<p>How is the work like in law school? Is it in any way similar to undergrad coursework? What kind of homework or readings do moderate law professors assign? I have always wondered.</p>
<p>In the vast majority of classes at the vast majority of schools:</p>
<ol>
<li>There's tons of reading and then</li>
<li>The whole grade is based on one huge exam, or occasionally</li>
<li>One big paper (especially in advanced courses).</li>
</ol>
<p>Other than clinical classes, the one big exception is that you will usually take a legal writing or "lawyering" class your first year. This is often graded based on numerous writing assignments, and possibly moot court performance as well. Some schools offer seminars, etc., that are set up differently, but all your core classes are likely to operate the same way.</p>
<p>So as a 1L student, I have the opportunity to balance my grade with multiple assignments? However, in the upper level courses, there is one huge exam that decides your final grade? So, for that huge exam, is there a ton of preparation for the exam a professor offers or does one have conduct significant self-study over the semester and hope that he or she has absorbed enough info to pass the exam? Also, please compare and contrast specifically law school to undergrad courses.</p>
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<p>So as a 1L student, I have the opportunity to balance my grade with multiple assignments?</p>
<br>
<p>No, except in the legal writing class. The other classes are almost certain to be one big exam. Upper-level courses sometimes substitute a paper for an exam, but the big classes are likely to be just like 1L classes. The entire semester is building up to the exam, so the idea is to study all semester and then review for the exam.</p>
<p>I thought it would be taken for granted that undergrad courses are usually not lecture all semester and then one giant exam that determines the whole grade. But that is definitely a contrast with law school courses. There are rarely quizzes, problem sets, midterms, response papers, or any of the hallmarks of undergrad classes.</p>
<p>So essentially, that whole semester is based on class discussions, readings, and moot court performances and the final exam covers those areas. So what tip do you advise beginning law students? Any particular strategies to induce a passing of an exam?</p>