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The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:09 pm
by bport hopeful
So heres my deal. I feel like I could be doing more.

I mean, I've done all the reading and what not, but I could be doing more briefing/note taking on readings.

I understand everything that we are doing, I just havent been doing the briefs really. Several of my professors have indicated that we will not need to know case names for tests, and that the cases are simply teaching tools.

Assuming that I start doing briefs, will I be screwed from not doing all of them in the first three weeks?

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:16 pm
by DoubleChecks
bport hopeful wrote:So heres my deal. I feel like I could be doing more.

I mean, I've done all the reading and what not, but I could be doing more briefing/note taking on readings.

I understand everything that we are doing, I just havent been doing the briefs really. Several of my professors have indicated that we will not need to know case names for tests, and that the cases are simply teaching tools.

Assuming that I start doing briefs, will I be screwed from not doing all of them in the first three weeks?
you dont have to brief all the cases you read at all...

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:17 pm
by bport hopeful
DoubleChecks wrote:
bport hopeful wrote:So heres my deal. I feel like I could be doing more.

I mean, I've done all the reading and what not, but I could be doing more briefing/note taking on readings.

I understand everything that we are doing, I just havent been doing the briefs really. Several of my professors have indicated that we will not need to know case names for tests, and that the cases are simply teaching tools.

Assuming that I start doing briefs, will I be screwed from not doing all of them in the first three weeks?
you dont have to brief all the cases you read at all...
Yeah, I havent really done any in the second two weeks.

How do you know which ones to do?

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:18 pm
by DoubleChecks
bport hopeful wrote:
DoubleChecks wrote:
bport hopeful wrote:So heres my deal. I feel like I could be doing more.

I mean, I've done all the reading and what not, but I could be doing more briefing/note taking on readings.

I understand everything that we are doing, I just havent been doing the briefs really. Several of my professors have indicated that we will not need to know case names for tests, and that the cases are simply teaching tools.

Assuming that I start doing briefs, will I be screwed from not doing all of them in the first three weeks?
you dont have to brief all the cases you read at all...
Yeah, I havent really done any in the second two weeks.

How do you know which ones to do?
if it helps you, do it. if it doesnt, dont. a lot of ppl who start off briefing quit halfway through the semester. briefing is hardly necessary for your classes.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:21 pm
by bport hopeful
Thats the idea I got from doing it. I could see how it could help some people break the case down and get to the point, but if you are already understand it I didnt see the point.

So I quit after about three days. I felt like a bad person though.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:25 pm
by DoubleChecks
dont...halfway through the semester, i was hard pressed to find a person still briefing. i mean, im sure some still did -- and like i said if it helps you then by all means -- but if it doesnt, it is, once again, by no means necessary.

you seem really worried about that, so iunno what else to say/repeat -- profs wont grade you on your briefs though.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:26 pm
by crazyblink653
briefing is the biggest waste of time. while you shouldn't just be sitting around twiddling your thumbs (if you want to do well, that is), you certainly don't need to brief "just to brief." they will be zero help come exam time. my advice is to wait another week or two and start working on your outline and looking at (though not taking) practice exams to get an idea for what your professor looks for.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:27 pm
by bport hopeful
DoubleChecks wrote:dont...halfway through the semester, i was hard pressed to find a person still briefing. i mean, im sure some still did -- and like i said if it helps you then by all means -- but if it doesnt, it is, once again, by no means necessary.

you seem really worried about that, so iunno what else to say/repeat -- profs wont grade you on your briefs though.
Thanks. Im no longer worried.

I might actually go COD for the first time in a while. Weight off my shoulders.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:34 pm
by downing
I stopped briefing, and it saved my life.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:35 pm
by Cupidity
bport hopeful wrote:So heres my deal. I feel like I could be doing more.

I mean, I've done all the reading and what not, but I could be doing more briefing/note taking on readings.

I understand everything that we are doing, I just havent been doing the briefs really. Several of my professors have indicated that we will not need to know case names for tests, and that the cases are simply teaching tools.

Assuming that I start doing briefs, will I be screwed from not doing all of them in the first three weeks?
Dude, you either get it or you don't. I got drunk and didn't study all semester and finished top 10%. Fuck briefs, fuck reading for that matter.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:35 pm
by bport hopeful
downing wrote:I stopped briefing, and it saved my life.
So you could memorize Restatements?

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:36 pm
by BackToTheOldHouse
Cupidity wrote:
bport hopeful wrote:So heres my deal. I feel like I could be doing more.

I mean, I've done all the reading and what not, but I could be doing more briefing/note taking on readings.

I understand everything that we are doing, I just havent been doing the briefs really. Several of my professors have indicated that we will not need to know case names for tests, and that the cases are simply teaching tools.

Assuming that I start doing briefs, will I be screwed from not doing all of them in the first three weeks?
Dude, you either get it or you don't. I got drunk and didn't study all semester and finished top 10%. Fuck briefs, fuck reading for that matter.
I like this.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:37 pm
by downing
bport hopeful wrote:
downing wrote:I stopped briefing, and it saved my life.
So you could memorize Restatements?
I see you are alluding.
I memorized one, and won't do it again. But I heard there are people who memorize all of them. I wonder if that's even possible.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:39 pm
by bport hopeful
downing wrote:
bport hopeful wrote:
downing wrote:I stopped briefing, and it saved my life.
So you could memorize Restatements?
I see you are alluding.
I memorized one, and won't do it again. But I heard there are people who memorize all of them. I wonder if that's even possible.
Im sure it is. But I cant see myself trying to do that. Id kill myself. Literally

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:40 pm
by HeavenWood
Cupidity wrote:
bport hopeful wrote:So heres my deal. I feel like I could be doing more.

I mean, I've done all the reading and what not, but I could be doing more briefing/note taking on readings.

I understand everything that we are doing, I just havent been doing the briefs really. Several of my professors have indicated that we will not need to know case names for tests, and that the cases are simply teaching tools.

Assuming that I start doing briefs, will I be screwed from not doing all of them in the first three weeks?
Dude, you either get it or you don't. I got drunk and didn't study all semester and finished top 10%. Fuck briefs, fuck reading for that matter.
Lucky you. I've stuck to briefing so far, because taking the time to analyze the cases has helped me understand them. I'll probably be ready to book brief in a couple weeks though.

It seems credited, however, that beyond a (surprisingly low) minimum threshold, law school success is fairly random.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:54 am
by crossarmant
Cupidity wrote:Dude, you either get it or you don't. I got drunk and didn't study all semester and finished top 10%. Fuck briefs, fuck reading for that matter.
Jealous. Though it seems that most everyone "gets" it but there seems to be that little extra that changes someone from being median and being top-ish of class.

I don't feel like briefing is really worth the time. I did it for the first week and then realized that it was kinda useless. I take notes as I read, have a small summary of the cases and the ultimate rule of the case and then add a little to my notes during class. I feel like reading the E&E after the class really helps drill home the message, though I might start reading them before class so I feel better prepared and have a firmer grasp so that the lecture just kind tweaks the overall message.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:19 am
by Richie Tenenbaum
Cupidity wrote:
bport hopeful wrote:So heres my deal. I feel like I could be doing more.

I mean, I've done all the reading and what not, but I could be doing more briefing/note taking on readings.

I understand everything that we are doing, I just havent been doing the briefs really. Several of my professors have indicated that we will not need to know case names for tests, and that the cases are simply teaching tools.

Assuming that I start doing briefs, will I be screwed from not doing all of them in the first three weeks?
Dude, you either get it or you don't. I got drunk and didn't study all semester and finished top 10%. Fuck briefs, fuck reading for that matter.
Law school works differently for people. I studied a ton and did well. If I hadn't studied as much I doubt I would have done as well.

That said, I still usually do briefs. They're useful for some people, but not as useful for me.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:25 am
by beachbum
I'm quickly falling off the briefing wagon. I've found that lawnix.com has really quality briefs for most cases, and the actual act of briefing just doesn't seem worth it anymore. I tend to go through a case and highlight major points/points that seem like they'll be discussed in class (for easy reference when I'm reviewing, or when I'm called on), and I use a canned brief to fill in the rest. Seems to work pretty well so far.

Re: The Kid's a Slacker

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:37 am
by TaipeiMort
They key to law school is figuring out what your professor wants on the exam, then working toward that.

People can be lazy and succeed on law school exams if they just focus in on the testable material and are able to reproduce the style the professor wants.