How to Ace Law School Finals

1. Get a game plan and stick to it.
   If you haven't already, set up a day-by- day schedule for studying for each class starting now. Allot more study time for your more challenging courses. Budget this time around the hours you need to spend in class and keeping up with the assigned reading, because you will be tested on everything that's been covered.
2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
   Review your syllabus, class notes, and highlighted casebook to create a “hit list” of topics for study. Pay particular attention to any material or key points your professor repeatedly covered in class, as this is likely to be on the test. You should also revisit your midterm exam performance. Flag the material that you find most difficult so you can focus on learning what you need to know. After all, you don't want to waste precious study time reviewing content you've already mastered.
3. Find out about the test format.
   What will it be: multiple-choice, short-answer, essay, or a combination of question formats? Practice answering the type of questions you'll be asked for greater efficiency when studying. For example, if your midterm will feature a multiple-choice format, consider prepping with the popular Glannon Guides series. Glannon Guides offer multiple choice questions and analysis of both correct and incorrect answers so you can identify the important elements within the questions and learn to answer them correctly.
   Tip: Glannon Guides are now available in a digital format, offering you an interactive experience with meaningful feedback. This digital study aid series features an online e-book with search, highlighting, and notetaking capabilities; access to an Interactive Study Center filled with practice questions that allows students to track their progress; and an Outline Tool that compiles notes and highlights to help jump start a course outline.
4. Team up with a great study partner, Steve Emanuel.
   Chances are your classmates are using study guides to prepare and you should, too. In addition to Glannon Guides, the Emanuel series of study guides is among the most trusted when it comes to law school prep. The Emanuel CrunchTime series helps you review material through flow charts and capsule summaries, plus provides short-answer, multiple- choice and essay Q&As so you can test your knowledge. Also popular is the Emanuel Law in a Flash series. Great for studying on-the- go, this comprehensive flashcard set is coded by topic and poses a hypothetical question on one side of the card, with the answer provided on the other. Students can review the whole deck, break out specific topics to focus on, or do last minute brush up on black letter law by studying the cards designated for quick review.
5. Don't forget to give your brain a break.
   Research shows that your brain assimilates information better under certain conditions, so put science to work for you. Chunk your study sessions into 45-60 minute segments and give yourself at least a 15-minute break before cracking the books again. Forget the all-nighters, too, which are linked to impaired cognitive function the next day. Instead, plan to get a good night's sleep while your subconscious does its job of storing information so you can retrieve it when needed (like during your midterm).
6. Curb your Internet enthusiasm.
   Surfing the web, keeping up with social media and checking on emails can be distracting. To avoid wasting time, confine these activities to your scheduled breaks. However, you may find this easier said than done. If you need more will power, consider one of the many apps available to block your access for a pre- set amount of time like Self Control or Freedom.

Write your name on all blue books and number them (for example, 2 of 3). This will ensure none of your work gets lost and that your answers are easy to follow.

Leave space throughout your answers. When you review your work you may want to expand on a thought or insert a new citation. This extra space will allow you to easily (and neatly) add to your work.