Reading period began on December 3, and I just had my first final, Criminal Law, last night. I studied my ass off the entire reading period, 8 to 10 hour days. I think my first law school final went well. (Technically there was the Legal Research final several weeks ago but these are the ones that really, really count.) It was a three hour exam in two parts: 40 multiple choice questions (1hr 20min) and one essay (1hr 40min). Multiple choice questions in law school can get gnarly; you're presented with a fact pattern and must apply the correct version of the correct rule to find the relevant facts which point to the right answer. My professors structure the MC sections to allow two minutes per question. The essay was a long hypothetical and we were asked to discuss the various crimes the actor may have committed, along with the relevant defenses he may raise. It seemed a little too straightforward. I think my analysis of the obvious issues was good, and I think I picked up on some of the facts that triggered the nuances in the law we covered. But I think toward the end of it, I started reaching a little too much, and included irrelevant analysis as a result. I felt compelled to write more in order to demonstrate a full knowledge of the material. I included caveats like "the prosecution must prove X in order for this to apply." Since "X" would have stretched the facts presented, I probably screwed up. Hopefully it won't affect my grade much.
I experienced the competitive tension at school for the first time today. I'm surprised I hadn't experienced it sooner, since I spent the majority of the reading period studying at school, mostly with a core group, but sometimes with other classmates we've seen around and welcomed in. There wasn't a major incident per se; just a strange moment during an impromptu study group session, and some conversation with others that clued me in on how some people in our class are coping with their anxiety. It's far from the horror stories I have heard about law school, but it's still kind of weird to hear that there are some who have no qualms about voicing their hopes that others will do poorly on the exams so that they'll have better chances with the curve. These are people who I don't really associate with, but had always thought they were fairly laid back. I hate that I've let this get to me. Guess I just need to grow up and get over it. The thing is, I'm the kind of person who has no problems bouncing ideas off classmates, and I try to be as helpful as I can. Nothing wrong with focusing on #1, but no need to be a dick either. Yes, this is sounding really naive so I'll stop.
Contracts is up next, and because it's an intimidating subject, I think everyone is feeling the heat. I feel like I know everything I need to know but I'm still nervous.
