I'd appreciate some info so I don't flip out.
I'm leaving for Thanksgiving and I'm basically trying to get a game plan. I REALLY do not know what outlining IS. I've been battling myself to figure it out, and I have some others' outlines so I don't need to outline, in some sense. If it means I take a sample outline, look through my notes so I see how it all links up with the sample, and then try to cram as much as the remaining condensed outline, then I "get it."

I have decided it's probably best to prep for exams in reverse order, so I will attack the first exam fresh from mainly uninterrupted studying, and the last ones will involve day-before "refresh" cramming. Do people advocate rotating studying subjects?
I'm also thinking that it might be better for me to read through a supplement in certain cases (Civ Pro as one chief one) than to construct my own outline.
Bottom line is, I have some sample outlines. I have my notes. I have supplements. But what the hell do I do with them? Maybe this sounds retarded but I'm honestly a deer in headlights right now.
Because I'm screwing myself with T-day break, I would also like to know if there's a recommended nutshell or other book which will essentially guarantee you do OK if you internalize it, i.e. a survival manual (not expecting class prizes lol).