Take home final Forum

[engineer]

Ugh, so my property professor is giving us ANOTHER take home final for the second half of the course. Last semester, it was a max of 10 pages double spaced...that's about 2,000 words. I did very well in classes without a word limit, but I got the second to lowest grade in property. The exam last semester was absurdly easy, and the prof told me that he had a hard time grading them because of this.

What's the best method for tackling one of these exams? I have awesome notes (complete transcriptions of the class), I've read the E&E, Gilbert's, and now I'm reading Acing Property. Now, I'd just like to know some suggestions or advice for tackling exams with a word limit.

The method I used last year was simple: I wrote answers to the questions he asked, and ended up with maybe 30 pages. I condensed it down to 10, but I think I may have edited out the wrong information. The approach with which I'm most comfortable is the spew-everything-onto-the-page-and-revise-later. Should I be doing something else??

[270910]

I have awesome notes (complete transcriptions of the class)

[engineer]

I have awesome notes (complete transcriptions of the class)

You're just jealous

It seems like a solid method- pay attention in class, but don't take notes...record the class and highlight what's important after you pay someone to transcribe it (I can't transcribe...it's way too boring). Figure out what the prof has emphasized throughout the semester, and wham bam thank you ma'am, you have an A. Right? RIGHT?

[270910]

I have awesome notes (complete transcriptions of the class)

You're just jealous

It seems like a solid method- pay attention in class, but don't take notes...record the class and highlight what's important after you pay someone to transcribe it (I can't transcribe...it's way too boring). Figure out what the prof has emphasized throughout the semester, and wham bam thank you ma'am, you have an A. Right? RIGHT?

TLS is a place with a lot of misinformation, poor ideas, and under-thought out strategies. I mention that in passing only to add as much emphasis as possible to the following statement: What you wrote is the stupidest fucking idea I have ever seen on this website.

[TheBigMediocre]

Use the UBE method. "Ugly but Effective." Short, concise sentences that allow you to get as much information in the answer as possible.

[mikeytwoshoes]

Ugh, so my property professor is giving us ANOTHER take home final for the second half of the course. Last semester, it was a max of 10 pages double spaced...that's about 2,000 words. I did very well in classes without a word limit, but I got the second to lowest grade in property. The exam last semester was absurdly easy, and the prof told me that he had a hard time grading them because of this.

What's the best method for tackling one of these exams? I have awesome notes (complete transcriptions of the class), I've read the E&E, Gilbert's, and now I'm reading Acing Property. Now, I'd just like to know some suggestions or advice for tackling exams with a word limit.

The method I used last year was simple: I wrote answers to the questions he asked, and ended up with maybe 30 pages. I condensed it down to 10, but I think I may have edited out the wrong information. The approach with which I'm most comfortable is the spew-everything-onto-the-page-and-revise-later. Should I be doing something else??

The point of notes is to jog your memory. Transcribing the class seems like a huge waste of time. I say this as a student with hearing loss who has a court reporter next to him in class. She transcribes the class. I have a transcribed copy of every class (as close to verbatim as is humanly possible) but I almost never look at them. In class I read the "captions" on a laptop. If your notes work for you, though, great.

[engineer]

I have awesome notes (complete transcriptions of the class)

You're just jealous

It seems like a solid method- pay attention in class, but don't take notes...record the class and highlight what's important after you pay someone to transcribe it (I can't transcribe...it's way too boring). Figure out what the prof has emphasized throughout the semester, and wham bam thank you ma'am, you have an A. Right? RIGHT?

TLS is a place with a lot of misinformation, poor ideas, and under-thought out strategies. I mention that in passing only to add as much emphasis as possible to the following statement: What you wrote is the stupidest fucking idea I have ever seen on this website.

Why is it the stupidest fucking idea? It allows you to add nuances to the notes that you may have missed. Moreover, recording classes gives you a chance to sit back, relax, and absorb what the prof is saying. Then you go back and focus on certain elements that you ultimately put into your outline and write, verbatim, on the exam. If you can sound like the professor on the exam, it's probably gonna help. But, this is just my opinion, and I could be wrong.

If anyone else has tried this, let me know how it is.

[mikeytwoshoes]

You're just jealous

It seems like a solid method- pay attention in class, but don't take notes...record the class and highlight what's important after you pay someone to transcribe it (I can't transcribe...it's way too boring). Figure out what the prof has emphasized throughout the semester, and wham bam thank you ma'am, you have an A. Right? RIGHT?

TLS is a place with a lot of misinformation, poor ideas, and under-thought out strategies. I mention that in passing only to add as much emphasis as possible to the following statement: What you wrote is the stupidest fucking idea I have ever seen on this website.

Why is it the stupidest fucking idea? It allows you to add nuances to the notes that you may have missed. Moreover, recording classes gives you a chance to sit back, relax, and absorb what the prof is saying. Then you go back and focus on certain elements that you ultimately put into your outline and write, verbatim, on the exam. If you can sound like the professor on the exam, it's probably gonna help. But, this is just my opinion, and I could be wrong.

If anyone else has tried this, let me know how it is.

Most profs don't allow recording. Therefore, your method is a prima facie violation of the honor code in most cases.

[engineer]

Most profs don't allow recording. Therefore, your method is a prima facie violation of the honor code in most cases.

"prima facie" is an anagram of "mafia price." What are you trying to imply?

[mikeytwoshoes]

Most profs don't allow recording. Therefore, your method is a prima facie violation of the honor code in most cases.

"prima facie" is an anagram of "mafia price." What are you trying to imply?

Record at your own peril. Please tell us about the consequences.

[engineer]

Most profs don't allow recording. Therefore, your method is a prima facie violation of the honor code in most cases.

"prima facie" is an anagram of "mafia price." What are you trying to imply?

Record at your own peril. Please tell us about the consequences.

I only record in classes where the prof explicitly said it's fine. My con law prof doesn't allow it, so I don't record. Either way, I'll post my results at the end of the semester so that the gunner 0Ls can buy their shotgun mics and audio equipment.

[XxSpyKEx]

I have awesome notes (complete transcriptions of the class)

You're just jealous

It seems like a solid method- pay attention in class, but don't take notes...record the class and highlight what's important after you pay someone to transcribe it (I can't transcribe...it's way too boring). Figure out what the prof has emphasized throughout the semester, and wham bam thank you ma'am, you have an A. Right? RIGHT?

TLS is a place with a lot of misinformation, poor ideas, and under-thought out strategies. I mention that in passing only to add as much emphasis as possible to the following statement: What you wrote is the stupidest fucking idea I have ever seen on this website.

You took the words out of my mouth! Engineer, please do come back here to inform us if you are one of the few people that failed a law school class.

[engineer]

You took the words out of my mouth! Engineer, please do come back here to inform us if you are one of the few people that failed a law school class.

Why is there such fervid opposition to this idea? And don't just say "because it's fucking stupid." That doesn't help. If there's NO chance that I'd miss information, what's the problem with constructing a brief (by my own hand) from a transcript of the class?

[XxSpyKEx]

You took the words out of my mouth! Engineer, please do come back here to inform us if you are one of the few people that failed a law school class.

Why is there such fervid opposition to this idea? And don't just say "because it's fucking stupid." That doesn't help.

Because words cannot describe how dumb this is.

This thread =

--ImageRemoved--

[JacobyEllz]

Most profs don't allow recording. Therefore, your method is a prima facie violation of the honor code in most cases.

"prima facie" is an anagram of "mafia price." What are you trying to imply?

Record at your own peril. Please tell us about the consequences.

HAHAHAHA. I absolutely love this avatar.

[TheBigMediocre]

OP: Let the haters hate. I'm not condoning your method but I'm a firm believer in do what works for you personally.

To the people rabidly opposing OP's study methods in this thread?

[Renzo]

You took the words out of my mouth! Engineer, please do come back here to inform us if you are one of the few people that failed a law school class.

Why is there such fervid opposition to this idea? And don't just say "because it's fucking stupid." That doesn't help. If there's NO chance that I'd miss information, what's the problem with constructing a brief (by my own hand) from a transcript of the class?

I go to one of the best schools in the country, with some of the smartest people I have ever met, and about 90% of what gets said in class is garbage.

[engineer]

You took the words out of my mouth! Engineer, please do come back here to inform us if you are one of the few people that failed a law school class.

Why is there such fervid opposition to this idea? And don't just say "because it's fucking stupid." That doesn't help. If there's NO chance that I'd miss information, what's the problem with constructing a brief (by my own hand) from a transcript of the class?

I go to one of the best schools in the country, with some of the smartest people I have ever met, and about 90% of what gets said in class is garbage.

So why do people even bother taking notes? I *also* read the textbook and E&Es, haha. I'm not just some punk who thinks memorizing a transcript will get me the top grade. I put in the effort, just not in taking notes.

[bmontminy]

how much do you pay your transcriber?

extra income FTW

[rando]

Your method may have a ton of wasted time and money involved but I don't see how basically sitting through class twice (or more) will hurt you. OP mentioned he uses other sources to study. Seems to me, there is just some extra work being put in. Maybe needless but I don't think it can hurt.

didn't know that law schools prohibited recording. why?

[MrKappus]

^

Some profs want a free exchange of ideas, and are afraid people will be reticent to voice opinions if it's recorded.

Other profs want the academic freedom to say what they want in class w/o having proof of it floating around.

Still other profs teach at schools where it is against state law to record someone w/o their knowledge.

There may be other reasons.

[mikeytwoshoes]

^

Some profs want a free exchange of ideas, and are afraid people will be reticent to voice opinions if it's recorded.

Other profs want the academic freedom to say what they want in class w/o having proof of it floating around.

Still other profs teach at schools where it is against state law to record someone w/o their knowledge.

There may be other reasons.

E.g. engineer.

[engineer]

^

Some profs want a free exchange of ideas, and are afraid people will be reticent to voice opinions if it's recorded.

Other profs want the academic freedom to say what they want in class w/o having proof of it floating around.

Still other profs teach at schools where it is against state law to record someone w/o their knowledge.

There may be other reasons.

E.g. engineer.

Hey don't knock it until you've tried it- people in india charge literally $3/hour to transcribe this shit. It's amazing, and the quality is pretty decent. For a few c-notes, I have an unabridged transcript that i can search during my take home exam. I just hope I do well this semester...

[rando]

^

Some profs want a free exchange of ideas, and are afraid people will be reticent to voice opinions if it's recorded.

Other profs want the academic freedom to say what they want in class w/o having proof of it floating around.

Still other profs teach at schools where it is against state law to record someone w/o their knowledge.

There may be other reasons.

E.g. engineer.

Hey don't knock it until you've tried it- people in india charge literally $3/hour to transcribe this shit. It's amazing, and the quality is pretty decent. For a few c-notes, I have an unabridged transcript that i can search during my take home exam. I just hope I do well this semester...

You outsourced to india!? I am leaning towards believing you. You should definitely speak to that at OCI. Firms love Indian doc review.

[mikeytwoshoes]

^

Some profs want a free exchange of ideas, and are afraid people will be reticent to voice opinions if it's recorded.

Other profs want the academic freedom to say what they want in class w/o having proof of it floating around.

Still other profs teach at schools where it is against state law to record someone w/o their knowledge.

There may be other reasons.

E.g. engineer.

Hey don't knock it until you've tried it- people in india charge literally $3/hour to transcribe this shit. It's amazing, and the quality is pretty decent. For a few c-notes, I have an unabridged transcript that i can search during my take home exam. I just hope I do well this semester...

I already told you that I have a transcript from every class session. Even if you can search through it, it won't be in the proper context. Having quality notes that you took in class would be 10 times better. I can't take notes in class because I'm watching a transcript on a laptop. The school has people take notes for me. They are 2Ls or 3Ls who had my profs. 1 page of notes=10 pages of transcript.