National Jurist - September 2007 - (Page 38)

theJDFILES How to join a study group fter having sat in on 43 different study groups, I think I know a thing or two about joining them. Here are just a few of the lessons I have learned. By Stewart 1. Wow them with power I bought every study aid available and used that arsenal to wow potential study group members. I had hornbooks, nutshells, outlines, software, CD’s, flashcards, and even those little laminated pages with summary outlines. When fellow students saw my collection, they were blown away. I offered any study group partner full access to my study aids, and had a big briefcase to ensure I always had them with me. The system seemed to work well. I landed myself in some of the most coveted study groups on campus. However, the study aids began to slowly disappear. I soon felt taken advantage of. My contracts group asked me to leave after I accused a member of stealing. After that incident, more bad fortune — my property group felt that four was the perfect number and I was the fifth member, even though I was second to join. 4. Join them all After so many unfortunate incidents, I started joining every study group I could find, knowing full well that the more I joined, the more likely I would stay in one through finals. I even joined a Chinese group. I didn’t realize they spoke in Chinese. I got a good translation guide and tried to keep up as best as possible. (Incidentally, they loved the Costco coconut cream pie). When I learned that they all spoke perfect English, I quit in outrage. have a hot pizza and a liter of Coke. 6. The future of study groups If all of these strategies fail, there is one final option — the online study group! I recently began my own online effort. I will not close the door to anyone. I am currently accepting students enrolled in any law school. Some of our members like the comfort of home; some have jobs, such as the security guard at a large office complex who can log in from work; another in the group is even fond of studying naked. (Think how awkward this would be in a conventional group.) If this sounds like you, we are accepting new study partners. We currently have four members, but expect to reach 500 by the end of the school year. With 24-hour access to our network, and now-digitized study aids, (a two thousand dollar value) this is the opportunity of a lifetime. I look forward to meeting you online. In the legal education system, there are two separate yet equally important groups: the students who represent the majority, and the stereotypes who amuse them. Stewart ‘s is one of those stories. Visit www.NJPLonline.com to see the video about Stewart, and to read about other student stereotypes. You can also visit Stewart’s myspace at http://www.myspace.com/njpl_stewart 2. Wow them with hard work I started to read ahead every week and send my group members a weekly course preview. This worked well at first — everyone got hooked on it. But then there was an unfortunate incident where I sent property notes to the contracts study partners. When they were called on, the professor was not amused. I am no longer part of that group. 5. Audit vs. joining Sounds strange, but I think auditing study groups is actually more helpful than joining them. When on campus, I usually pretend I’m just sitting nearby, minding my own business. I ingratiate myself into the group with a prepared series of questions, to which I have the answers. I then wow them with the power of the study aids. You should see their faces when I open that briefcase. To seal the deal, I whip out some cupcakes, which I keep in my backpack with a thermos of milk. This technique does not work so well when the study group meets at someone’s home. It’s hard to explain just why you dropped by. But people don’t mind when I 38 THE NATIONAL JURIST September 2007 3. Wow them with food Studying and food go hand in hand. I started baking cookies, pies and brownies for my groups. I took requests and set a baking schedule every night. I had some winners, like the M&M brownies, and some losers — the meat pie. I soon discovered Costco. It made my life a lot easier, no more three hours of baking a night, and food poisoning wouldn’t again be an issue. Everyone loves their cold cut plate, and vegetarians love their hummus. PHOTO BY MELISSA STOTTLEMYER http://www.NJPLonline.com http://www.myspace.com/njpl_stewart

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of National Jurist - September 2007

National Jurist - September 2007 Contents Free Speech Disturbing the Peace For the Record Judge Approves $49 million BAR/BRI Settlement Law School Causes Emotional Stress, Study Finds New Textbook Breaks the Mold Southern Illinois Settles Lawsuit with Christian Legal Society Ave Maria Law Professors Protest School’s Move The Firm Report Student Hoax Shuts Down Hastings Law NCCU Grad Expands Her Program for Troubled Kids Hawaii Grad Finds Excitement in Saving Whales Diversity Hampering Whittier Accreditation? The Paper Chase Chronicles The Supreme Court: An Insider’s View Detroit Mercy’s Innovative Changes Pay Off Career Hotline The J.D. Files

National Jurist - September 2007

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