Becoming pale = BAD!

One of the worst things about starting law school, for me, is leaving my LSAT students behind. Getting a good LSAT instructor can be such a coin toss; on the other hand, getting a good bunch of students can be a coin toss also. I've always been blessed with good groups of students. I'm definitely going to miss teaching - I don't intend on teaching during my 1L year (Paragon to Pieces, I give you mad props for being able to teach while studying).

Though summer is winding down (in L.A. it seems to be winding up), I get a bit worried when my students become more pale while I get more tanned. This summer, for the sake of getting in shape before law school, I spent a significant amount of time swimming (both at the pool and at the beach). However, this doesn't quite explain why my students are SOOOO much more pale than I am.

I learned that most of my students were studying 6+ hours everyday for the LSAT (for the past 2 months). My goodness. I wouldn't be surprised if some admitted to NEVER seeing the sun in the last two months.

I'm a strong advocate of balance. Studying and doing well on the LSAT is important. And while people may be able to pull off several weeks (maybe even months or years) of crazy study hours, their body will eventually have to pay the cost.

I have to constantly remind my students that the LSAT, though important, is merely a small detail in the long scheme. If they can't learn to manage the LSAT in a more balanced fashion, what makes them think they'll be able to do it once at law school OR as a lawyer?

Go see the sun...it's pretty. It'll probably help you do better on the LSAT anyways. Plants aren't the only things that need the sun.

Calm before the Storm

It really feels that way. As my summer approaches an end and as I twiddle my thumbs waiting for law school to begin, I'm thinking, "It's quiet...a little too quiet." My friends that are starting law school this year have already started their orientation.

Thanks to UChicago's quarter system, for me, law school doesn't start for another month.

Sitting here thinking about how I can use my time more productively, I began flirting with the idea of taking the GMAT. Actually, on-and-off, I have thought about getting an MBA in the past. But only today was I serious enough to get onto MBA.com and find out more about the test.

I'm tempted to jump on board the JD/MBA boat. Any thoughts or recommendations on how to go about studying for this while a 1L?

I move to Chicago in about two weeks. I'll be blogging more consistently (I know I will), once I arrive at law school.

Meanwhile, my apologies for the long hiatus. It was summer. I was busy at the beach. =)

LSAT: Doing what is right

Today I overheard two students in my class chatting over how people have attempted to cheat on the LSAT.

It's amazing the measures some people will take to gain a little "edge" on the test. As I stood there listening to my students, I began to think: isn't it better to spend the time wasted devising a "cheating" method on studying more practice questions? Not to mention the great risk of getting caught.

I keep telling my students that the LSAT is as cheat proof as any test will get. To try and undermine it will require nothing short of Ocean's 11 style planning and execution. And in the end, I just don't think the risk + reward is worth all that effort. If you get caught cheating, you'll NEVER be a lawyer.

Besides, even if you successfully cheat, what kind of lawyer would a cheater make? Definitely not the kind we want in our profession. =)

Anyhow. For anyone out there thinking about cheating for the LSAT, please remember nothing is worth your dignity.