Hello, I am trying to relax during my summer break right now, but I am still very preoccupied with receiving tips on how to reach that prized top 10% position in my school, so I am on the right track from the get go. Can any of you offer me some advice so I start law school knowing exactly what I need to do to reach my goal?
FWIW, I'd say the main qualities that seperate my friends at the top of the class from those, like me, in the top half to top third of the class are:
1. Being completely neurotic about understanding the material well (really thinking about hypos in which the black letter law doesn't make sense, etc.)
2. Not procrastinating at all
3. Focusing heavily on understanding the black letter law and applying it to various fact patterns
These things might sound obvious, but they're harder to do than they are to say. I wouldn't say the people I know at the top of my class are geniuses but they are very hard workers.
Also I would start outlining from day one and not wait until the end of the semester.
I don't think LEEWS is necessary. The IRAC system is sufficient. Except, LEEWS might help with Torts because the issue spotting questions on torts exams tend to include a ton of parties and the LEEWS system might help you find claims / liabilities that you would have missed otherwise.
Good luck!