Monday, 12/20 - Wednesday, 12/22: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday, 12/27 - Wednesday, 12/29: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed: Thursday, 12/23 - Friday, 12/24
Thursday, 12/30 - Friday, 12/31
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Top Ten Things Companies Look For When Making Hiring Decisions
By:
1. Presentation
The first thing a recruiter notices when you show up for an interview is your overall presentation. Are you prepared? Do you exude a professional image? Are you wearing professional attire? In order to meet the presentation requirements you should be able to answer yes to all of these questions. Arriving to an interview late and/or wearing inappropriate clothing, piercings, etc. will not give you a top ranking in this category.
2. Work Experience
Most positions have a minimum work experience requirement. It is vital to display your level of knowledge for the industry you are applying as well as being able to back that up with your experience. This will show you are well versed.
Being honest about your previous experience is also important. You don’t want to get yourself into a situation where you are not qualified as it may hinder your future success. Thoroughly read the job description and ask questions prior to applying/setting up an interview. By doing this the Recruiter may determine there is another opportunity that is a better fit for you.
3. Service Orientation
In the hospitality industry service is extremely important as it is our job to provide service excellence to our guests. This is the same for any company that provides customer service to clients. Being able to provide examples of times when you went above and beyond for a guest/client is key. This demonstrates your commitment and understanding of the importance of service. Also being able to explain situations where a guest/client was unhappy and how you were able to turn things around through service recovery will really help you shine in this area.
4. Communication Skills
The way you speak throughout an interview can make or break you. Speaking grammatically correct and articulating your thoughts with confidence and poise will put you on the top of the Recruiter’s list. Communication is so important to any organization. The inability to communicate effectively is unacceptable. Choosing your words wisely and speaking in a professional manner is a must. Using swear words or slang can really turn off the Recruiter. Also using words/phrases such as “like,” “um,” “ya know,” etc. can come across as immature, making the Recruiter question your ability to lead. Practice makes perfect, so if you are having difficulty with this area sign up for mock interviews or other programs through your Career Services department to help you prepare.
5. Organizational Skills
Many positions require you to be organized, so you need to be able to communicate to the Recruiter examples of how you manage your time and tasks effectively. Think back on a group project that you had for school. What was your role? What was your plan for completing the project? How did you come up with it? What challenges did you face? How did you overcome these challenges? What was the final outcome? Looking back, what would you have done differently? Showing your ability to prioritize, multi task and ultimately be successful through real life examples will help you during this portion of the interview.
6. Interpersonal Skills
It is important to prove to any employer that you have strong interpersonal skills. This means, having the ability to create an atmosphere of openness and trust. If you are unable to project a team mentality and give the impression you are only focused on yourself and personal gain this will likely turn most employers away. Giving examples of how you have contributed to creating a positive work environment will prove to your potential employer that you possess strong interpersonal skills. For example, I’ve interviewed students before who looked appalled when I told them as a manager you are expected to jump in and help out your staff whether it’s cleaning rooms, washing dishes, etc. I’m impressed with the students that respond with,” Well of course! You can’t be a great manager if you don’t know how to do the job of your employees and you aren’t willing to be hands on.”
7. Enthusiasm
Bringing enthusiasm to an interview is key so get the coffee brewing! Having a laze faire attitude will cause the employer question your commitment, interest and drive. You can show your enthusiasm with a big smile, energy and through your non-verbal actions. For example, Leaning back in the chair with your arms crossed and legs up tells us you could care less. Having good posture and leaning slightly forward tells us you are not only interested but engaged. Enthusiasm tells a recruiter you are truly interested and passionate about the company and position you are applying. Being able to articulate your career aspirations/goals as well as your accomplishments will confirm you are a self-starter and can bring something to the table.
8. Maturity
Being sure of yourself and reflecting confidence will most definitely help you land the job! However, confidence is good and arrogance is not. There is a fine line. No one knows everything and you should never assume you know more than the person sitting next to you. However it is important to show you are confident in your skills and abilities based on your previous experiences and accomplishments. On the other hand, coming across completely unsure of your self may result in the Recruiter questioning your knowledge and ability to be a future leader in the company. Maturity also means showing professionalism throughout the interview and never talking poorly about previous employers. We have all had jobs that weren’t our favorite and that’s ok, but how you spin it will prove your level of maturity. Tell your recruiter what you learned from your experience and how it shaped the person you are today and the manager you will become.
9. Tenacity
Providing examples of how you have stayed positive during times of adversity whether in your school or work experiences tells a lot about you. It lets us know whether or not you can handle challenging situations and tough times or whether you need direction and coaching. For example what did you do when you had a guest or customer who was upset? Did you stay calm and figure out the problem or were you quick to get a manager so you didn’t have to deal with the problem?
10. Flexibility
An ideal candidate to most organizations is someone who is committed. A candidate who understands the industry they are applying and what it takes to succeed in that industry. Someone who is so committed they are willing to go anywhere and do anything to get the job done. Someone who is flexible and a team player is deemed an asset to almost all businesses.
1. Presentation
The first thing a recruiter notices when you show up for an interview is your overall presentation. Are you prepared? Do you exude a professional image? Are you wearing professional attire? In order to meet the presentation requirements you should be able to answer yes to all of these questions. Arriving to an interview late and/or wearing inappropriate clothing, piercings, etc. will not give you a top ranking in this category.
2. Work Experience
Most positions have a minimum work experience requirement. It is vital to display your level of knowledge for the industry you are applying as well as being able to back that up with your experience. This will show you are well versed.
Being honest about your previous experience is also important. You don’t want to get yourself into a situation where you are not qualified as it may hinder your future success. Thoroughly read the job description and ask questions prior to applying/setting up an interview. By doing this the Recruiter may determine there is another opportunity that is a better fit for you.
3. Service Orientation
In the hospitality industry service is extremely important as it is our job to provide service excellence to our guests. This is the same for any company that provides customer service to clients. Being able to provide examples of times when you went above and beyond for a guest/client is key. This demonstrates your commitment and understanding of the importance of service. Also being able to explain situations where a guest/client was unhappy and how you were able to turn things around through service recovery will really help you shine in this area.
4. Communication Skills
The way you speak throughout an interview can make or break you. Speaking grammatically correct and articulating your thoughts with confidence and poise will put you on the top of the Recruiter’s list. Communication is so important to any organization. The inability to communicate effectively is unacceptable. Choosing your words wisely and speaking in a professional manner is a must. Using swear words or slang can really turn off the Recruiter. Also using words/phrases such as “like,” “um,” “ya know,” etc. can come across as immature, making the Recruiter question your ability to lead. Practice makes perfect, so if you are having difficulty with this area sign up for mock interviews or other programs through your Career Services department to help you prepare.
5. Organizational Skills
Many positions require you to be organized, so you need to be able to communicate to the Recruiter examples of how you manage your time and tasks effectively. Think back on a group project that you had for school. What was your role? What was your plan for completing the project? How did you come up with it? What challenges did you face? How did you overcome these challenges? What was the final outcome? Looking back, what would you have done differently? Showing your ability to prioritize, multi task and ultimately be successful through real life examples will help you during this portion of the interview.
6. Interpersonal Skills
It is important to prove to any employer that you have strong interpersonal skills. This means, having the ability to create an atmosphere of openness and trust. If you are unable to project a team mentality and give the impression you are only focused on yourself and personal gain this will likely turn most employers away. Giving examples of how you have contributed to creating a positive work environment will prove to your potential employer that you possess strong interpersonal skills. For example, I’ve interviewed students before who looked appalled when I told them as a manager you are expected to jump in and help out your staff whether it’s cleaning rooms, washing dishes, etc. I’m impressed with the students that respond with,” Well of course! You can’t be a great manager if you don’t know how to do the job of your employees and you aren’t willing to be hands on.”
7. Enthusiasm
Bringing enthusiasm to an interview is key so get the coffee brewing! Having a laze faire attitude will cause the employer question your commitment, interest and drive. You can show your enthusiasm with a big smile, energy and through your non-verbal actions. For example, Leaning back in the chair with your arms crossed and legs up tells us you could care less. Having good posture and leaning slightly forward tells us you are not only interested but engaged. Enthusiasm tells a recruiter you are truly interested and passionate about the company and position you are applying. Being able to articulate your career aspirations/goals as well as your accomplishments will confirm you are a self-starter and can bring something to the table.
8. Maturity
Being sure of yourself and reflecting confidence will most definitely help you land the job! However, confidence is good and arrogance is not. There is a fine line. No one knows everything and you should never assume you know more than the person sitting next to you. However it is important to show you are confident in your skills and abilities based on your previous experiences and accomplishments. On the other hand, coming across completely unsure of your self may result in the Recruiter questioning your knowledge and ability to be a future leader in the company. Maturity also means showing professionalism throughout the interview and never talking poorly about previous employers. We have all had jobs that weren’t our favorite and that’s ok, but how you spin it will prove your level of maturity. Tell your recruiter what you learned from your experience and how it shaped the person you are today and the manager you will become.
9. Tenacity
Providing examples of how you have stayed positive during times of adversity whether in your school or work experiences tells a lot about you. It lets us know whether or not you can handle challenging situations and tough times or whether you need direction and coaching. For example what did you do when you had a guest or customer who was upset? Did you stay calm and figure out the problem or were you quick to get a manager so you didn’t have to deal with the problem?
10. Flexibility
An ideal candidate to most organizations is someone who is committed. A candidate who understands the industry they are applying and what it takes to succeed in that industry. Someone who is so committed they are willing to go anywhere and do anything to get the job done. Someone who is flexible and a team player is deemed an asset to almost all businesses.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Ideas of What to Ask For For Christmas
by Amanda Ellis
7 Books for Every Mediator's Holiday Wish List
Tim Sanders' Top Four Business Books
The 6Ps of the BIG 3 for Job-Seeking JDs
Amanda Ellis, http://www.aellislegal.com/
- Transportation Tickets. Ask for a subway or bus ticket, gas card, or airline gift card/voucher (if relocating) to help get to/from interviews.
- Thank you notes. In today's e-mail world, a hand-written thank you note distinguishes you from other job seekers. Ask for traditional thank you note cards so you are prepared to distinguish yourself after your interviews.
- Introductions/Leads. Ask every family member to introduce you to a lawyer he or she knows. Then, contact that lawyer for an informational interview (and, see gift item #1 in the previous list).
- Coaching Sessions. If you are in your fourth year of practice or beyond, it's going to become more difficult for you to obtain a new job the more senior you become unless you have your own business. Ask for coaching sessions with a business development coach to get you on the right track for developing your own business. Or, maybe you aren't sure if you want to continue practicing law. Ask for coaching sessions with a career coach who specializes in alternative careers.
- Dues/Subscriptions. Think about publications that would be helpful to read in your job search and ask for a subscription (i.e., Wall Street Journal, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review). Or, think about organizations that would be helpful for your professional networking goals and ask for the membership dues.
- Books. Ask for a book that will teach you about networking, business planning or career planning. Consider the books on the following lists:
7 Books for Every Mediator's Holiday Wish List
Tim Sanders' Top Four Business Books
The 6Ps of the BIG 3 for Job-Seeking JDs
Amanda Ellis, http://www.aellislegal.com/
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Timing Final Exams: What Law Students Can Learn from Cinderella
by Laura Bergus, http://www.lawyerist.com/
■In preparing your outline, boil the whole class, or at least each unit of the class, down to a single “spark sheet.” This should be a bare-bones list or basic flowchart with minimal detail. Quiz yourself on each level/item until you can barf out the elements and exceptions in seconds flat. By the morning of the exam, a glance at your spark sheet should trigger a waterfall of “Yeah, I know that, and that, and that…” in your head. If you can, memorize the list with an acronym or other mnemonic. It only needs to make sense to you, and only for a few hours.
■While studying, note especially the issues that take more time and effort to explain. Your tendency will be to gloss those over and focus on issues you know well. But practice the tougher ones hard and you’ll end up saving lots of essay-writing time. Remember that too much time spent agonizing over one issue means points lost on another you ran out of time to mention.
■While reading an essay prompt, note every issue as you spot it, but don’t analyze while you read! Just write down a list of issues (words or phrases like “consideration,” “offer,” “acceptance,” and “substantial performance” should pop up in your Contracts fact pattern, for instance). Use that list as you write to gauge how much time you’ve spent on each issue relative to the whole list.
■If your exam has multiple parts, set precise time limits for each part, and stick to them. This is perhaps the hardest part, but it’s essential. You will not get points for a question you fail to answer. You probably will, however, get points for mentioning something in even a very cursory manner. Many of my profs have advised summarizing the issues in bullet points or an outline if time is about to run out.
■Play to the curve by pointing out areas others might miss. Your earlier strategy of boiling down the whole course into something that will trigger deeper levels of memorized information will enable you to spot and write on the many subtle or peripheral issues your prof will jam into the exam. As long as you don’t waste time by extrapolating on an issue that can be dealt with in half a sentence, you will likely gain extra points through more thorough issue-spotting. Correlate every single fact to something in your essay, and you’ve probably hit it all.
■Don’t panic. Remember that law school is a mind game. My academic advisor once told me that over 60% of law school grades variation was based on students’ mental state during exams. I have no idea if this is true, but, man, if you can channel some calm on test day, you’ll have a distinct advantage. Staying calm in the context of a timed exam means remembering to watch the clock, pacing your answers, trusting your memory and your outline, and knowing when to short-circuit an answer to claim any points rather than trying for all the points.
http://lawyerist.com/timing-final-exams/
■In preparing your outline, boil the whole class, or at least each unit of the class, down to a single “spark sheet.” This should be a bare-bones list or basic flowchart with minimal detail. Quiz yourself on each level/item until you can barf out the elements and exceptions in seconds flat. By the morning of the exam, a glance at your spark sheet should trigger a waterfall of “Yeah, I know that, and that, and that…” in your head. If you can, memorize the list with an acronym or other mnemonic. It only needs to make sense to you, and only for a few hours.
■While studying, note especially the issues that take more time and effort to explain. Your tendency will be to gloss those over and focus on issues you know well. But practice the tougher ones hard and you’ll end up saving lots of essay-writing time. Remember that too much time spent agonizing over one issue means points lost on another you ran out of time to mention.
■While reading an essay prompt, note every issue as you spot it, but don’t analyze while you read! Just write down a list of issues (words or phrases like “consideration,” “offer,” “acceptance,” and “substantial performance” should pop up in your Contracts fact pattern, for instance). Use that list as you write to gauge how much time you’ve spent on each issue relative to the whole list.
■If your exam has multiple parts, set precise time limits for each part, and stick to them. This is perhaps the hardest part, but it’s essential. You will not get points for a question you fail to answer. You probably will, however, get points for mentioning something in even a very cursory manner. Many of my profs have advised summarizing the issues in bullet points or an outline if time is about to run out.
■Play to the curve by pointing out areas others might miss. Your earlier strategy of boiling down the whole course into something that will trigger deeper levels of memorized information will enable you to spot and write on the many subtle or peripheral issues your prof will jam into the exam. As long as you don’t waste time by extrapolating on an issue that can be dealt with in half a sentence, you will likely gain extra points through more thorough issue-spotting. Correlate every single fact to something in your essay, and you’ve probably hit it all.
■Don’t panic. Remember that law school is a mind game. My academic advisor once told me that over 60% of law school grades variation was based on students’ mental state during exams. I have no idea if this is true, but, man, if you can channel some calm on test day, you’ll have a distinct advantage. Staying calm in the context of a timed exam means remembering to watch the clock, pacing your answers, trusting your memory and your outline, and knowing when to short-circuit an answer to claim any points rather than trying for all the points.
http://lawyerist.com/timing-final-exams/
Friday, December 3, 2010
10 Stressors to Avoid
by Amy Jarmon, Assistant Dean for Academic Success Programs, Texas Tech
Tis' the season for stress - Part II. You want to avoid the following things so your stress level does not skyrocket:
•Procrastination. The longer you put off a task, the more onerous it becomes. Stress builds as the guilt builds. Stress builds as the deadline gets closer and time runs out. "I work better under pressure" is a destructive myth.
•Missed deadlines for papers or projects. Check and double-check. And also make sure you follow any extra instuctions regarding document binding, hard copies versus electronic copies, location for submission, or other requirements.
•Lack of practice questions before the exam. Your stress will be greater if you have done very few practice questions. Practice questions ahead of the exam allow you to monitor your understanding of the content, apply the content to new fact scenarios, practice exam-taking strategies, and practice some questions under timed conditions.
•Errors in reading your exam schedule. Check and double-check. Know the date. Know the time. Know the room. If you get disability accommodations, make sure you know your exam schedule rather than the published exam schedule that everyone else follows.
•Over-sleeping your exam. A major stressor! Get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before the exam. Set multiple alarms. Have a friend call you if necessary.
•Poor time management in the exams. It is important to finish all questions on the exam. Having to rush to finish increases stress. Distribute your time wisely by making a time chart as soon as the exam begins. Note the times that you must begin and end questions. For each fact-pattern-essay question, divide the amount of time for that question between reading, analyzing, and organizing (1/3) and writing (2/3). For multiple-choice questions, determine time checkpoints and the number of questions you must complete by that time (for example, 15 after 1/2 hour; 30 after 1 hour; 45 after 1 1/2 hours; 60 after 2 hours).
•Family commitments and home projects. Avoid non-urgent commitments that increase stress by decreasing study time. Now is not a good time to invite Auntie Em to visit for two weeks or decide to paint the living room. Alert your family and friends to the fact that your success is dependent on your focusing on your studies.
•Work obligations. Combining work and study is stressful during exams. Evening or part-time students who work full-time should consider whether they can take vacation days to gain more study time. Part-time law clerks should consider decreasing or eliminating work hours during exams if their employers are understanding.
•Reliance on rumours. Do not believe everything you hear. The grapevine content will increase in its absurdity at this time of year. If the message you hear results in more stress, it was probably disseminated by another law student who wanted to scare his competition.
•Dependence on energy drinks. Being over-caffeinated will not assist your studying. You will be stressed, irritable, and jittery. Beware of mixing these beverages with medications or alcohol.
Each person has individual stressors that should also be avoided as much as possible: certain people, chores, travel routes, etc. Be aware of your stressors and plan ways to minimize or eliminate them.
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/academic_support/2010/12/10-stressors-to-avoid.html
Tis' the season for stress - Part II. You want to avoid the following things so your stress level does not skyrocket:
•Procrastination. The longer you put off a task, the more onerous it becomes. Stress builds as the guilt builds. Stress builds as the deadline gets closer and time runs out. "I work better under pressure" is a destructive myth.
•Missed deadlines for papers or projects. Check and double-check. And also make sure you follow any extra instuctions regarding document binding, hard copies versus electronic copies, location for submission, or other requirements.
•Lack of practice questions before the exam. Your stress will be greater if you have done very few practice questions. Practice questions ahead of the exam allow you to monitor your understanding of the content, apply the content to new fact scenarios, practice exam-taking strategies, and practice some questions under timed conditions.
•Errors in reading your exam schedule. Check and double-check. Know the date. Know the time. Know the room. If you get disability accommodations, make sure you know your exam schedule rather than the published exam schedule that everyone else follows.
•Over-sleeping your exam. A major stressor! Get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before the exam. Set multiple alarms. Have a friend call you if necessary.
•Poor time management in the exams. It is important to finish all questions on the exam. Having to rush to finish increases stress. Distribute your time wisely by making a time chart as soon as the exam begins. Note the times that you must begin and end questions. For each fact-pattern-essay question, divide the amount of time for that question between reading, analyzing, and organizing (1/3) and writing (2/3). For multiple-choice questions, determine time checkpoints and the number of questions you must complete by that time (for example, 15 after 1/2 hour; 30 after 1 hour; 45 after 1 1/2 hours; 60 after 2 hours).
•Family commitments and home projects. Avoid non-urgent commitments that increase stress by decreasing study time. Now is not a good time to invite Auntie Em to visit for two weeks or decide to paint the living room. Alert your family and friends to the fact that your success is dependent on your focusing on your studies.
•Work obligations. Combining work and study is stressful during exams. Evening or part-time students who work full-time should consider whether they can take vacation days to gain more study time. Part-time law clerks should consider decreasing or eliminating work hours during exams if their employers are understanding.
•Reliance on rumours. Do not believe everything you hear. The grapevine content will increase in its absurdity at this time of year. If the message you hear results in more stress, it was probably disseminated by another law student who wanted to scare his competition.
•Dependence on energy drinks. Being over-caffeinated will not assist your studying. You will be stressed, irritable, and jittery. Beware of mixing these beverages with medications or alcohol.
Each person has individual stressors that should also be avoided as much as possible: certain people, chores, travel routes, etc. Be aware of your stressors and plan ways to minimize or eliminate them.
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/academic_support/2010/12/10-stressors-to-avoid.html
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
10 Stress Busters
by Amy Jarmon, Assistant Dean for Academic Success Programs, Texas Tech University School of Law
Tis' the season for stress. Consider using the following quick tips to lower stress:
•Do your hardest or least liked task first. That way it will not hang over you all day and increase your stress.
•Break down any task into smaller steps. It is less stressful to contemplate reading just one case than to approach 35 pages of reading for a course. After the first case, contemplate just the second case, and so forth.
•Learn just two or three rules at a time. Memory will work better when not overloaded. Your stress will go down as you succeed in remembering smaller amounts of material at one time.
•Ask for help. If you hit a wall on understanding a concept, ask a classmate, teaching assistant/tutor, or professor for assistance. Stress increases dramatically when you stubbornly keep on struggling alone with only frustration as payoff.
•Mark down all deadlines. Mark down an artificial deadline two days prior to each real deadline. Work toward finishing any task by the artificial deadline. You then can be less stressed as you do a final paper edit, a few more practice questions, or a last review of your outline.
•List four things you plan to do for fun during semester break. Read the list often. You will be less stressed knowing you have things to look forward to once exams are over.
•Listen to mellow music. Find something calming and possibly do some deep-breathing exercises to while you listen.
•Go to the cinema. Sitting in a dark movie theater watching an enjoyable film allows you to get completely away from the law school grind and escape into another existence.
•Play with a child. Take your youngest, your favorite niece, or your neighbor's child to the park. Giggle a lot. Be silly. Eat a kid's meal. Remember what it was like to be that age and have fun.
•Pet your pooch or cuddle your cat. Stroking animals is calming. Animal love can make the world a more enjoyable place.
Manage your stress so that it does not manage you. The sooner you implement stress busters into your regimen, the more likely you can prevent stress from getting out of hand.
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/academic_support/2010/11/25-stress-busters.html
Tis' the season for stress. Consider using the following quick tips to lower stress:
•Do your hardest or least liked task first. That way it will not hang over you all day and increase your stress.
•Break down any task into smaller steps. It is less stressful to contemplate reading just one case than to approach 35 pages of reading for a course. After the first case, contemplate just the second case, and so forth.
•Learn just two or three rules at a time. Memory will work better when not overloaded. Your stress will go down as you succeed in remembering smaller amounts of material at one time.
•Ask for help. If you hit a wall on understanding a concept, ask a classmate, teaching assistant/tutor, or professor for assistance. Stress increases dramatically when you stubbornly keep on struggling alone with only frustration as payoff.
•Mark down all deadlines. Mark down an artificial deadline two days prior to each real deadline. Work toward finishing any task by the artificial deadline. You then can be less stressed as you do a final paper edit, a few more practice questions, or a last review of your outline.
•List four things you plan to do for fun during semester break. Read the list often. You will be less stressed knowing you have things to look forward to once exams are over.
•Listen to mellow music. Find something calming and possibly do some deep-breathing exercises to while you listen.
•Go to the cinema. Sitting in a dark movie theater watching an enjoyable film allows you to get completely away from the law school grind and escape into another existence.
•Play with a child. Take your youngest, your favorite niece, or your neighbor's child to the park. Giggle a lot. Be silly. Eat a kid's meal. Remember what it was like to be that age and have fun.
•Pet your pooch or cuddle your cat. Stroking animals is calming. Animal love can make the world a more enjoyable place.
Manage your stress so that it does not manage you. The sooner you implement stress busters into your regimen, the more likely you can prevent stress from getting out of hand.
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/academic_support/2010/11/25-stress-busters.html
Some Tips for Upcoming Exams
by Amy Jarmon, Assistant Dean for Academic Success Programs,Texas Tech Univ. School of Law
Sometimes it is the little things that are most beneficial during the exam period. They give you more control over the situation and more confidence. Here are some tips:
•Scope out your seating. If you will not be assigned a specific seat for an exam, decide ahead of time where you want to sit in the room to avoid distractions, have more space, or see the clock better. Then decide what time you will need to arrive before the exam to snag a seat in that area.
•Stock up on supplies. Buy extra pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, gum, tissues, or whatever else you consider essential to your exam-taking system. If a paper or project is your grade instead of an exam, stock up on paper and ink cartridges.
•Watch deadlines for exam-taking software. You may need to sign-up for permission to use a laptop ahead of time. Or you may have to download the software by a certain date. If you need a loaner laptop, there will most likely be deadlines for reserving one. Know what your law school requires.
•Know Plan B if your laptop has problems during an exam. Be prepared in case of a crash or other mishap. Know exactly your law school's procedures for handling such situations. Do not waste time trying to implement your version of a procedure when a set procedure is already in place. Make sure you have pens with you in case you need to switch to writing the exam.
•Condense the entire course to the front and back of a sheet of paper. Memorize this checklist for a closed-book exam and write it down on scrap paper as soon as the proctor says you may begin. For an open-book exam, include the checklist at the top of your outline.
•Beware the open-book exam trap. You will not have time to look everything up so you need to study thoroughly. Do not waste time looking up answers that you are fairly sure are correct. Make sure you know your professor's definition of "open book" because it varies greatly among professors.
•Take a break for at least 2 hours after an exam is finished if at all possible. Your brain cells will need a rest. At least get a good meal before going back to studying. If you can go for a workout or to the movies in addition, it will relax you.
•Do not talk about the exam with other students. Talking about an exam only increases stress. You will inevitably talk either to someone who saw issues that did not actually exist (and doubt yourself) or will discover that indeed you missed a major issue. You need to focus on the next exam rather than the one you finished. Also, there may be students who have not yet taken the exam because of rescheduling, and they may overhear information without your realizing it.
Plan ahead for exam taking. Do not leave things to chance. Whatever factors apply to your situation, think through your strategies and needs.
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/academic_support/2010/11/some-tips-for-upcoming-exams.html
Sometimes it is the little things that are most beneficial during the exam period. They give you more control over the situation and more confidence. Here are some tips:
•Scope out your seating. If you will not be assigned a specific seat for an exam, decide ahead of time where you want to sit in the room to avoid distractions, have more space, or see the clock better. Then decide what time you will need to arrive before the exam to snag a seat in that area.
•Stock up on supplies. Buy extra pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, gum, tissues, or whatever else you consider essential to your exam-taking system. If a paper or project is your grade instead of an exam, stock up on paper and ink cartridges.
•Watch deadlines for exam-taking software. You may need to sign-up for permission to use a laptop ahead of time. Or you may have to download the software by a certain date. If you need a loaner laptop, there will most likely be deadlines for reserving one. Know what your law school requires.
•Know Plan B if your laptop has problems during an exam. Be prepared in case of a crash or other mishap. Know exactly your law school's procedures for handling such situations. Do not waste time trying to implement your version of a procedure when a set procedure is already in place. Make sure you have pens with you in case you need to switch to writing the exam.
•Condense the entire course to the front and back of a sheet of paper. Memorize this checklist for a closed-book exam and write it down on scrap paper as soon as the proctor says you may begin. For an open-book exam, include the checklist at the top of your outline.
•Beware the open-book exam trap. You will not have time to look everything up so you need to study thoroughly. Do not waste time looking up answers that you are fairly sure are correct. Make sure you know your professor's definition of "open book" because it varies greatly among professors.
•Take a break for at least 2 hours after an exam is finished if at all possible. Your brain cells will need a rest. At least get a good meal before going back to studying. If you can go for a workout or to the movies in addition, it will relax you.
•Do not talk about the exam with other students. Talking about an exam only increases stress. You will inevitably talk either to someone who saw issues that did not actually exist (and doubt yourself) or will discover that indeed you missed a major issue. You need to focus on the next exam rather than the one you finished. Also, there may be students who have not yet taken the exam because of rescheduling, and they may overhear information without your realizing it.
Plan ahead for exam taking. Do not leave things to chance. Whatever factors apply to your situation, think through your strategies and needs.
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/academic_support/2010/11/some-tips-for-upcoming-exams.html
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