Student Advice

Write-on: Yes it’s Hard. Yes it’s Worth it

Write-on

When finals were approaching during my first-year spring semester, I remember considering whether to try to get a spot on law review. I understood that it was a great credential, but I didn’t quite understand what it meant to be part of the law review. Looking back now as a 2L, I am so glad I gave it a shot. Being part of the Temple Law Review family has been one of the most important parts of my second year – I have learned so much about the law, about working on a team, and about myself.

Students are given a large packet of information and asked to write a scholarly paper about the materials. The end product is a written case note, which, upon submission, is graded anonymously by current law review staff editors. Case notes are graded on a combination of writing quality, thoroughness of the argument, and how well a student uses the sources of the write-on packet, among other factors. It is then considered with other information, including grades and a statement of interest, to select the next batch of law review staff editors. These staff editors work both to produce a high quality, polished law journal, and to write their own piece of legal scholarship about a topic they choose.

“Nearing the end of the half marathon, and with the finish line in sight … full marathon runners were splitting off course to complete an additional 13.1 miles. Those marathon runners, the ones who pass the finish line to complete another half marathon, are those who decide to complete the write-on process after spring finals.”

Law review write-on was probably one of the more difficult things I did as a 1L. I don’t think I truly realized how difficult it was until I finished it. When preparing for write-on, I met with a professor/mentor, and he gave me a great analogy for the competition. He explained how he once trained for a half marathon. The morning of the run, he showed up to the Ben Franklin Parkway and took off. The run was difficult, and there were moments where he almost didn’t make it, but his training paid off. Nearing the end of the half marathon, and with the finish line in sight, he noticed that the full marathon runners were splitting off course to complete an additional 13.1 miles. He proudly (and rightfully so!) finished his half-marathon, but in his opinion, those marathon runners, the ones who pass the finish line to complete another half marathon, are those who decide to complete the write-on process after spring finals.

If you’re thinking of participating in write-on, here are some tips for how to keep yourself running. You may feel that after four exams, it is impossible to work on write-on for 10 hours a day, like you did during the finals period. You may feel like it is barely possible to work on it for 5 hours a day. If you feel like that, it’s ok. Put in as much as you can. I worked for about 5 hours a day and I finished. Just like a marathon, the key is to try and finish. Also, taking breaks is critically important.

The solo nature of the write-on competition can be tough, especially if you like to talk things out with people like I do. It can feel isolating and exhausting. So plan things that make you happy – I took my reading to the beach one day, and I scheduled a few dinners with friends who I hadn’t seen in a while. I also did a ton of yoga.

Also, location is critical. If you are going to write-on at the law library, don’t get freaked out when you see other people who seem like they are further along than you. Remember that no one really knows what they are doing. I have friends who successfully wrote on who started writing much earlier than me and much later than me. Lastly, if you can get yourself more acquainted with the Bluebook, do it. It’ll help.

“Law review write-on was probably one of the more difficult things I did as a 1L. I don’t think I truly realized how difficult it was until I finished it.”

Here is why I believe in all of you and your ability to make it to the finish line: First, you are well-trained. For the majority of the nine months leading up to write-on, you’ve been pushing yourself. You have spent early mornings and late nights reviewing cases for classes. You have written three pieces of writing that are probably actually decent. You have prepared for and taken SEVEN exams. You can explain Erie in your sleep. Your brain is super huge by now.

Second, you will have the next three months off. You probably haven’t seen as much of your partner, parents, friends, or dog as you would have liked to this year. You’ve probably been dreaming of sleeping for a week straight. And if you are like me, you probably have a huge Netflix queue just waiting to be watched. Over the summer, you will work hard at your summer job, but it’s a different kind of working hard than during your 1L year. You will be able to spend lazy Saturdays in pajamas eating pancakes and watching House of Cards. All of that will still be there in one week. And it’ll be even more glorious to enjoy it knowing that you finished write-on.

Questions about this post? Drop us a line at lawcomm@temple.edu.