Well, apparently grades have begun to trickle in, because I just got an IM from a classmate, “Did you see? Crim grades are posted!”
So I went up to check, and viola! Bitter disappointment! Hooray!!
I am so glad I skipped town right after finals and hadn’t thought about them until now. Otherwise, I’d be a basket case.
What sucks is that I really, truly felt that I was prepared for this round. I did the practice tests. I wrote my own outline. I was pretty confident I knew the material. And then bam! I am starring at one of the worst grades of my academic career.
I know, it has to happen at some point, but I was still not ready for the shock. Granted, it’s only in one class, and it’s not enough to put me on academic probation or anything, but it is enough to make the law school experience, shall we say, less pleasant?
I’ve decided I’m not playing any silly law school games. When people ask how I did, I am candid: “Not very well.” If they press, I’ll reveal the actual letter… I feel like it’s already branded on me like a scarlet “A”. Well, not an A, exactly…
What’s most upsetting is that I actually enjoyed the class. I kept up with the readings and I thought I had a good handle on the material. I studied. As one of those over-achieving assholes who always did well in school without really trying, I decided law school would be different. I applied myself. And the reward I got was a lousy grade!
So, should I go back to my slacker ways? I think I could do this well with a lot less work. Or should I chalk it up to experience and the fact that I’m still learning exactly what law professors are looking for in an exam? Or should I write it off as one bad test, hardly an estimation of my self-worth, or even my (potential) ability within the practice of law? I dunno. I suppose I should wait and see if this one grade was an anomaly, or an indication of a bad semester.
Sigh.
Okay, so I’m pressin’… reveal the letter. Come on, you can tell me. I won’t tell anybody. Promise.
I would chalk it up to a mix of two things:
1. They’re weeding. Beat the new kids and the weakest will drop out. You’ll be left with the dedicated and/or stupid.
2. Getting used to a new format of learning and evaluation.
I’d simply ask the giver of the bad grade where you went wrong. Ask for feedback so that you can adjust accordingly.
Dave,
Odds are pretty good that on your death bed you’ll not be so severely concerned about the grade you received on any of life’s little tests but rather how you did on the thing as a whole.
Not worth worrying about, besides, there isn’t anything you can do about the past anyway.
Just focus on what is in front of you and keep moving along.
Weekly Law School Roundup #44
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The whole forced curve thing is only good for one thing: making intelligent students feel indadequate and stupid. Some profs will say that it prevents you from being over-confident going into the bar exam. Do they really think that I will take the bar lightly if I have a little self-respect? Apparently I must feel incompetent before I will push myself to pass the bar. Personally, I think the schools that curve on the “B” have the right idea.
Sorry to hear about the grade….but hey, at least you *have* yours. I have to wait over a week still, most likely to get a similar result as you.
I mean, I guess I’m okay with a low grade (not really) but it’s having to wait….grr.