Academic Achievement Program

College of Law

Frequently Asked Questions

What is academic support?
In broad terms academic support means rendering students the academic assistance that will be most meaningful to them as individuals.  The nuts and bolts of academic support normally include instruction on efficient reading, case briefing, note taking and outlining.  But academic support also involves assessing individual students:  When is the best time for you to study? How can you maintain your focus in class? How can you better manage your time? The answer to these types of questions will depend on the characteristics of an individual student.

When should I seek out academic support?
There are no hard and fast answers to this question.  As a general proposition you should seek out academic support whenever you have questions about your study methods.  However, in no event should you wait until the end of the first semester before seeking help.  Remember, unlike the undergraduate experience it will almost never be possible to "crunch" for exams at the last minute.  Ideally, you should be assessing your study methods continuously and should begin to seriously address any problems you feel you are encountering no later than mid-semester.    

Is it a sign of weakness to seek out academic support?
On the contrary, seeking out academic support is a sign of professional competence.  It would be an unprofessional service to a client for a lawyer to proceed in any matter in which he or she felt unprepared.  No one can understand everything and everyone has room for improvement.  Seeking out academic support in law school should be seen as the first step in developing the professional skill of becoming and remaining competent in the law and performing to the best of your ability.

Will seeking out academic support services guarantee my success?
Absolutely not.  Ultimately, your are the only guarantor of your success.  However, academic support is an efficient tool for identifying and focusing on "weak spots" in your study regime, analytical tendencies and approach to exams.
 

In this section, we are listing the questions most frequently asked. If your question is not answered here, please contact Matt Klein with your question.