My son is a high school soccer player. During the fall season, his team meets weekly to watch video of their most recent game. The reason for the review is clear: they watch what they did in the game to make improvements for the next game. Why do this? After all, the players were there—they know what they did.  Wouldn’t the time be better spent training?

Coaches across the board say no. Rather, the universally accepted opinion is that video is essential for improved performance.  Psychologists explain that our emo­tions can col­or per­cep­tion of an event, causing faulty recall of what actually took place. Also at issue is attribution bias, which can lead a person to develop a hypothesis of what transpired and look only for information that supports that hypothesis.  Videos, therefore, become a critical tool for player development.

This week marks the beginning of spring semester for many students. Thus, it is an excellent time to engage in the law school equivalent of a video review. Without a video to learn from, however, most students just jump into the daily “training” tasks without a thorough review process. Many students simply view the spring as a clean slate and vow to avoid what they perceive as weaknesses from prior performance.  You can do better.

My goal as Professor and Director of Academic Success is to get you to engage in metacognition (“thinking about your thinking”) to become a self-regulated learner who actively evaluates your own knowledge, strengths, and weaknesses, and formulates and implements a plan to address any deficiencies.  One of the best ways to improve your academic performance or continue to do well is to do a careful self-evaluation. 

The following questions may assist you in that process:

Prior to exams

Prior to exams, did you have and stick to a study schedule?  Did you make deliberate adjustments to that schedule?  Explain.  For example, did you:

• Draft/revise/review your outline?

• Consistently use SRS cards?

• Complete practice questions?

• Complete practice questions under exam conditions?

How often were unprepared for class?  Explain.  For example, did you:

• Did you read and brief cases?

• Did you take notes before and after class?

• Did you adequately complete assignments?

During class were you able to follow the class discussion?  Did you take notes?  Explain.  If you did not understand a particular topic:

• Did you ask questions in class?

• Did you go back to the assigned material?

• Did you use a secondary resource?

• Did you seek guidance from your professor?

• After, did you test your understanding of it?

How many practice questions were you able to do? Did you seek feedback from the professor?  Explain.

Exam performance

Did you have difficulty issue spotting?  Do you understand why?  Explain.  For example, did you:

• Spot all of the issues?

• Spot all of the sub-issues?

Did you have difficulty with rule statements?  Do you understand why?  Explain.  For example, did you:

• Include only some of the rule statements?

• Have all of the factor statements or sub-rules?

• State the rule statement precisely?

• Include relevant terms?

Did you have difficulty with analysis?  Do you understand why?  Explain.  For example, did you:

• Misunderstand some of the relevant rules?

• Misunderstand all or some of the factors or sub-rules?

• Fail to use all of the relevant facts?

• Misapply the rules or sub-rules?

• Fail to explain or tie the facts into the law?

• Mostly summarize facts?

Exam growth

How did your performance compare to fall semester midterm(s)?

Did you study or prepare differently?  Why or why not?

It is helpful to meet with your doctrinal professors or your academic success professional to review your exam answers. Doing so will limit the impact of emotions or attribution bias on your perception.

Finally, you should develop a detailed plan of action.  For example, ask:

What can I do to improve my performance or to continue to do well?  In answering this question, you must use your exam performance to:

• Identify trends and

• Identify strengths and areas for improvement

Elite athletes like LeBron James love to review video. Endeavor to be the LeBron of your law school—don’t let this opportunity for review and improvement pass you by.  Wishing you all the best for a wonderful semester!