Today I am going to explain why earning high grades in your first semester of law school
might be dangerous.
And ultimately, lead to you ending up in the middle of your class
at the end of the first year.
By the way, this video is for anyone looking to improve,
not just those at the top of their class.
So let’s look at six ways to avoid complacency.
Hi, this is Professor Beau Baez.
First, let me explain why good grades can be a trap leading to complacency, and then
I’ll provide you with some concrete steps you can take to avoid falling into the trap.
When you get your first semester grades, for some that is a moment of relief.
You made it.
Maybe that means you ended up at the top of the class and for some it might mean you didn’t fail.
Regardless, the problem is that many students let down their guard and become complacent.
Keep in mind, that for each person who relaxes too much, you have many others who are doubling
their efforts to improve.
One of my viewers sent me the following:
“The first semester I was extremely engaged
and finished in the top 20% of my class.
The 2nd semester I got a bit cocky and lackadaisical.
I finished close to the middle of the pack.
I am in no danger of failing or losing my scholarship, but mediocrity is not something
I strive for.”
Unfortunately, he learned this lesson too late.
This lesson resonates with me because the same thing happened to me.
I was so focused on getting into a top law school,
that once I got in I let my guard down,
and didn’t get the grades I wanted my first semester of law school.
I fell into the complacency trap.
Okay, let’s move to the six solutions, which requires us to understand that the problem
is internal and not external.
Like I’ve said before, inward, outward, and upward.
You have to win the internal battle, which means using the reverse psychology.
After all, you got grades you were happy with the first semester, so you clearly have the
ability to succeed.
One, continuous improvement.
What you have to do is pretend you didn’t get good grades and
work on moving up to the next level.
One of the top law students at the University of North Dakota came to my office to review
her final exam.
She earned a great grade, but asked what she could have done differently.
I believe that this strategy of continuous improvement is why she will likely graduate
number one in her class.
Two, fear.
You need to understand that there are a dozen people right behind you that want to take
your place, which is true.
Though you shouldn’t live in constant fear, a bit fear is healthy and
will keep you moving upward.
Three, process focus.
You earned your grades by following some process.
That could have been briefing all your cases, attending class consistently,
making your own outlines.
Periodically you want to review your process, improve on it as necessary,
and keep to the plan.
Another student came to my office after a great first semester and
a disastrous second semester.
He told me he stopped briefing cases and began relying on canned briefs his second semester,
and he ended up doing poorly.
Don’t stop doing what is working.
Four, rest and relaxation.
Success requires a certain amount of drive and determination.
One student I work with at a top 25 law school told me her schedule.
She has every moment of her day planned out, including four hours of sleep a night.
She also needs to build in some time for exercise and some down time.
Interestingly, academic studies show that the brain works best with regular physical
exercise, which is why I spend an hour at the gym three to four days a week.
Five, think about today.
Don’t worry about yesterday as that won’t help you today.
Whether that is thinking about past failures or successes, it is what you do today that
will propel you upward.
Six, honest feedback.
Find people or resources that will provide you with the criticism you need to improve.
While having someone tell you’re doing great feels good, you need someone who can be brutally
honest so that you can grow.
Don’t forget, new videos every other Wednesday, which will help you become a better student
and a better lawyer.