This week brings the first round of spring exams at Hastings, and I think a lot of us are feeling the pressure to perform. Spring exams are a little different than fall exams because there is a sense of relief in the air — in two weeks we'll be finished as 1Ls, and can officially look down on next year's incoming 1L class. That's right, we're not at the bottom of the food chain for much longer. Still, we must actually take (and pass) the exams to get out 2L letterman jackets. This isn't exactly an enjoyable endeavor.
Rather than study on my own and prepare for exams, I took it upon myself to see how the rest of the student body is coping with finals.
I conducted an unscientific survey where I asked a smattering of students what the minimum grade is that they'd accept, in all of their classes, for the privilege of not having to take any finals.
It's a win-win situation, right? All of your stress goes away, and all you have to do is settle for a predetermined grade.
The results were interesting, and most people said they would gladly take grades just below the median rather than sit through two weeks of study overdrive. A few people said they would take anything that gave them a JD at the end of three years, while one of our section's better students said he'd settle for A minus. It was a pretty classic bell curve.
Then there were those that wouldn't take the bait. They said that it would be better to do the work and see what happens because it's only two more weeks of stress and you don't give up the chance at stellar grades. What go-getters.
Even if you were (not that you will be) presented with the opportunity to skip exams and settle for passing, remember: there are no shortcuts in law school. That is why your rolling backpack is so full.
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