April 17, 2004
Golf as Metaphor
Many thanks to D.K. for the following nugget of wisdom...
A law school semester can be likened to a golf tournament. Four days in a golf tournament, four months in a semester...
Thursday & Friday (Months 1-2)
You can't win a tournament in the first two days, but you can lose one. The same holds true for a semester at law school: it can't be won in the first two months, but it can be lost. Miss too much class or fall too far behind in the reading, and you will almost certainly "miss the cut."
Saturday (Month 3)
You've made the cut, now it's time to make your move. The sole object is to get yourself into position for victory. It's about catching up where you've fallen behind, getting the outlines going, looking at some past exams. Whatever it takes to put you within striking distance.
Sunday (Month 4)
If you did what you were supposed to on Saturday, your score isn't likely to change too much on Sunday (and it shouldn't need to!). You may drop a stroke, or hopefully, pick up a couple. But, major drops or gains are unlikely. If you've done what you were supposed to in the first three months, it's not likely you will fall too far at exam time. At the same time, if you're not where you want to be going into the last month, it may take a miracle to boost your scores. Ultimately, your exam performance is likely to mirror your preparation in the first 3/4 of the semester.
While I'm not sure if the analogy will hold for everyone, for me, it seemed an appropriate comparison...
A law school semester can be likened to a golf tournament. Four days in a golf tournament, four months in a semester...
Thursday & Friday (Months 1-2)
You can't win a tournament in the first two days, but you can lose one. The same holds true for a semester at law school: it can't be won in the first two months, but it can be lost. Miss too much class or fall too far behind in the reading, and you will almost certainly "miss the cut."
Saturday (Month 3)
You've made the cut, now it's time to make your move. The sole object is to get yourself into position for victory. It's about catching up where you've fallen behind, getting the outlines going, looking at some past exams. Whatever it takes to put you within striking distance.
Sunday (Month 4)
If you did what you were supposed to on Saturday, your score isn't likely to change too much on Sunday (and it shouldn't need to!). You may drop a stroke, or hopefully, pick up a couple. But, major drops or gains are unlikely. If you've done what you were supposed to in the first three months, it's not likely you will fall too far at exam time. At the same time, if you're not where you want to be going into the last month, it may take a miracle to boost your scores. Ultimately, your exam performance is likely to mirror your preparation in the first 3/4 of the semester.
While I'm not sure if the analogy will hold for everyone, for me, it seemed an appropriate comparison...
