactly how to tackle your 1L exams.

What Was Your Biggest Fear about Law School Exams, and How Did You Overcome It?

My biggest fear about law school exams was the timed aspect. When you think about it, in college, you had maybe 50 minutes or an hour to take an exam, which seemed like no time. My first exam was three hours, which scared the absolute mess out of me. I wondered how to sit in a room for three hours to take an exam. The only experience close to this was taking the LSAT, but we took a break even with that. As someone who struggled with time management in my first year, I struggled to take an exam in three hours effectively. Honestly, I don’t think I have overcome my time management issue. That issue stems from my anxiety, and the only thing I have found that helps is simply making sure I am confident that I know the substance for the exam. Studying and being confident that I know the material has helped me a lot.
—Bianca Bryant, 2L, Mississippi College School of Law

What Was the Worst You Had Heard about Law School Exams, and Was It True?

You won’t get every possible point, and you will run out of time. Both are very true. There is always more to say; the professors will know more about the material than you. You simply do not have time to get every possible point available, so you just have to get what you can and keep moving.
—Jacob Ray, 2L, William H. Bowen School of Law

What Helped You Stay Calm and Focused for the Exam?

I don’t think anything was keeping me calm. However, just knowing I was getting it over with was reassuring. I also listen to music to stay focused (usually the same thing I listened to while I studied) and continue running through the rules in my head.
—Jamia Love, 2L, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

How Were Your Study Habits Different for 1L Exams Compared with Undergrad?

Throughout undergrad, I would only study for a day or two before the final. I didn’t have to do much reading or studying throughout the semester. In law school, I schooled full-time. My typical nine-hour Monday through Friday consists of reading, studying, and attending class.
—Ryker Eley, 2L, University of Memphis-Cecil C. Humphrey’s School of Law

Do You Prefer Studying Alone or in a Group, and Why?

I prefer studying alone first and then studying with a group. It makes me feel like I have things to contribute, and once I have a handle on things, it helps me to understand and remember things better when I teach and discuss them.
—Jamia Love, 2L, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

If You Could Go Back to Your 1L Year, What Would You Tell Yourself?

Don’t listen to the others in your class or those before you. Every subject comes to each individual based on their own learning style. I had been warned about a certain professor and how it would be a miserable class. I was also told it was impossible to do well in their class. I loved that professor, and it was my best grade. Don’t listen to others and form your own opinions. The only advice I would take from older students is about a professor’s taste and study requirements.
—Jacob Ray, 2L, William H. Bowen School of Law

After Reading What Other Law Students Did to Overcome Their Fears, Remember Three Things

1. No matter how bad it may seem, you will get through it.
2. Stick to the best study schedule and habits that work for you.
3. Everyone is feeling nervous; you are not alone.