Learning to let go

Posted by K at 5:30 PM

I'll admit that this semester I'm trying new studying techniques however I'm amazed by the lack of course reading my fellow classmates have been doing. I bet a third of the class (60) doesn't read anymore. Nothing, nada, zip. We've all been working on our briefs lately which also means they are skipping classes. I find it bothersome that my classmates are consciously preparing to skip class to work on their briefs. Generally, if you skip class it usually means you don't read for that class either.

Additionally, we've had several people just "pass" on a case in class in the rudest of fashions: one woman, right before being called on--knowing she was going to be called on, just got up and left the room; others just pronounce they didn't read the material; some just skip the days when they're "on call" to brief cases; in one class they convinced the prof she was going another direction (she asks her questions down the row) so that they wouldn't be called on. It is ridiculous and disappointing.

If you can't handle the responsibilities of class how are you supposed to handle the responsibilities of being a lawyer? Furthermore, when you behave in the manner above you send messages to your fellow classmates that you're really not reliable or serious about analyzing the law.

I'm learning to let it all go as their grades aren't mine, however I'm still a bit pissed that we're half way through the semester and people have already just given up.

Whatever.

 

7 Comments:

  1. Anonymous said...
    March 5, 2009 at 6:14 PM  
    I've noticed the same phenomenon here. You really can't get by in any of my classes if you haven't done the reading...and we don't have designated "on call" days - you are ALWAYS "up".
    I just figure the less work they do, the more work I do, maybe I can catch a few spots on the curve come May (is that horrible of me?!).
    gudnuff said...
    March 5, 2009 at 9:05 PM  
    So how does skipping class ultimately affect their fate? I mean, if they feel they have to choose between prepping for class or writing the brief, which one would the not-doing-of hurt the most?
    Paragon2Pieces said...
    March 5, 2009 at 11:59 PM  
    I'm sure a lot of the ppl you're thinking of are flaking on their coursework, but there might be a number of them who prefer to do their work behind the scenes.

    Just because someone isn't in class doesn't mean they aren't reading and learning the material. I attended my 1L torts class twice. Yes, that's right, two times. I had a low opinion of the professor, so I spent what would have been class time reading every page of the assigned reading and going through a study guide. When grades came out, I did better than most of my classmates. Does the fact that I wasn't in class mean I'm not reliable or serious about analyzing the law? To the contrary!
    Anonymous said...
    March 8, 2009 at 12:33 PM  
    I noticed this phenomena as well, but I'm surprised it is happening so early. I did not see this until the end of the second and the entire third year. My opinion of law school is an opportunity to build skills for a future legal career.

    Reading a case is essential to life as an attorney. In reality, there are no outlines from senior attorneys and Westlaw headnotes are occasionally incorrect. Failure to acknowledge this can potentially lead to a nice malpractice suit and an uncomfortable conversation with the state bar counsel.

    Another skill is discipline. I looked at my coursemates and asked who would I want as my attorney. I would not want someone representing me who would half-ass their work. At the end of the day, there were only about a dozen people from my class I would be willing to hire or refer clients to.

    I would like to add that grades were not the primary indicator. Granted, the top students in my class were not only intelligent, but also very disciplined in completing their work. However, there were students without top grades who were nonetheless impressive in their preparation and presentation of material in class.

    J
    K said...
    March 8, 2009 at 10:21 PM  
    Paragon:

    At my school you can't skip classes because after a certain number of absences the professor reserves the right to not allow you to take the final. So while some may be doing work behind the scenes they still have to go to class.
    Anonymous said...
    March 9, 2009 at 9:52 AM  
    I think the "behind the scenes" argument is pretty strong, but I hate skipping class. Sometimes a professor has that nugget of information that clarifies a section... or other times they tell you not to worry about something because it won't be on the final. The people who skip miss out on that.

    Also, there's a big respect-of-peers issue. The kids who skip class are not going to get high recommendations from their peers or profs.
    Dagny said...
    March 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM  
    Unfortunately there is not a direct correlation between class attendance and final grades. In my experience, figuring how to take a specific professor's exam was more important
    Anyway, it is definitely disrespectful and rude when the entire class has not done the required reading assignment.

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