How To Deal With Difficult Professors In Law School

The law school classroom can be a stressful place. Most professors use the infamous “cold call” to engage their students in a discussion via the Socratic Method. (Learn more about what the Socratic Method is here!) In addition to being put on the spot, you’ll also have to contend with competitive peers. Add a particularly difficult professor into the mix, and going to class can feel like going to battle. To help you survive, we’ve put together this list of tips for how to deal with difficult professors.

How To Deal With Difficult Professors In Law School

1. Have the Right Mindset

Every law student has a cold call horror story. The key to surviving a bad cold call? No one will remember it after the fact! This is especially true in classes where the professor is notoriously difficult–each of your classmates is worried about their own performance and not focused on your cold call. If you have the urge to retaliate after your professor critiques your response, don’t. You’re better off keeping your calm and resolving to do better next time.

Check out these additional tips on how to survive the Socratic Method.

2. Focus on What You Can Control

Your professors will expect you to be prepared for each and every class. However, if you find that you’re sacrificing your sleep to stay on top of your reading assignments for class, you may need to reevaluate your study habits. If you’ve been creating detailed case briefs for each of your cases, consider book briefing instead. If you’re having trouble understanding the material, consider joining a study group or working with a tutor.

3. Pay Attention to Your Professor’s Patterns

One way to feel more confident in class is to notice your professor’s patterns. Is your professor moving alphabetically through his call list? Is he a stickler for knowing details about the facts in your cases? Once you can identify any patterns, you can tailor your class preparation to your professor. This will give you a boost of confidence and help you deal with a difficult professor.

4. Attend Office Hours

Another way to deal with a difficult professor is to speak with them directly and address your concerns. You can attend office hours, or ask your professor for a one-on-one appointment. If you choose this option, you may want to write down what you want to say beforehand to feel more confident during the actual meeting. Check out these strategies for how to make the most of professor office hours!

It’s never fun to deal with a difficult professor. However, if you handle it the right way, you may become a better student from the experience.

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How To Deal With Difficult Professors In Law School