1L Exam Prep and Motivation Thread Forum

[johansantana21]

Just finished my first exam! Contracts...multiple choice wasn't too bad. I think the worst part is knowing that even if you did well, if everyone else did slightly better you're fucked. Thought I did well on the essay though - tried to spew as much on the paper as possible. I did find myself pretty much regurgitating my outline interposed with the fact pattern. Hopefully the high word count will help me.

High word count? The Hillman exam? Or Summers?

Uh...Eisenberg?

I just meant that I know a lot of people on TLS think a high word count may help out for grading purposes. I just kinda went with the shotgun approach.

Oh, I had the Hillman one which had a strict word limit.

Grats on getting the first exam done...I messed up pretty bad on the multiple choice, and I'm sure I missed some huge issues on the essay...

[071816]

I don't understand why so many people on TLS equate extremely high word counts with good performance on exams. If you just spew everything from your outline onto the exam when lots of it probably isn't relevant, your professor is probably going to wonder what the hell you were thinking more than anything else. The focus should be more on substance and trying to make the highest number of effective arguments possible with regards to as many relevant issues as possible. By itself, word count doesn't really seem to mean much.

[orderofthings]

Just finished my first exam! Contracts...multiple choice wasn't too bad. I think the worst part is knowing that even if you did well, if everyone else did slightly better you're fucked. Thought I did well on the essay though - tried to spew as much on the paper as possible. I did find myself pretty much regurgitating my outline interposed with the fact pattern. Hopefully the high word count will help me.

High word count? The Hillman exam? Or Summers?

Uh...Eisenberg?

I just meant that I know a lot of people on TLS think a high word count may help out for grading purposes. I just kinda went with the shotgun approach.

Oh, I had the Hillman one which had a strict word limit.

Grats on getting the first exam done...I messed up pretty bad on the multiple choice, and I'm sure I missed some huge issues on the essay...

Multiple choice is always tricky for everyone. And a word limit forces you to focus on issues at the exclusion of others, I'm sure Hillman knows that.

[orderofthings]

I don't understand why so many people on TLS equate extremely high word counts with good performance on exams. If you just spew everything from your outline onto the exam when lots of it probably isn't relevant, your professor is probably going to wonder what the hell you were thinking more than anything else. The focus should be more on substance and trying to make the highest number of effective arguments possible with regards to as many relevant issues as possible. By itself, word count doesn't really seem to mean much.

Fair enough. I mean obviously I'm hoping for both. It's just tough when it's the professor's first and only time teaching contracts so has no past exams/model answers. I'm not sure if he would rather us touch on as many issues as possible or just zero in on a few.

Edit: And I think I kept it pretty relevant to the question...it's not like I brought up liquidated damages or anything of the like when that issue wasn't implicated by the question. I'll get back to everyone in January with the success of my approach.

[crossarmant]

Just finished my Torts final. I feel oddly confident (That'll switch over to extreme despair and panic eventually). I feel like while I got it, my presentation of some Alt. Liability and Substantial Factor was a little muddy.

Also, earplugs are godsend. It kinda killed all the excess noise and prevented me from getting an inferiority complex and freaking out. That and having the Skyrim theme play in my head on repeat made me feel like a badass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw4x0Fkx4QY

[Lasers]

i am not ready for my civpro test.

ah well. we'll see what happens.

[Dany]

Also, earplugs are godsend. It kinda killed all the excess noise and prevented me from getting an inferiority complex and freaking out. That and having the Skyrim theme play in my head on repeat made me feel like a badass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw4x0Fkx4QY

I'm SO glad I can listen to music during my exams. I could not listen to other people being panicky and typing for 3 hours.

[FeelTheHeat]

Also, earplugs are godsend. It kinda killed all the excess noise and prevented me from getting an inferiority complex and freaking out. That and having the Skyrim theme play in my head on repeat made me feel like a badass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw4x0Fkx4QY

I'm SO glad I can listen to music during my exams. I could not listen to other people being panicky and typing for 3 hours.

I WISH I could listen to music...earplugs will have to do.

Really feel like I know the BLL for torts cold. Working on practice exams, and the only thing I need to improve on is my lawyer-like analysis and maybe spotting issues faster...any advice? I have LEEWS and GTM on hand. Don't remember the specifics from them but the general overall idea...if I can make that next step in finding forks in the facts/law over the next two days I think I'll be in great shape.

[kalvano]

I would listen to "The Ecstasy of Gold" all throughout the exam and type like 13,789 words.

[Dany]

I need to figure out a good 3-hour playlist for my Elements exam. I'll get on that after civ pro.

[$peppercorn]

I would listen to "The Ecstasy of Gold" all throughout the exam and type like 13,789 words.

Excellent choice

[Eugenie Danglars]

We can't have music, but if we didn't, I have all Josh Groban. That man coaxes the words from me like nobody else.

[Seminole_305]

So jealous that you guys can listen to music during a final. I tried using ear plugs but found I work better without them despite the random odd noises. I suspect that might be because I study in a loud and random environment that makes me focus in on what I am doing.

Question: I am scared that I might have done good because I walked out of each final feeling like I didn't fail (although I am sure I won't book any class but definitely will compete for Bs and As). The consensus on campus seems to be that I should be walking out like I failed. I am not one to really stress over things that I can't control plus I know I studied (smart not hard) and I can write well enough to get my point across.

Ugh.

[Eugenie Danglars]

So jealous that you guys can listen to music during a final. I tried using ear plugs but found I work better without them despite the random odd noises. I suspect that might be because I study in a loud and random environment that makes me focus in on what I am doing.

Question: I am scared that I might have done good because I walked out of each final feeling like I didn't fail (although I am sure I won't book any class but definitely will compete for Bs and As). The consensus on campus seems to be that I should be walking out like I failed. I am not one to really stress over things that I can't control plus I know I studied (smart not hard) and I can write well enough to get my point across.

Ugh.

Here's how I do it:

Will stressing help?--->yes--->really??
|
|
V
no-->Don't stress.

Hakuna matata that shit.

[Dany]

So far I have two soundtracks and a concerto in the playlist for sure. Not sure what else will make it in!

This is more fun to think about than the FRCP.

[kalvano]

Beethoven is supposed to make you smarter for a bit.

[crossarmant]

Best music to work to: Explosions in the Sky discography, just let it roll through every last album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzIK5FaC ... re=related

So jealous that you guys can listen to music during a final. I tried using ear plugs but found I work better without them despite the random odd noises. I suspect that might be because I study in a loud and random environment that makes me focus in on what I am doing.

Hmmm... Yeah, a good number of people didn't bring earplugs to my exam. I find that if I don't have them (I didn't on my midterm), I begin to get self conscious and start to doubt myself with the sound of everyone else fervently clicking and clacking away.

Question: I am scared that I might have done good because I walked out of each final feeling like I didn't fail (although I am sure I won't book any class but definitely will compete for Bs and As). The consensus on campus seems to be that I should be walking out like I failed. I am not one to really stress over things that I can't control plus I know I studied (smart not hard) and I can write well enough to get my point across.

Ugh.

It may just be your classmates feel that they don't know the material, or if they do, they're unsure of how to really attack a huge essay exam like that. I know people were streaming out of our 3 hour exam half way through. I was so baffled. I'm guessing they did a single answer and didn't do the whole GTM "Forks" analysis.

[$peppercorn]

Best music to work to: Explosions in the Sky discography, just let it roll through every last album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzIK5FaC ... re=related

So jealous that you guys can listen to music during a final. I tried using ear plugs but found I work better without them despite the random odd noises. I suspect that might be because I study in a loud and random environment that makes me focus in on what I am doing.

Hmmm... Yeah, a good number of people didn't bring earplugs to my exam. I find that if I don't have them (I didn't on my midterm), I begin to get self conscious and start to doubt myself with the sound of everyone else fervently clicking and clacking away.

Question: I am scared that I might have done good because I walked out of each final feeling like I didn't fail (although I am sure I won't book any class but definitely will compete for Bs and As). The consensus on campus seems to be that I should be walking out like I failed. I am not one to really stress over things that I can't control plus I know I studied (smart not hard) and I can write well enough to get my point across.

Ugh.

It may just be your classmates feel that they don't know the material, or if they do, they're unsure of how to really attack a huge essay exam like that. I know people were streaming out of our 3 hour exam half way through. I was so baffled. I'm guessing they did a single answer and didn't do the whole GTM "Forks" analysis.

Explosions in the sky is awesome for anything. Especially studying. I pretty much played them out this semester. I ended up looking for similar stuff, finally settling on audiomachines which I think is the music they use for movie previews. Haha

[crossarmant]

Explosions in the sky is awesome for anything. Especially studying. I pretty much played them out this semester. I ended up looking for similar stuff, finally settling on audiomachines which I think is the music they use for movie previews. Haha

If you're looking for similar stuff, feel free to PM me. I'm kind of a post-rock fiend.

[adonai]

It may just be your classmates feel that they don't know the material, or if they do, they're unsure of how to really attack a huge essay exam like that. I know people were streaming out of our 3 hour exam half way through. I was so baffled. I'm guessing they did a single answer and didn't do the whole GTM "Forks" analysis.

I don't understand this either. There is always more to do; more issues to spot, more analysis + arguments to include. Spending 1.5 hours on an exam created to take 3 hours has got to be medianpwn.

[johansantana21]

It may just be your classmates feel that they don't know the material, or if they do, they're unsure of how to really attack a huge essay exam like that. I know people were streaming out of our 3 hour exam half way through. I was so baffled. I'm guessing they did a single answer and didn't do the whole GTM "Forks" analysis.

I don't understand this either. There is always more to do; more issues to spot, more analysis + arguments to include. Spending 1.5 hours on an exam created to take 3 hours has got to be medianpwn.

What about spending an hour on an exam that's 1.5 hours and spending 15 minutes cutting down to fit the word limit and the other 15 dillydallying?

[clint4law]

anyone have a flowchart for K? Final is in 36 hours and I am screwed

[adonai]

It may just be your classmates feel that they don't know the material, or if they do, they're unsure of how to really attack a huge essay exam like that. I know people were streaming out of our 3 hour exam half way through. I was so baffled. I'm guessing they did a single answer and didn't do the whole GTM "Forks" analysis.

I don't understand this either. There is always more to do; more issues to spot, more analysis + arguments to include. Spending 1.5 hours on an exam created to take 3 hours has got to be medianpwn.

What about spending an hour on an exam that's 1.5 hours and spending 15 minutes cutting down to fit the word limit and the other 15 dillydallying?

Shouldn't be freaking out over that. I don't know what dillydallying consists of, but if it was time spent reading/outlining issues I think it would be understandable. My profs have always told me they give you just enough time to be able to do a good job, but you are being rushed. If you have a word limit, that might also have been accounted for in the time limit your profs set because you do have to be more careful in crafting/phrasing your answers. I don't have these types of tests so I'm not sure, but you shouldn't worry about it. But 1.5 hours on a 3 hour exam is just surprising. You should barely be able to finish by the time the test is over..that's how these tests are made in my limited experience with midterms/practice exams.

[ilovesf]

Civ pro went alright this morning. Some parts actually felt too easy, it was weird. We got a scenario and a complaint and the essay was like "tell your client about all of the options available to respond to the complaint" and that's just like.. so many options. Some of the multiple choice things were pretty easy, but then I thought, wait, is this too easy? Not excited for the grade at all though.

[lifestooquick]

Best thing I've done as far as prep is definitely studying in empty classrooms instead of the library. The tension in the air in the library is definitely palpable - not a good environment.

also, I don't have to wear headphones and can sing along to my music if I'm by myself in a classroom, lol.