1. Take care of yourself. You are a human being. You need breaks, exercise, a healthy diet and companionship, especially during final exams. The campus has many free venues for recreational sports and exercise. They include Camp Randall Sports Center, a.k.a. The Shell, at 1430 Monroe Street (262-4756); the Natatorium, a.k.a. The Nat, at 2000 Observatory Drive (262-3742); Nielsen Tennis Stadium at 1000 Highland Ave (262-0410); and the Southeast Recreational Facility, a.k.a. SERF, at SERF715 West Dayton St. (262-8244). There are sidewalks, restaurants, coffee shops and other diversions just outside of the Law School doors. Living on coffee and vending machine products will negatively affect your productivity. (Mom was right). 2. Use the available free health and counseling services, if necessary. University Health Services (UHS) at 1552 University Ave., provides outpatient primary medical care. The phone number is 265-5600. Counseling & Consultation Services at 115 N. Orchard Street., helps students who are experiencing personal stress, career concerns, family or interpersonal conflict, general anxiety, depression or other psychological concerns. The daytime phone number is also 265-5600. There is an after-hours crisis response service at 265-6565. More information about University Health Services is at www.uhs.wisc.edu. In addition, the State Bar of Wisconsin offers a 24 hour confidential hotline for law students (as well as licensed attorneys) having mental health, emotional health, substance abuse or other crises. The number is 800-543-2625. The service is known as WisLAP (Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program). 3. Call me if you have an emergency affecting your taking the exam on time. You may need an exam re-scheduled due to an emergency, such as incapacitating illness, injury, family emergency or extreme weather problem. If so, call my office telephone (262-8557) before your exam begins. I will get back to you about re-scheduling. The answering machine takes messages 24/7. I may not get back to you before the exam begins, but do not worry. Your job is done when you have left a message about a valid emergency before the exam begins. Special situations requiring verification. Food poisoning. If you think that you have food poisoning, see a doctor and be prepared to give me verification that you did so. Death in family. If you ask me to re-schedule an exam due to a death in the family, you must provide the name and location. I am sorry about this requirement, but it is necessary. 4. Don't obsess on your grades. Grades are a factor in starting your legal career after graduation. They are not the only factor and you will have much more control over other factors such as courses you choose, clinical experiences you choose and the effort that you put into finding a first legal job that's right for you. Please contact me with questions or other issues. Good luck with your exams. Ruth
Submitted by UW Law School Newsletter Admin on December 7, 2006
This article appears in the categories: Academic Support
