This just means you need to be a little bit more terse and focus on the important areas of the problem (something I'm not sure I did consistently; we'll see). The first step should be limiting the time you spend in issue, rule, and conclusion; only at the end should you limit your analysis.prezidentv8 wrote:Tight word limits on two finals FTL.
After Grades - What did we learn? Forum
- mallard
- Posts: 1075
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:45 am
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
- prezidentv8
- Posts: 2823
- Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 5:33 am
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
I re-read one of my answers and it seems like I hit all the main points that I should have. It's just hard to tell how good your answer is when you've got only 2500 words and about a billion issues. There were definitely some strategic omissions made on my part, which is both reassuring (I knew enough to know that there were so many issues I had to omit some!) and concerning (What if I omitted the wrong stuff!? What if I didn't go into detail on the right stuff?!) - and oddly, gets back to my whole point about my "best best guess" from another thread.mallard wrote:This just means you need to be a little bit more terse and focus on the important areas of the problem (something I'm not sure I did consistently; we'll see). The first step should be limiting the time you spend in issue, rule, and conclusion; only at the end should you limit your analysis.prezidentv8 wrote:Tight word limits on two finals FTL.
Let me ask you something though - how do you actually know how to take these tests?!
- mallard
- Posts: 1075
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:45 am
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
I mean, I'll stfu if I get my grades back and they're bad. I'm just aggregating what I've learned from people who have done very well and what my instincts are from doing a lot of PTs.
- prezidentv8
- Posts: 2823
- Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 5:33 am
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
Ah makes sense. I tried to do similar stuff to what you mentioned, but it only applied to my contracts exam. My other two had really tight word limits, so I tended to try and maximize analytical density. Not sure how good I was at that since I tend to be wordy.
- mallard
- Posts: 1075
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:45 am
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
That's the ideal. Usually what I hear is that with an extremely word-limited exam (like one of mine last semester where I think there were as many words in the hypo as we were allowed in the answer), you can hit all of the minor issues, or you can do a really good job on the major ones, and either of those will be a pretty solid exam. But like most things I'm sure this varies by professor.prezidentv8 wrote:Ah makes sense. I tried to do similar stuff to what you mentioned, but it only applied to my contracts exam. My other two had really tight word limits, so I tended to try and maximize analytical density. Not sure how good I was at that since I tend to be wordy.
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
- prezidentv8
- Posts: 2823
- Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 5:33 am
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
I suppose I shall find out in a week or two.mallard wrote:That's the ideal. Usually what I hear is that with an extremely word-limited exam (like one of mine last semester where I think there were as many words in the hypo as we were allowed in the answer), you can hit all of the minor issues, or you can do a really good job on the major ones, and either of those will be a pretty solid exam. But like most things I'm sure this varies by professor.prezidentv8 wrote:Ah makes sense. I tried to do similar stuff to what you mentioned, but it only applied to my contracts exam. My other two had really tight word limits, so I tended to try and maximize analytical density. Not sure how good I was at that since I tend to be wordy.
-
- Posts: 223
- Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:51 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
Sucks that if I had last year's Contracts exam from my professor, I would have rocked the essay. I totally nailed just about every major issue discussed in the sample response and most of the minor ones, too. Then I get to my exam and I spend five minutes in the middle of the test staring at the page blankly. There's almost something cruel about completely changing the structure of the essays after giving two basically identical practice exams during the semester. Save me, multiple choice!
Also, starting to wonder if I should do LEEWS this semester. On one hand, I was fine without it last semester (other than contracts). Also, I'm sort of poor. On the other hand, I'm kind of terrified that my exam performance in the fall was sort of a fluke and mostly the product of me knowing beforehand that exam oriented >>> class oriented.
Also, starting to wonder if I should do LEEWS this semester. On one hand, I was fine without it last semester (other than contracts). Also, I'm sort of poor. On the other hand, I'm kind of terrified that my exam performance in the fall was sort of a fluke and mostly the product of me knowing beforehand that exam oriented >>> class oriented.
- samiseaborn
- Posts: 269
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:55 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
I thought that going into exams, but then the A I got was on a 3000 limit exam. I'm not usually a wordy person, but because it was a free-for all on the other exams, I just kept typing away. I'm interested to see if that's the complaint from the profs on my other exams now.prezidentv8 wrote:
Tight word limits on two finals FTL.
- superserial
- Posts: 376
- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:57 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
- apper123
- Posts: 981
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:50 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
im not sure if you are joking or not (i think you're being serious), but this is what i did and will continue to dosuperserial wrote:keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
although i do outline some classes where i think it makes sense (crim)
- Big Shrimpin
- Posts: 2470
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 12:35 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
+1superserial wrote:keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
- Kohinoor
- Posts: 2641
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:51 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
My strat was:superserial wrote:keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
Read for class
Read for understanding
Do E&E
Read for outline
Make outline
- superserial
- Posts: 376
- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:57 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
I'm actually serious. I used my class notes, supplements and other people's outlines instead of my own.apper123 wrote:im not sure if you are joking or not (i think you're being serious), but this is what i did and will continue to dosuperserial wrote:keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
although i do outline some classes where i think it makes sense (crim)
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:16 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
My strategy was pretty much the exact opposite of this and I'm well above median so far (I have most of my grades back, but not all of them).superserial wrote:keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
I focused on class notes, the casebook readings (not spending too much time on the useless facts of course), and only occasionally turned to supplements.
I almost exclusively used practice exams for hypo practice. I tried using E&Es a bit but found them redundant at best and misleading at worst.
- macattaq
- Posts: 436
- Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:46 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
Are you going to keep the same name when you are a 2L?UVA1L wrote:My strategy was pretty much the exact opposite of this and I'm well above median so far (I have most of my grades back, but not all of them).superserial wrote:keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
I focused on class notes, the casebook readings (not spending too much time on the useless facts of course), and only occasionally turned to supplements.
I almost exclusively used practice exams for hypo practice. I tried using E&Es a bit but found them redundant at best and misleading at worst.
-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:16 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
I won't be around then.macattaq wrote:Are you going to keep the same name when you are a 2L?UVA1L wrote:My strategy was pretty much the exact opposite of this and I'm well above median so far (I have most of my grades back, but not all of them).superserial wrote:keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
I focused on class notes, the casebook readings (not spending too much time on the useless facts of course), and only occasionally turned to supplements.
I almost exclusively used practice exams for hypo practice. I tried using E&Es a bit but found them redundant at best and misleading at worst.
- Cavalier
- Posts: 1994
- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:13 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
Oooooh... another UVA poster on TLS. Well since you have most of your grades you are probably not in my section.UVA1L wrote:My strategy was pretty much the exact opposite of this and I'm well above median so far (I have most of my grades back, but not all of them).superserial wrote:keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
I focused on class notes, the casebook readings (not spending too much time on the useless facts of course), and only occasionally turned to supplements.
I almost exclusively used practice exams for hypo practice. I tried using E&Es a bit but found them redundant at best and misleading at worst.
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
- apper123
- Posts: 981
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:50 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
Or maybe they just withheld all your grades because they were too hot to handle.Cavalier wrote:Oooooh... another UVA poster on TLS. Well since you have most of your grades you are probably not in my section.UVA1L wrote:My strategy was pretty much the exact opposite of this and I'm well above median so far (I have most of my grades back, but not all of them).superserial wrote:keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
I focused on class notes, the casebook readings (not spending too much time on the useless facts of course), and only occasionally turned to supplements.
I almost exclusively used practice exams for hypo practice. I tried using E&Es a bit but found them redundant at best and misleading at worst.
- vanwinkle
- Posts: 8953
- Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 3:02 am
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
In my experience it's the process of making an outline that's the most useful. As you try to synthesize and condense the law you've studied into a compact and accurate form, you learn more and more about it. I didn't use my outlines very much on finals, but that's because I'd learned so much from actually writing them that I didn't need to touch them most of the time.superserial wrote:I'm actually serious. I used my class notes, supplements and other people's outlines instead of my own.apper123 wrote:im not sure if you are joking or not (i think you're being serious), but this is what i did and will continue to dosuperserial wrote:keep not preparing for class (learn the BLL that isn't being taught in class), keep using the supplements, don't outline.
although i do outline some classes where i think it makes sense (crim)
-
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:33 pm
- Cavalier
- Posts: 1994
- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:13 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
I agree with this. I think the outline itself, as a tool to use during exams, has little value. Time spent flipping through the outline is time that you could be using to write your answer and earn points. However, the process of turning an entire semester's worth of lecture and notes into a 20-30 page document that has just about everything that could possibly be necessary on an exam is valuable.In my experience it's the process of making an outline that's the most useful. As you try to synthesize and condense the law you've studied into a compact and accurate form, you learn more and more about it. I didn't use my outlines very much on finals, but that's because I'd learned so much from actually writing them that I didn't need to touch them most of the time.
People learn in different ways though. I'm sure there are people who can read through another person's outline several times and have an understanding of the course equal to someone who spends hours creating an outline.
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- superserial
- Posts: 376
- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:57 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
I have a pretty good memory, so I didn't think there was a ton I could gain from making an outline. I also started kind of late, so I decided it wouldn't be the most effective way of studying at that point. I might outline this semester and see if it makes a difference in my understanding of the law.Cavalier wrote:I agree with this. I think the outline itself, as a tool to use during exams, has little value. Time spent flipping through the outline is time that you could be using to write your answer and earn points. However, the process of turning an entire semester's worth of lecture and notes into a 20-30 page document that has just about everything that could possibly be necessary on an exam is valuable.In my experience it's the process of making an outline that's the most useful. As you try to synthesize and condense the law you've studied into a compact and accurate form, you learn more and more about it. I didn't use my outlines very much on finals, but that's because I'd learned so much from actually writing them that I didn't need to touch them most of the time.
People learn in different ways though. I'm sure there are people who can read through another person's outline several times and have an understanding of the course equal to someone who spends hours creating an outline.
- apper123
- Posts: 981
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:50 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
wee class rank is up
first semester is now complete
first semester is now complete
- Cavalier
- Posts: 1994
- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:13 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
Well, if you start late than outlining is probably not the way to go. Many people I know were still working on their outlines during finals period. IMO, if it's during finals period and you don't have an outline, you are much better off using another person's outline and doing practice tests in the little time you have left than working on finishing an outline.I have a pretty good memory, so I didn't think there was a ton I could gain from making an outline. I also started kind of late, so I decided it wouldn't be the most effective way of studying at that point. I might outline this semester and see if it makes a difference in my understanding of the law.
- Cavalier
- Posts: 1994
- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:13 pm
Re: After Grades - What did we learn?
After all your posts about grades I was expecting you to post your rank. It must not have been a single digit or else you would have posted it, I'm guessing.apper123 wrote:wee class rank is up
first semester is now complete
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login