You should complete your registration by 4:00 pm this coming Friday 11/6/2009.  Early next week we will decide which, if any, courses must be cancelled for lack of the required five student enrollment.By postponing your registration beyond 4:00 pm this coming Friday, 11/6/2009, you run the risk that a class you want will have been cancelled.Tom BlackburnAssociate Dean and Professor of Lawtblackburn@louisville.eduMonday, 11/2/2009

Pursuant to notices previously posted in The Docket, I created two TWEN sites for communicating with students about schedule issues:  one site for 2010 spring and one for 2010 summer.  Through the 2010 summer TWEN site, I emailed a list of nine courses that could be offered in 2010 summer, and asked students to rank those courses from one to nine, with one being the most desirable course.  In the same notice, I said I would announce the results of the rankings on Sunday evening, 11/1/2009, which I did by direct email through the TWEN site. Based on your rankings, the four highest ranked courses and the four courses most likely to be offered in summer 2010 are: #1 Estate and Gift Tax (Tuesday and Thursday, 5:35 pm - 7:15 pm)#2  Basic Federal Income Tax (Monday, Tu., Wed, and Th., 7:25 pm - 9:05 pm)#3  Advanced Legal Research (Monday and Wednesday, 5:35 pm - 7:15 pm)#4  Transactional Drafting Online (no scheduled class meetings because this course is conducted online) The classes and class times listed above are TENTATIVE.  We expect to offer these four classes, but unexpected things happen.  I thank those students who took the time and showed the interest to rank the classes. Tom BlackburnAssociate Dean and Professor of Law

If you are planning to take the July 2010 Kentucky Bar Exam, be sure to stop by the Academic Success Office to pick up a handout explaining the application process.  Also, mark your calendars for a presentation on January 7, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. in Room 275, regarding the Bar application process.  If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Ballard, Director of Academic Success (Room 212).

The Thanksgiving holiday is around the corner.  What does that break period mean for you?  This week’s tips will focus on how you can use your time efficiently and effectively for studying during the holiday. 

Be realistic about your holiday plans.  It is common to tell yourself that you will study at least ten times more than you actually can or will do.  Lay out a study plan that will be achievable rather than unrealistic.  Think about your travel mode, your travel time, your family expectations, your priorities for studying, and your need for balance.  Sit down with your calendar now and plan your study strategy for exams.

Interested in Sports Law? The Moot Court Board is sponsoring a Sports Law Moot Court Competition (contingent upon registration confirmation) at Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, during Mardi Gras! If interested please submit a resume, one page letter of interest, and writing sample in a sealed envelope, to the Moot Court Board office NO LATER THAN 3:00pm, Thursday, November 5, 2009. Professor Anita Moorman will be coaching the team and the competition will take place February 10-12, 2010. Please visit http://www.law.tulane.edu/tlsOrgs/mootcourt/index.aspx?id=5048 for more information on the competition or contact Eric Lowe with any questions at ejlowe01@louisville.edu.

The deadline to submit forms to Student Records for spring registration is 4:00 p.m, Thursday, October 29.

The School of Law is not using the wish list option this year for spring registration.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Barbara Thompson in Student Records or Associate Dean Kathy Bean. 

 

Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.   Lack of sleep decreases the ability to study effectively.  When someone is tired, it takes longer to do the same task, concentration is impaired, and memory of material is lessened.  Also, you will need fewer “power” naps if you are getting sufficient sleep at night.

The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 4th from 12pm - 1pm in Room 177. We will be discussing events for next semester and the election of a 1L Representative. Hope to see many of you there!

Join the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund for Lunch on Monday, Nov. 2nd! SALDF will be serving pasta in the Law School Lobby from 11:30am  - 1pm. Meals are $5 for pasta, garlic bread, and a drink! 

Tackle any test anxiety that you have now.  There are a number of strategies for test anxiety.  The sooner you implement them, the better.

• The deeper your understanding of the material, the more likely that you will remember it during an exam.  Study to understand and not just to remember.
• The more “avenues” that you create to retrieve information from long-term memory, the more likely that you will remember it during the exam.  For example: read your outline; create a graphic; drill with flashcards; create hypos to illustrate; do practice questions; discuss with friends; etc.
• Do as many practice questions as possible.  You will be more confident in your approach to the type of exam questions and more confident that you can apply the material to new facts.
• Begin doing relaxation exercises now.  For tips on relaxation exercises, watch the stress management presentation that is available online at http://media.law.louisville.edu/.  
• Get extra sleep during the last week of classes and exams.  You are more likely to remain calm during exams and remember material if you are rested.
• If your test anxiety is especially serious or long-standing, make an appointment with the Counseling Center to discuss additional techniques.  852-6585