Need to learn property 1, criminal law, and Con Law 1 in 3 weeks--HELP!!! Forum

[Bthelaw]

Con Law I
Property I
Criminal Law (not procedure or evidence.)

These are 3 close-booked final exams that I have in 3.5 weeks. Due to extenuating circumstances I wasn't able to really be present in class. I was physically there, yes, but my brain was else where. I got a new job, my husband and I had to move, we got custody of my husbands 3 kids, my husband got a new job--which required us to move again.

Needless to say my studying time has been severely limited. Adjusting to being a wife, and a mother, and a director of a company has been hard. I don't want law school to falter. My GPA is okay and it's not the greatest. However, I am determined not to fail. Personal story notwithstanding does anyone have any triumphant stories or strategies on how to do decent? I am not looking for an A/A-, but at least one B and B-'s I will be fine with.

Can you help me?

[RaceJudicata]

Three weeks? I say doable, particularly if you are ok with getting B's. Need to, as best you can, set aside the personal stuff for the time being...but if you can do that, you will be in fine shape.



- Find all possible outlines for your current professors. Beg/Borrow/Steal to get them.
- Don't bother making your own outline, just read the ones you are able to get your hands on.
- Do practice tests and review the answers (if available); start by taking tests with outline and gradually get rid of the outline.
- Make a schedule and stick to it.
- Use the exam schedule to your advantage -- study for early exams first (while casually reviewing later exams)
- Create and memorize brief shells for things that you KNOW will be on the given exams. Memorize those shells.
- Read outlines whenever you have free time...anything you can do to get the material engrained in your head

Time is tough, the memorization will be tougher. If you commit to a schedule, you can definitely get B's.

[Bthelaw]

Three weeks? I say doable, particularly if you are ok with getting B's. Need to, as best you can, set aside the personal stuff for the time being...but if you can do that, you will be in fine shape.



- Find all possible outlines for your current professors. Beg/Borrow/Steal to get them.
- Don't bother making your own outline, just read the ones you are able to get your hands on.
- Do practice tests and review the answers (if available); start by taking tests with outline and gradually get rid of the outline.
- Make a schedule and stick to it.
- Use the exam schedule to your advantage -- study for early exams first (while casually reviewing later exams)
- Create and memorize brief shells for things that you KNOW will be on the given exams. Memorize those shells.
- Read outlines whenever you have free time...anything you can do to get the material engrained in your head

Time is tough, the memorization will be tougher. If you commit to a schedule, you can definitely get B's.

Thanks RaceJudicata (Love the name play on words btw.) Why I didn't think about this, I don't know. Do you happen to have a shell schedule? I work from 9-6 (but have an hour for lunch.) One that maybe you or someone you know has tried. I have exams during the week of Dec. 12th-18th (I HATE WEEKEND EXAMS). Thank you again, this seems both practical and doable

[RaceJudicata]

Three weeks? I say doable, particularly if you are ok with getting B's. Need to, as best you can, set aside the personal stuff for the time being...but if you can do that, you will be in fine shape.



- Find all possible outlines for your current professors. Beg/Borrow/Steal to get them.
- Don't bother making your own outline, just read the ones you are able to get your hands on.
- Do practice tests and review the answers (if available); start by taking tests with outline and gradually get rid of the outline.
- Make a schedule and stick to it.
- Use the exam schedule to your advantage -- study for early exams first (while casually reviewing later exams)
- Create and memorize brief shells for things that you KNOW will be on the given exams. Memorize those shells.
- Read outlines whenever you have free time...anything you can do to get the material engrained in your head

Time is tough, the memorization will be tougher. If you commit to a schedule, you can definitely get B's.

Thanks RaceJudicata (Love the name play on words btw.) Why I didn't think about this, I don't know. Do you happen to have a shell schedule? I work from 9-6 (but have an hour for lunch.) One that maybe you or someone you know has tried. I have exams during the week of Dec. 12th-18th (I HATE WEEKEND EXAMS). Thank you again, this seems both practical and doable

Shells refer to canned answers. As for schedule, I'd do some reading during lunch if you are able. I'd focus on memorization/reading at night, and practice exams on during the remaining weekends. Do absolutely everything in your power to use thanksgiving/black friday to your advantage.

FWIW, I know plenty of people (granted, they don't work full time), that do essentially nothing until 1-2 weeks before exams. Believe it or not, I think you got this.

ETA: these aren't your first set of law school exams, right? I think that also helps you big time.

[FascinatedWanderer]

I'm gonna say not possible if you're working full time from 9-6 during the day.

[Bthelaw]

I'm gonna say not possible if you're working full time from 9-6 during the day.

I am using my remaining vacation time (9 days) off starting Dec. 4th/5th through finals off. And plan on really studying!

[Bthelaw]

Three weeks? I say doable, particularly if you are ok with getting B's. Need to, as best you can, set aside the personal stuff for the time being...but if you can do that, you will be in fine shape.



- Find all possible outlines for your current professors. Beg/Borrow/Steal to get them.
- Don't bother making your own outline, just read the ones you are able to get your hands on.
- Do practice tests and review the answers (if available); start by taking tests with outline and gradually get rid of the outline.
- Make a schedule and stick to it.
- Use the exam schedule to your advantage -- study for early exams first (while casually reviewing later exams)
- Create and memorize brief shells for things that you KNOW will be on the given exams. Memorize those shells.
- Read outlines whenever you have free time...anything you can do to get the material engrained in your head

Time is tough, the memorization will be tougher. If you commit to a schedule, you can definitely get B's.

Thanks RaceJudicata (Love the name play on words btw.) Why I didn't think about this, I don't know. Do you happen to have a shell schedule? I work from 9-6 (but have an hour for lunch.) One that maybe you or someone you know has tried. I have exams during the week of Dec. 12th-18th (I HATE WEEKEND EXAMS). Thank you again, this seems both practical and doable

Shells refer to canned answers. As for schedule, I'd do some reading during lunch if you are able. I'd focus on memorization/reading at night, and practice exams on during the remaining weekends. Do absolutely everything in your power to use thanksgiving/black friday to your advantage.

FWIW, I know plenty of people (granted, they don't work full time), that do essentially nothing until 1-2 weeks before exams. Believe it or not, I think you got this.

ETA: these aren't your first set of law school exams, right? I think that also helps you big time.

I am taking 9 days off of work! Starting Dec. 4th/5th going through finals (I mean 9 days to study not including time off for finals... 2 finals are over the weekend.) Thanks for your faith. his is my second set of finals. I started school PT in the spring and need to maintain a 2.75 to keep my scholarship. Thanks!

[RaceJudicata]

9 Days? You are in very good shape. No need to worry, just stick to your plan.

[FloridaCoastalorbust]

You definitely got this. You have three primary tasks - learn the rules, learn how to spot issues, and learn how to apply the rules to issues.

To learn the rules, borrow other people's outlines. Read them a few times, and then start trying to type each rule from memory. At this point, focus mostly on the big rules. So for property, focus on nailing down the elements of nuisance, trespass, and so on, rather than getting into the weeds of each element and their twists and turns.

To learn how to spot issues, read old exams, write out the issues you've spotted, and read the exam answers. Don't burn through too many old exams though. If you don't have many, look at E&Es, other professors' exams at your school, or other supplements, like Siegel's.

Finally, to learn how to apply the rules to the issues (which is the most important part here), take practice exams. Do one per subject, untimed. Then time yourself under real conditions. Shoot for at least two timed exams per subject.

Good luck!

[iliketurtles123]

Res Judicata has it on the dot.

If it's closed book, don't read cases. Just read outlines. However, make sure you know your professors' testing styles (will they ask about obscure case facts?). Most likely, your exams will be traditional issue spotting and analysis

Spend your time reading outlines and memorizing. Take practice tests as soon as you feel comfortable. Even if you don't remember all the details, writing out your answer helps. If necessary, write our "model answers" (aka "shell answers") for certain complex/repeat sections so your memory will be solidified, and you can also confirm that you actually understand the material. On the real exam, time is going to be factor so if you KNOW a section is going to be on the exam, you want to have written it so much that it's almost autopilot on the real thing. Ideally you should do this for ALL sections but hey you have 3 weeks.

Also don't worry. Closed book = diminishing returns on studying. Someone who studied 9 weeks is not necessarily going to be in much better shape than someone who studied 4 weeks.

[rcharter1978]

You sound a lot like the poster who was doing a part time program at Cooley.

If you're not her, you should find her, she had to learn a lot more in a much smaller window.

[Bthelaw]

You sound a lot like the poster who was doing a part time program at Cooley.

If you're not her, you should find her, she had to learn a lot more in a much smaller window.

Howdy! Thanks, do you have the link to her post? Or know the title of her post?

[Bthelaw]

Res Judicata has it on the dot.

If it's closed book, don't read cases. Just read outlines. However, make sure you know your professors' testing styles (will they ask about obscure case facts?). Most likely, your exams will be traditional issue spotting and analysis

Spend your time reading outlines and memorizing. Take practice tests as soon as you feel comfortable. Even if you don't remember all the details, writing out your answer helps. If necessary, write our "model answers" (aka "shell answers") for certain complex/repeat sections so your memory will be solidified, and you can also confirm that you actually understand the material. On the real exam, time is going to be factor so if you KNOW a section is going to be on the exam, you want to have written it so much that it's almost autopilot on the real thing. Ideally you should do this for ALL sections but hey you have 3 weeks.

Also don't worry. Closed book = diminishing returns on studying. Someone who studied 9 weeks is not necessarily going to be in much better shape than someone who studied 4 weeks.

hahahaha this made my day! Thanks love

[Bthelaw]

9 Days? You are in very good shape. No need to worry, just stick to your plan.

That gives me so much confidence, because I am afraid. Thanks again.

[Bthelaw]

Res Judicata has it on the dot.

If it's closed book, don't read cases. Just read outlines. However, make sure you know your professors' testing styles (will they ask about obscure case facts?). Most likely, your exams will be traditional issue spotting and analysis

Spend your time reading outlines and memorizing. Take practice tests as soon as you feel comfortable. Even if you don't remember all the details, writing out your answer helps. If necessary, write our "model answers" (aka "shell answers") for certain complex/repeat sections so your memory will be solidified, and you can also confirm that you actually understand the material. On the real exam, time is going to be factor so if you KNOW a section is going to be on the exam, you want to have written it so much that it's almost autopilot on the real thing. Ideally you should do this for ALL sections but hey you have 3 weeks.

Also don't worry. Closed book = diminishing returns on studying. Someone who studied 9 weeks is not necessarily going to be in much better shape than someone who studied 4 weeks.

Ha! Thanks I was thinking about that, too. More so hoping!

[Bthelaw]

You definitely got this. You have three primary tasks - learn the rules, learn how to spot issues, and learn how to apply the rules to issues.

To learn the rules, borrow other people's outlines. Read them a few times, and then start trying to type each rule from memory. At this point, focus mostly on the big rules. So for property, focus on nailing down the elements of nuisance, trespass, and so on, rather than getting into the weeds of each element and their twists and turns.

To learn how to spot issues, read old exams, write out the issues you've spotted, and read the exam answers. Don't burn through too many old exams though. If you don't have many, look at E&Es, other professors' exams at your school, or other supplements, like Siegel's.

Finally, to learn how to apply the rules to the issues (which is the most important part here), take practice exams. Do one per subject, untimed. Then time yourself under real conditions. Shoot for at least two timed exams per subject.

Good luck!

Solid advice! Thank YOU. Working on that now

[JGMotorsport]

Get a CALI account from your library. The lessons on Property and Criminal Law are outstanding. I got a B+ in Crim after never cracking my textbook and an A in Property.

They are like taking mini exams with explanations on the answers. Keep the account because the Tax sections are also great.

[ManoftheHour]

It's doable. If you can get a hold of some good outlines, you can probably still get As, lol.

Class is a crapshoot anyway. Sometimes you have a good prof and he/she makes learning way easier and sometimes you don't and the class is useless anyway. You can definitely get away with not reading the casebook.