This is another post that is being inspired by current events. So many classmates are not keeping up with changes in the syllabus that its painful to watch. One student didn't know a midterm was changed to later in the week, another student did not know that a midterm was created after the syllabus was created, and another student just emailed me asking for information on a makeup class tomorrow. A student actually posted in the Facebook group asking about what we have this week (two networking events, two dress up days, an in class midterm, and a take home essay).
How could all of these students be saved from stressing out on what they don't know? CHECK YOUR EMAIL ALWAYS AND USE YOUR COMPUTER'S (OR PHONE'S) CALENDAR! All of these events were communicated to us by email well in advance.
You think this is probably only happening at my school, but you will be amazed at how many students do not stay on top of things because they do not read their emails regularly.
A lot of people prefer planners, but I think utilizing the calendar on your computer is a much better option. Why? For staters, you can easily put dates in without having to worry about space. You can also easily edit the events if the events have been moved or cancelled. Also, you are more likely to be around your laptop or phone than you are planner. It is less of a hassle to read your email or hear something from your professor and immediately make a date on your computer than it is to pull out your planner and try to fit all of the information into a tiny space.
Law school is a step before the real world and we are being judged by professors, classmates, and outside professionals. Last thing you want any of them to think of you is that you are not organized. You can easily stay on top of things and know when something is or when something has been changed just by checking your email and immediately making a note in either your electronic calendar or planner.
As a rule of thumb, I always check my email whenever I check social media. A lot of information you will receive in law school is time sensitive (for example, limited seating for a speech or a volunteer opportunity) so it is better to see it when it first arrives than it is to see it hours or days later.