Exam Anxiety? Try the CALI Exercises for Relief

By Carol Watson

As exams approach, everyone’s anxiety seems to increase. If you’d like to test your knowledge and reassure yourself, try the CALI exercises. The CALI exercises are interactive computer exercises available via the web at: http://www2.cali.org/

To access CALI exercises, you’ll first need to register for My CALI by clicking on the link that says “Not a registered user yet? Click here!” You’ll need to provide our School Authorization Code which was provided in the body of the email message containing the link to this edition of Amicus Briefs. If you've already deleted the message stop by the Reference Desk to obtain the code.

CALI lessons are available in many subject areas. The following is a description of some of the exercises that might be relevant for courses offered this semester:

CIVIL PROCEDURE: Jurisdiction and Venue, Jurisdiction Over the Person, Analysis of a Diversity Case, Demurrers and Judgments, Joinder of Claims and Parties, Equitable Remedies, Summary Judgment.

COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS: CANINE: The Complete Article Nine, Documents of Title Under Article 7 of the UCC, The Law of Equipment Leasing: Article 2A of the UCC, Perfecting a Security Interest, UCC Remedies, Understanding Fixtures: Section 9-334 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

CONTRACTS: Acceptance, Consideration: The Basics of Consideration and the Bargain Theory, Contract Formation, Parol Evidence Rule, The Pre-Existing Duty Rule.

CORPORATIONS: Corporate Acquisitions, The Business Judgment Rule, Business Financing and the Federal Securities Laws, Agency, Issuance of Shares, Mechanics of Incorporation and Defective Incorporation, Piercing the Corporate Veil.

EVIDENCE: Best Evidence Rule, Character Evidence under Federal Evidence, Hearsay, Expert and Opinion Evidence, Impeachment and Rehabilitation of Witnesses.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: A Copyright Primer, Abandonment, The Adaptation Right, Collective Marks and Certification Marks, Fundamentals of Fair Use, Trademark Basics.

LEGAL PROFESSION: Code of Professional Responsibility and Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Bases for Attorney Discipline, Client or Not?

PROPERTY: Adverse Possession, Rule Against Perpetuities, Basic Future Interests, Distinction Between Real Property and Personal Property.

TORTS: Negligence, Assumption of Risk, Battery Basics, Causation in Fact, Contributory Negligence and Last Clear Chance, Strict Liability.

Puzzles Fight Stress

by Sharon Bradley

At any given point in time a law student is experiencing stress. You could be experiencing Acute, Episodic Acute, or Chronic

Acute stress has an immediate onset, instantly throwing the body into crisis-control mode. In an acutely stressful situation, such as a minor traffic accident, a looming deadline at work, or an argument with your spouse or loved one, you are assessing the stressor and developing the best strategy for solving the problem.

The second type of stress is episodic acute. An example of this form of stress includes ongoing worry about finances, work, etc. It also encompasses “Type A” behavior, which is characterized by competitive drive, anger or impatience with others, and the need to attain personal perfection in all tasks.

The third type of stress is chronic, which simply means it’s an ongoing, unrelenting form of stress. Examples of situations that contribute to chronic stress are job and family pressures, sleep deprivation, and strained roles at work or at home. Chronic stress, because it is an unrelenting form of stress, poses the most serious risk to your health and should be addressed immediately.

You probably can't avoid stress. By definition law school is meant to be stressful. But you do have to deal with it. First that means taking care of yourself. You know the drill: wash your hands often (to prevent illness), eat well (not fast food!,) get plenty of rest, and take your vitamins. Taking short mental breaks also helps. A little light reading, playing a game, or putting together a puzzle can help. During finals you'll find puzzles or other games on both the Circulation and Reference desks. Please feel free to add a piece or two.

Expanded Hours at Student Learning Center

In cooperation with the Law School, the SLC will also offer expanded hours that extend the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday hours for Dec. 2, 3, and 4 to 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. This represents earlier openings on that Saturday and Sunday, and later closings on Friday and Saturday, to better meet the needs of law students.

The Law Library, of course, will be open until 1:00am through the exam period.