1L Exam Prep and Motivation Thread Forum

[alicrimson]

Another 1L checking in. I can't believe we only have another month to prep. I must say, I thought I'd be more stressed at this point; however, I'm pleasantly not. I haven't done a ton. I decided to merge my notes/thoughts with an outline given to me by an older student. I know most on TLS don't like this approach but I think the time spent condensing and working through practice tests is more help to me than worrying about how far to indent or what shape bullets I want. We shall see. I've only missed one or two classes worth of reading for the semester but have made those up. Also, have about finished the contracts E&E and have taken a contracts practice exam, which my prof has so kindly agreed to mark up with comments. The rough draft of the memo was due last Thursday and the final one is due the 14th. This month will be key. I intend on condensing the outlines, making checklists, and reading E&Es for the next two weeks. After that, practice tests. Many of them.

[dabomb75]

When do most of your guys' finals start? I feel like I'm a bit behind where I should be right now compared to some of the other posts in this thread, but then again my first final is on Dec. 11th and spread out until a few days before Christmas, which I think is later than almost everyone else.

Anyways, game plan for the next 2 weeks is to finish up all the readings through the entire semester, while updating the outlines along the way for those sections.

Then by Nov. ~20th or so start taking practice tests, doing at least 5x tests/class.

[merc280]

When do most of your guys' finals start? I feel like I'm a bit behind where I should be right now compared to some of the other posts in this thread, but then again my first final is on Dec. 11th and spread out until a few days before Christmas, which I think is later than almost everyone else.

Anyways, game plan for the next 2 weeks is to finish up all the readings through the entire semester, while updating the outlines along the way for those sections.

Then by Nov. ~20th or so start taking practice tests, doing at least 5x tests/class.

Ive got a final on the 29th of Nov, and thats still not enough to kick start me into studying... This will probably not end well for me.

[theavrock]

Ours start the 13th and go until the 23rd. Kind of sucks to be that close to the holiday, but we have at least 2 days in between each final to study.

Should be fun...

[zzzwww]

I just screwed up my mid-term. Although it doesn't count in final, it hurts!

[merc280]

I just screwed up my mid-term. Although it doesn't count in final, it hurts!

i didnt do too well on my midterms, just because i didnt study much for it. At least I know I did poorly not studying and it can only get better.

[istara]

Civ Pro outline is up to date. I feel so accomplished that now I am entirely too lazy to edit my memo. Maybe another beer will get me back into gear..

Finals here start Dec 5th.

[alicrimson]

When do most of your guys' finals start? I feel like I'm a bit behind where I should be right now compared to some of the other posts in this thread, but then again my first final is on Dec. 11th and spread out until a few days before Christmas, which I think is later than almost everyone else.

Anyways, game plan for the next 2 weeks is to finish up all the readings through the entire semester, while updating the outlines along the way for those sections.

Then by Nov. ~20th or so start taking practice tests, doing at least 5x tests/class.

Mine start December 6 and go to 16. Its a long span but the two, sometimes three, full days between each test should help break things up a bit.

[SilverE2]

My first final is on a Tuesday, my second the following Monday, and my third that Thursday. Love the huge gaps!

[ilovesf]

i've got finals dec 1,7,14.. nice even spread between them

[SilverE2]

i've got finals dec 1,7,14.. nice even spread between them

I thought I had it good but that's awesome.

[starlight007]

As of today, I have 8 classes left before finals. I'm noticing that class has become optional now as the library has become increasingly fuller, and my sweet spot that I have hogged since August is sometimes occupied to my disbelief.

For example, I'm in the library when i should be in class :/

Good luck all

[jess]

.

[rocon7383]

Is the benefit of taking practice exams the process of taking them or do you need model answers to get the benefit?

You need model answers or you are wasting your time. There are plenty of places on the net or from other students to get past exams with model answers. You want to do the hypo under timed conditions and then compare your answer to the model answer.

Yeah i kinda figured that, but all of my professor's past exams dont have model answers... sooooo, what the #*$# do I do about that?

[adonai]

Is the benefit of taking practice exams the process of taking them or do you need model answers to get the benefit?

You need model answers or you are wasting your time. There are plenty of places on the net or from other students to get past exams with model answers. You want to do the hypo under timed conditions and then compare your answer to the model answer.

Yeah i kinda figured that, but all of my professor's past exams dont have model answers... sooooo, what the #*$# do I do about that?

You write up your answer and present both a hard copy of your answer and the exam to your prof. Ask if he/she will be willing to review it for you first though. Make a separate appointment. I think some profs get annoyed if you just go up to them and say hey heres my test review it.

[rocon7383]

Is the benefit of taking practice exams the process of taking them or do you need model answers to get the benefit?

You need model answers or you are wasting your time. There are plenty of places on the net or from other students to get past exams with model answers. You want to do the hypo under timed conditions and then compare your answer to the model answer.

Yeah i kinda figured that, but all of my professor's past exams dont have model answers... sooooo, what the #*$# do I do about that?

You write up your answer and present both a hard copy of your answer and the exam to your prof. Ask if he/she will be willing to review it for you first though. Make a separate appointment. I think some profs get annoyed if you just go up to them and say hey heres my test review it.

thanks. One more question for those willing to give feedback. I've slipped a little in my civ pro outlining. A 2L who had the same prof. last year sent me her huge outline, as well as a skeleton outline. I'm thinking about using a big chunk of her larger outline and then cutting it down in my own way, in the interest of time. Does any one think this is REALLY harmful? I've gone through and made sure all of her info is correct and am inserting things here and there, but this seems like a major time save so i can focus on doing practice questions and outlining for all other classes. Thought?

[JusticeHarlan]

I have a multiple choice property exam this semester, no practice tests for it. Have two whole practice tests for K's and 1 for Con Law. What's the typical course of action where there a only a few, or zero, practice tests for a given course?

Had this last year. 6 of us each came up with 5+ questions, someone compiled them, we did them on our own then went through it, each person explaining their questions. Wasn't perfectly like the real exam, but remarkably close, when you considered it as a whole.

[dabomb75]

Is the benefit of taking practice exams the process of taking them or do you need model answers to get the benefit?

You need model answers or you are wasting your time. There are plenty of places on the net or from other students to get past exams with model answers. You want to do the hypo under timed conditions and then compare your answer to the model answer.

Yeah i kinda figured that, but all of my professor's past exams dont have model answers... sooooo, what the #*$# do I do about that?

Use tests from other professors that have model answers? Does your school not have an online exam bank or an exam bank in the library or something for other professors?

That's my plan anyways. As long as you're able to recognize what stuff your teacher cares and won't care about in these other exams, it'll still give you the practice for issue spotting.

I have a professor that doesn't release any of his practice exams so I'm hoping this will work well enough

[Lasers]

thanks. One more question for those willing to give feedback. I've slipped a little in my civ pro outlining. A 2L who had the same prof. last year sent me her huge outline, as well as a skeleton outline. I'm thinking about using a big chunk of her larger outline and then cutting it down in my own way, in the interest of time. Does any one think this is REALLY harmful? I've gone through and made sure all of her info is correct and am inserting things here and there, but this seems like a major time save so i can focus on doing practice questions and outlining for all other classes. Thought?

i''m doing this now and i really don't care what anyone says, whether it be good or bad. my only advice is make sure that person did well and the outline is 100% correct and be sure to add any new things your professor may have added/changed from the year prior.

i changed some things but for the most part i've just simply memorized their outline. people say the process of making an outline is where you learn the material, and i can see that it is valid for many people, but it isn't necessary. i have no problem committing things to memory if i want to; i just sit down, and memorize the outlines cold. i know the law, and i know the things brought up in class. i've saved so much time that way (took me about 2-3 full days to go through and memorize an outline) and i just need to focus on applying it on an exam. if i don't do well on exams, it won't be because of the outline, that's for sure.

[Seminole_305]

Got my midterm grade today and found out I finished third, one point behind the people tied for #1.

Nice. Now its time to finish this open memo!

[ilovesf]

Got my midterm grade today and found out I finished third, one point behind the people tied for #1.

Nice. Now its time to finish this open memo!

congrats!

[adonai]

thanks. One more question for those willing to give feedback. I've slipped a little in my civ pro outlining. A 2L who had the same prof. last year sent me her huge outline, as well as a skeleton outline. I'm thinking about using a big chunk of her larger outline and then cutting it down in my own way, in the interest of time. Does any one think this is REALLY harmful? I've gone through and made sure all of her info is correct and am inserting things here and there, but this seems like a major time save so i can focus on doing practice questions and outlining for all other classes. Thought?

This is kind of what I'm doing for Ks, which I found hard to outline due to my prof's way of teaching. I used the skeleton of an old outline and essentially filled it in, erased altered/uncovered topics, and molded it to make it my own. The old outline serves as a guide, but I supplement and "fix" it, kind of like fixing up a used car type thing. Seems to strike the perfect balance of saving time and learning by doing.

[Naked Dude]

Got my midterm grade today and found out I finished third, one point behind the people tied for #1.

Nice. Now its time to finish this open memo!

Yeah. I'm pretty astounded I did so well on my midterm (I was actually feeling pretty shitty about the memo). Was intimidated by the active participants in class, never briefed beyond the first couple of weeks, never highlighted or wrote in the book, only cracked an E&E/hornbook when I didn't understand something, and outlined the day before. It just goes to show that you have trust yourself above all else and not be intimidated by everyone else's strategies. I thought I was being lazy for not doing more work, but it turns out it was just right. Know thyself I suppose.

[northwood]

late to the party, checking in.

[northwood]

first final isnt until dec 12, last one is the 22nd...