7 Days Later
For the 1Ls, it is now 1 week down and about 89 to go...how does it feel? Questions? Expectations met? Still can't figure out how Zeb makes any money with its rock bottom prices?
2Ls, when do you want me to move the OCIP posts to the forefront? Please let me know.
3Ls, clerkship, offer acceptance, trip to Bermuda...what's up?
Emmy predictions?
2Ls, when do you want me to move the OCIP posts to the forefront? Please let me know.
3Ls, clerkship, offer acceptance, trip to Bermuda...what's up?
Emmy predictions?
Labels: 0L/1L Advice, Classes/Professors
posted by Armen Adzhemyan at 4:07 PM
22 Comments:
I think it is safe to say that almost all the 1Ls feel like alot longer than a week has passed by.
And as far as expectations, people are alot less competitive than I expected...although if this blog is any indicator we are just good at hiding our true feelings.
The blog is definitely the exception. You probably know how I feel about anonymous grade discussions, so I won't add anything. But realize that the vast majority of Boalties don't care to outdo everyone else. You all will work hard, but only a very, very select few will turn into competitive jerks.
So far, so good. Profs are good. Modmates are cool. People are clearly trying to keep up with the reading (trying), but not going overboard (being jerks).
Kind of hoping for more swag. So far just a library mug. Hopefully, some firms will come in and fill that gap.
2L - I could go for that OCIP info getting moved up....thanks....
I heard there was almost a fight at bar review. Anyone got the scoop?
the first rule of bar review is you don't talk about bar review...
one not-so-good thing is that i've definitely noticed the gap between going to a private school and boalt - they alotted 15 hours during orientation for administrative tasks! that didnt seem to be the norm at my undergrad.
good things are that it seems like everyone has the attitude of "hey, sure, i'll attend [bar/movie/house party] because it sounds like fun." i like that. other good thing is cafe zeb - you're right; i totally questioned the prices.
The First Rule of Bar Review is a direct ripoff of the First Rule of Fight Clubrary.
For the 1 and 2Ls interested in Fight Clubrary, here are the underlying facts.
it would be great if you could move clerkship stuff up too....
speaking of clerkship stuff.... any willingness on your part to keep a running list for calling going out on the 14th/15th like you did for callbacks/rejections last year during OCIP? your fans would worship you all the more, armen.
that's some liberal use of the words "fans" and "worship"
1L here...I agree with the first comment that it feels like we've been here for a lot longer than a week. Other than that, I feel like everyone is nice and laid-back, which I really appreciate.
But on to something that is starting to drive me a little crazy...just what are we supposed to focus on for Westen's criminal law class?? ANY advice is welcome, because I know that a ton of people have this question. Thanks in advance to any 2Ls or 3Ls with knowledge!
Short answer: The last 2 minutes of any class.
Allow me to expand. I like P-Dub. I really do. Some of my classmates did not like him as much or his teaching methods. Some think he's a pedophile. I'll reserve judgment, but some of those hypos get pretty weird. But again, as a crim professor, he's excellent. See, Heidi, from UMich (arguing that despite the creepiness, he's a great prof).
Also, save all those lengthy e-mails he sends. Think of those as your own custom commercial outline. They will have all the essentials when it comes time for studying. Bear in mind that his final is a take-home and you will have the MPC right in front of you. Don't stress too much about it. Just sit back and try to learn his method of analysis. What's really important in distinguishing one set of facts that is a crime from another that is not? If you raise your hand to answer one of his questions, you have a 90% chance of being wrong. (Token responses include, "Nooooooo that's not it." "Umm nooooooo not that either." "Almost....")
That's it for now, any other advice would cut to exam taking strategy rather than course specific tips.
After 1.5 weeks, I have a burning question: why don't people flush the urinals? It seems that we would all feel a lot more prestigious if everyone flushed every time. Maybe then we'd overtake Stanford in the rankings.
Blame the urinals. You think you flush...but you really don't. Have you ever stuck around to see what happens after you flush?
Another burning question, maybe worthy of its own post: how can I accumulate enough Westlaw or Lexis points to get something worthwhile? Tips? Inquiring 1L minds want to know.
re: Westen's crim class. My advice: Beyond going to class and keeping up with the readings (especially his memos), try to understand criminal law through his lens. He has a very interesting way of thinking about criminal law, and rather than trying to fight it and teach yourself doctrine, really try to understand what he's getting at. This is especially important for learning the whole notion beind mens rea, which is going to be a component of nearly every other topic you cover in that class. Rather than trying to record every single word he says, sit back and play along with his exercises. Go to his office hours. Take him up on his offer to go to lunch. (Well okay, that won't really help you with crim law but it's a free lunch!)
Second, (and this is what you really wanted to know) a good supplement is Dressler's "Understanding Criminal Law." Don't use it until you get closer to finals; it won't be any use.
Same 1L here who asked about Westen for crim...
First, I really appreciate the advice from both Armen and the other poster (and any future poster).
I guess my follow-up question sort of relates to exams, then....basically, it seems like he doesn't really care about the rules the cases are establishing so much as the justifications behind everything. Is that how his exams are, too? Or does he completely blindside us and expect us to apply the rules of law really well? You don't, of course, have to give me a lengthy tell-all on his exams, but any other tidbits are appreciated because we 1Ls still don't know what he wants from us!
sweaty professor sighting. Be glad you're not me and didn't see Profs. Shelanski and Yoo wearing running shorts and tank tops, soaked in sweat, at the bottom of the Simon Hall elevator this afternoon. A situation in which one does not make eye contact . . .
EW.
That would explain the continuing funk in the Simon Hall elevator.
Re: Westen
My experience was that all of the rules he wants you to know for the exam are explained (very well) in his memos and e-mails. These were my crim law bible and about 95% of what I used during the final.
I agree with previous posters insofar as the way to get the most out of lectures is not so much to learn any rules (except for whatever he says in the last 2 minutes of class, which is typically covered in the memos that I mentioned above), but to learn how he thinks. And if you can't figure out his thought process (and what he wants your thought process to be) right away, don't worry...for me, a lightbulb sort of came on at the tail-end of the semester. That lightbulb isn't really anything that can be explained--it's basically just picking up on his argument/idea process. It just takes a while to pick up.
So, in short, just absorb the lectures as well as you can, and make sure you pay attention to all the e-mails and memos.
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