Hey there 1Ls. The beginning of the spring semester is always crazy. You've finally got this "law school" thing down, just enjoyed what felt like your first moments of freedom in years, and - of course - your grades come back...
First - everyone says it, but its true - these don't define you. Yes, you may feel like they do and that they control your 1L OCI process this semester and this summer, but please know your career is not made or broken after this first semester.
With that out of the way...
Receiving grades is a wonderful opportunity, whether you're a 1L, 2L, or 3L. Not only do you (hopefully) get a chance to congratulate yourself, but you can learn so much from your exams. Your grades serve as a signal to you as to how your study methods worked, what professors you may look to for recommendations, and how you think you will perform in similar classes. Also, if your school lets you review your exams you should take advantage of that policy. Though you may feel like it no longer matters, seeing what you did wrong can help you understand how to better study in the future and possibly see what weak spots you may have in your study habits.
Take advantage of this time! Whether you are celebrating your wins or using your losses as fuel for this semester, don't let your hard work go to waste. And remember, this was just your first semester. So if you're pleased, great! But don't start slacking off. If you're not, you still have 5 more semesters, don't get worried.
Never stop grinding. Never give up on yourself.
Comments