Practical Advice

Consider taking a somewhat lighter load (no more than 13- 14 hours) in first semester of your 2nd year and the last semester of your third year.  In first semester of your 2nd year, you will be more busy than you think. Reading loads will double; you will be working on legal pro; you will be working on your summer job hunting and you will be involved in student activities including law review. Give yourself some breathing space. In the last semester of your third year, you are bored, tired and overwork. You will need time to think about the bar and to begin some initial preparation. Again, give yourself some breathing space.

If your GPA is less than a 2.2 than your primary focus for the second year should be on improving your GPA. ALL your decisions should be influenced by how well you think you can perform. You want to put as much distance between you and the 2.0 line. If you don't you will be at-risk of flunking out in the last year. How you ask? In your last semester you have a GPA of 2.04, you make a C- (1.7) your overall GPA drops below 2.0 - Bingo you are dismissed.

Spread the four credit hour courses over the entire four semesters. If you don't you could fine yourself having to take 7 courses to get 14 credits in your last semester.

Remember passing the bar is not just about taking substantive courses, you also need to be able to effectively take short essay questions (30 mins),  multiple choice questions and performance exam questions.  Take some courses that will provide you the opportunity to work on those skills. For instance, Clinic is a bar course because it helps develop drafting and file management skills important to the Performance Exam.

Take Evidence in the second semester of your 2nd year so you can take clinic in your third year. Even if you don't know if you want to take clinic, you should still take evidence at this time so you can get an intern license if you want.

Consider how professors teach. Know how you learn best.  Take professors who teach to your strengths BUT be sure to try professors with different teaching methods (such as problem method), it could be a refreshing change.

Take an independent study course or directed reading in your heavy semesters (15 to16 credit) That will give you 2 less hours that you will have exams plus you have the added advantage of working on a topic that you are very interested in.

Other Advice

Interest

It is always important to choose a course that is interesting to you. Try courses that explore a subject you loved  or will introduce you to a subject that sounds intriguing. (Remember: Even if you are taking a course to satisfy the bar, there will be some courses that are more appealing to you than others.)

Class Size

Do you learn better in small classes or large classes? Do you prefer straight lectures or courses with discussion sections? Problem Method or Socratic Method?

Prerequisites

Some courses you may want to take will require one or more prerequisites, which are courses that give you background knowledge or skills you need in order to successfully complete another course or sequence or courses. Plan to take prerequisite courses as early as possible in your academic career. (For instance, Evidence for Clinic; Health Care Law for Externships).  

Skills

What skills do you want to improve? (writing? analysis? client? litigation? negotiation?) What new skills do you want to acquire? (computer skills? research skills? lawyering skills? n)  Choose courses that will help you reach these goals.

Requirements

Whenever possible, choose courses that will both satisfy a requirement and serve another purpose (exploring a major, acquiring a skill, bar passage, etc.). 

Legal Careers

Choose a course each semester that helps you explore a field you think you might like to work. Look at courses that may help you in your future career. (These courses may not be related to passing the bar.) For instance, Administrative Law is an essential course for almost all lawyers because no matter what area of law you choose to practice you will be dealing with administrative agency.