Unsurprising news
A new study released this week by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research shows that “third-year [law] students do not work as hard as their counterparts to meet faculty members’ expectations.”
According to the survey, third-year students do not work as hard as their counterparts to meet faculty members’ expectations, nor do they discuss legal issues and ideas outside of class as often as other law students. As many as one-quarter of third-year students frequently come to class unprepared. When estimating how much they have gained from law school, third-year students look similar to first- and second-year students in areas such as critical thinking, effective writing and work-related knowledge or skills.
The results of this study are as surprising as one would be that concluded seniors in high school and undergraduate institutions did not work as hard as their counterparts. It’s to be expected. But for third year law students who already have jobs lined up, slacking in the classroom may not be as irrational as the article makes it appear. For most third year students they’re experiencing the most free time they’ll have until retirement, and since grades will not factor into a job they already have, it’s often wise to focus on other things.
