{ prima facie } the Temple Law newspaper

By Kristin J. Jones

It shocks every 1L in January. Grades start rolling in and there it is, staring at you under that B you got in Contracts and the B+ you got in Torts: a C. You heard that it happens, but never expected it would happen to you. If you weren’t sitting in the library, you’d burst into tears. Don’t fret! The infamous 1L Cs happen to everyone. Here are some tips for moving on:

1. Don’t take it so seriously. Stop looking at Owlnet every thirty minutes. Your time is better spent studying, so you don’t hit that same bump in the road next year. I promise, it isn’t the difference between being unemployed and making six figures after graduation.

2. Look for a trend. Did the C come in the first exam? The last? Did you study differently or was the test multiple choice instead of essay? Or did it pop up in LRW? Talk with your professors – not just in the class you did worst in, but the classes that you did well in. Ask what they liked and didn’t like about your papers. Identifying these trends will help you figure out what needs improvement.
3. Try to improve. The best way to deal with having a C is to know you won’t make the same mistake twice. Once you’ve identified possible reasons for your C, ask upperclassmen how to fix it. Don’t know any upperclassmen? Join a club, such as, ahem, the newspaper and introduce yourself – before you know it, you have a mentor.

It is important to realize that this happens to many of your classmates, whether they admit it or not. Law school is a highly competitive arena – we were all at the top of the heap in college. Don’t let your self-worth hinge on grades. Just assess and adapt – you will get the hang of exams and you will still be a terrific lawyer.