The top-ranked law schools in the country, just like other institutions of higher learning, value the importance of grades in evaluating student performance. Recently, the number of students getting high GPAs have been increasing – a phenomenon called grade inflation. In response to this phenomenon, many colleges and universities have raised their grade percentiles to gather just a few chosen students who make it to the top. Since most prestigious law firms take into account the grades and ranking of a potential applicant, raised percentiles ultimately limit some individuals who may have had potential if they only made the cut.
Grade-based law schools
Attending grade-based law schools can be stressful, as the grading system is very harsh, awarding the top ranks only to a number of people. Some grade-based law schools try to combat grade inflation by raising the grade percentile of the class. These law schools instill limits to which certain grades can only be given to a specific percentage of the class.
Fierce competition then ensues among the students, as being in the top percentile, especially during the first year, can make one a viable target of prestigious law firms. This harsh grading system can certainly bring out the best in some, but can be quite stressful to others.
Non-grade based law schools
Non-grade based law schools on the other hand are not much affected by grade inflation. Instead of using the conventional percentage-based system, a non-grading law school such as the Boalt Hall of Berkeley Law ranks students into High Honors (HH), Honors (H), Pass (P), Substandard Pass (PC), and No Credit (NC) based not only on academics but on other factors as well.
Non-grade law schools have more relaxed limits that gives credit to students who may not be doing well in some aspects but are still given credit for other accomplishments in the class. Though these law schools also employ limitations in giving HH and H rankings, students are more at ease as having mostly Pass grades, and getting only a number of Honors will not discount them from landing positions in the top firms.
Photo Credit : NCinDC
Success is not always based on fate or chance. Very few people blame themselves for the failure or problems they experience. “Fate didn’t want me to have it,” they say. But is it really fate’s fault that you got an F in one of your papers?
People are given free will to feel to do what they like to do and what they’re supposed to do. You are in control of your life and the same thing goes with school. You can submit excellent thesis papers if you want to. You can get good grades if you want to. You just have to work hard for them. You can be a successful student only if you choose to be successful. So, what makes a student unsuccessful? Here are some points to give you an idea of what makes students unsuccessful.
* Unsuccessful students settle for “average” instead of “excellent.”
Many students turn out to be unsuccessful because they never aspire to be great in the first place. They do not have the same drive and determination that other students have. Instead of aiming for outstanding, they settle for passable. They submit half-researched reports and write half-hearted essays. Many students reason out that they can skip the studying part because they can rely on their “well-stocked brain” for the test answers. Don’t just rely on luck to help you get an A. Work hard for it.
Common indications:
* This is okay.
* I’ll just submit it anyway.
* This will do.
* Unsuccessful students procrastinate until hours before the deadline.
The number one hindrance to the success of students is procrastination. School may be stressful but that’s not a reason to slack off all day. Why put off school work for tomorrow when you can start your research today? Although it works for other people, cramming is never recommended for students. You can’t force your brain to retain five chapters of a science class in an hour before your midterm exam. Most exams are scheduled for a reason. Because your professors are giving you “time” to study, take advantage of that time to learn more. Start working now, before success procrastinates on its way to you.
Common indications:
* I still have time…
* I’ll do it tomorrow.
* I still don’t feel like doing it…
* Unsuccessful students accept failure even before it becomes a possibility.
An old saying that we keep on hearing from our parents and our friends is to never give up. Another reason many students fail to find success is because they accept failure even before it becomes a possibility. School has no room for pessimism. If you get a low score, take it as a challenge to do better on your next test. Do not take it as an indicator of a big F on your report card. Be honest with yourself and identify the areas you still need to improve on. Study harder. Work better. Shortcomings and criticisms are not intended to keep you down – they are meant to inspire you to do better. Accept your mistakes and learn from them.
Common indications:
* I can’t do this…
* What for?
* I’m going to fail anyway.
* Unsuccessful students make hasty decisions and forget to look at the big picture.
Your friend is throwing a party but you have a final exam tomorrow. What will you do? Another characteristic of unsuccessful students is that they are easily persuaded. Instead of spending the entire night studying for their classes, they cut hell loose by drinking beer and singing karaoke with their friends. This is especially true for some students who love to hastily decide on going to a party instead of studying for an exam tomorrow. As they act on impulse, they forget to look at the bigger picture; failing an exam can lead to low grades which could then have an impact on future school applications.
School should always be your priority and getting good grades are your responsibility. Try to discipline yourself by learning how to say “no” to last-minute party invites and say “yes” to four-hour review sessions.
Common indications:
* Study hard but party harder!
* I have a test tomorrow… what time is it again?
* Test? What test? Let’s just do this instead.
Photo Credit : Wyetha
