[jman220]

FWIW on the "how hard you should work threads,"

I went to a school that was tier 2, but near the very top of tier 2. (I got into a tier 1 school, but the tier 2 school I went to gave me a partial scholarship, and was much cheaper, if I had it all to do over again, I would have gone to a tier 3 or 4 and gotten a full ride, but oh well). My first semester I studied very hard, hours per day after class, read and briefed all the cases, took copious notes, outlined before finals, and made use of the study aids. My second semester I read the cases, briefed some of them, took notes, outlined before finals, used study aids. My third semester, I read some of the cases, briefed none of them, usually took notes, outlined the classes before finals, and used study aids. My fourth semester, I read few cases, but still paid attention in class and usually took notes, outlined before finals, and used study aids. My fifth semester I never opened a textbook, showed up to class but took poor notes, and outlined before finals using the study aids, and by getting outlines from friends. My sixth semester I never opened a textbook, often missed class, never took notes, and outlined solely from study aids and the outlines of my friends.

I graduated with honors, and my GPA my final semester (the one where I rarely showed up to class) was like a 3.8.

The moral of the story: Work like you've never worked before your first semester and first year, after that, you will get better at law school, and will learn what you do and don't need to do to get good grades.

The other moral of the story: The largest part of your law school grade for a course is determined by the amount you buckle down and put work into the exam in the last 2-3 days before the test. I would generally study 12-14 hours a day during finals week, making up for however much I slacked off during the semester.
Also: Getting outlines from people who have already taken the class (you can trade them yours) is clutch.