Themis Bar Review Hangout - July 2014 Exam Forum

[JJ556]

For anyone who has already started, do you know if there's a summary outline for each area of law like the one provided at the end of Con Law? I was hoping there was because it seemed like time may have been better spent going over that than making flash cards; however, I can't find any for the other two areas of law I've gone over.

[Bigbub75]

For anyone who has already started, do you know if there's a summary outline for each area of law like the one provided at the end of Con Law? I was hoping there was because it seemed like time may have been better spent going over that than making flash cards; however, I can't find any for the other two areas of law I've gone over.

I found some old ones a while ago when I was poking around. But it looks like they removed them from the site because now I can't seem to find them.

[JJ556]

For anyone who has already started, do you know if there's a summary outline for each area of law like the one provided at the end of Con Law? I was hoping there was because it seemed like time may have been better spent going over that than making flash cards; however, I can't find any for the other two areas of law I've gone over.

I found some old ones a while ago when I was poking around. But it looks like they removed them from the site because now I can't seem to find them.

I e-mailed Themis, they said the summary outlines are only available for the MBE subjects.

[dudnaito]

Checking in. NY/NJ. Already started because the schedule as it stands has me studying EVERY day with only 2 holidays off. This is unrealistic so I wanted to get a head start so I can take some days off. So far it is taking me much longer than I would like to get through the assignments and recommended activities (making flash cards, reviewing your notes, etc). I may have to start cutting corners so I can keep up.

I believe the expectation is that you complete 75%+ of the course and that should give you a very, very good chance of passing the bar. Also, Illinois is composite score, meaning that the MBE with only 6 subjects should probably receive the bulk of your attention.

[puttycake]

I was hoping there was because it seemed like time may have been better spent going over that than making flash cards; however, I can't find any for the other two areas of law I've gone over.

Have you looked into pre-made flash cards or the ones on Anki or similar? For me, the act o f making a flashcard is probably the best way to memorize, but just for drills, the pre-made stuff might work.

[JJ556]

I was hoping there was because it seemed like time may have been better spent going over that than making flash cards; however, I can't find any for the other two areas of law I've gone over.

Have you looked into pre-made flash cards or the ones on Anki or similar? For me, the act o f making a flashcard is probably the best way to memorize, but just for drills, the pre-made stuff might work.

I've looked into commercial ones, yes. But like you, making them seems to be more helpful for memorization, so I'm just sticking with hand-jamming my own.

[Bigbub75]

For anyone who has already started, do you know if there's a summary outline for each area of law like the one provided at the end of Con Law? I was hoping there was because it seemed like time may have been better spent going over that than making flash cards; however, I can't find any for the other two areas of law I've gone over.

I found some old ones a while ago when I was poking around. But it looks like they removed them from the site because now I can't seem to find them.

I e-mailed Themis, they said the summary outlines are only available for the MBE subjects.

Did they tell you where they are located at?

[JJ556]

For anyone who has already started, do you know if there's a summary outline for each area of law like the one provided at the end of Con Law? I was hoping there was because it seemed like time may have been better spent going over that than making flash cards; however, I can't find any for the other two areas of law I've gone over.

I found some old ones a while ago when I was poking around. But it looks like they removed them from the site because now I can't seem to find them.

I e-mailed Themis, they said the summary outlines are only available for the MBE subjects.

Did they tell you where they are located at?

I didn't ask where they are located. I was able to access the Con Law summary outline from the directed study page on the day it told me to review my Con Law notes. I just assumed that is when I will be able to access the other outlines for the rest of the MBE subjects.

[dudnaito]

Checking in. NY/NJ. Already started because the schedule as it stands has me studying EVERY day with only 2 holidays off. This is unrealistic so I wanted to get a head start so I can take some days off. So far it is taking me much longer than I would like to get through the assignments and recommended activities (making flash cards, reviewing your notes, etc). I may have to start cutting corners so I can keep up.

Yeah, it seems pretty ridiculous. Even with a fairly sizable head start (2 MBE subjects down with all associated workshops, etc.. and the intro. material), I only get 2-3 days off until test day which doesn't seem realistic. However, after carefully looking through the calendar (which they should really re-work for clearer viewing), I think the strategy is to completely overload you for the first 5 weeks, then after that, it's primarily just practicing, practicing, practicing, which seems to be the right approach. Also, Themis suggests 75%+ completion should give you a very, very good shot at passing too.

[lawyerwannabe]

Hey. What does the NY only schedule look like? Does that also only have like 2 or 3 days off?

[Apple Tree]

For anyone who has already started, do you know if there's a summary outline for each area of law like the one provided at the end of Con Law? I was hoping there was because it seemed like time may have been better spent going over that than making flash cards; however, I can't find any for the other two areas of law I've gone over.

I found some old ones a while ago when I was poking around. But it looks like they removed them from the site because now I can't seem to find them.

I e-mailed Themis, they said the summary outlines are only available for the MBE subjects.

Did they tell you where they are located at?

Themis sent out a message with the links for all the subjects. You gotta copy and paste the link into your web browser to get the pdf version.

[phooey182]

I am taking the Maryland Bar. I took the NY/NJ bars already in 2012 using BarBri (I passed both). Now I'm working full-time in Maryland and studying to take the bar this summer. Decided to take Themis because it's cheaper. But I felt I needed a "bar review course" to keep me on track with studying. I started studying today. Hating every minute of it.

[puttycake]

I wanted to get a head start because I figured my motivation would only get worse and worse as the days progressed. So far so good.

[nowinGA]

The advice I got from people who did it last year was to scrap the outlines, watch the lectures, and do the handouts. Then make your own outlines from that. (And look up stuff in the Themis outlines as needed for clarification). Anyone else using this method? I don't absorb much when I just stare and and read an outline, so it seems pretty solid.

I am doing NY so I start tomorrow.

[lawyerwannabe]

What do you mean by handouts? I'm interested in your suggested approach....

[nowinGA]

What do you mean by handouts? I'm interested in your suggested approach....

The ones that go along with the video lectures. You can print them out. I actually paid $50 and had them printed and shipped to me because I knew that I would want them in hard copy and my parents (where I am studying this summer) don't have an awesome printer. But they are the handouts that go along with the lectures and they have some blanks to fill in along the way (I actually like that, keeps me paying attention). Though I know it's not comparable, this is the only studying I did for the MPRE (though I used the barbri course for that) and it worked well for me.

From what my friends said, the outlines are just too long and too much to absorb on a first reading. (Especially if it's a new subject you didn't take in school). Anyway, they are there if you want to look stuff up, obviously...but better to just start with the video.

Then since the handouts are still a bit dense, go from those (using the outlines as necessary) and make your own outline (or flash cards - I don't personally like flashcards because they take a lot of time to make and I stress out about how much stuff should be on each one...so I go for the condescend outline).

At least that is what I've heard/am gonna try. I am sure it works differently for everybody. And in this first week, I might try to read the outlines just so I know what they are like...and because who knows, I might actually benefit from that.

[jigglypuffdreams]

The advice I got from people who did it last year was to scrap the outlines, watch the lectures, and do the handouts. Then make your own outlines from that. (And look up stuff in the Themis outlines as needed for clarification). Anyone else using this method? I don't absorb much when I just stare and and read an outline, so it seems pretty solid.

I am doing NY so I start tomorrow.

The advice I got from my SO who did Themis last year was to focus on the outlines more than the lectures because the lectures/handouts are too basic to be helpful. The lectures seem to just be reading/following the outlines but with less details and more examples. And so far it seems pretty right, the MBE practice questions test a whole bunch of nuances from the outlines and make you feel dumb, so idk I'm going to have fun with the lectures and then focus on the outlines.

[nowinGA]

The advice I got from people who did it last year was to scrap the outlines, watch the lectures, and do the handouts. Then make your own outlines from that. (And look up stuff in the Themis outlines as needed for clarification). Anyone else using this method? I don't absorb much when I just stare and and read an outline, so it seems pretty solid.

I am doing NY so I start tomorrow.

The advice I got from my SO who did Themis last year was to focus on the outlines more than the lectures because the lectures/handouts are too basic to be helpful. The lectures seem to just be reading/following the outlines but with less details and more examples. And so far it seems pretty right, the MBE practice questions test a whole bunch of nuances from the outlines and make you feel dumb, so idk I'm going to have fun with the lectures and then focus on the outlines.

Well like I said: to each their own. I think it just depends on learning style. My friends all passed with flying colors...so I say go with whatever works. I plan to experiment the first couple of weeks and see what feels right for me.

[lawyerwannabe]

I can never find anything. Where are these following along handouts? Thanks!

[nowinGA]

I can never find anything. Where are these following along handouts? Thanks!

On the screen to the right when you are watching the lecture.

[Kincade12]

I agree, I think you have to see what works best for you. The lectures do a good job of pointing out the more important and heavily tested areas which is ultimately what you need to focus on to pass. People who passed last year told me that you will feel very dumb for awhile when you take practice question exams and to not worry about it. You will get better in the last month.

I'm personally watching the lectures, filling in the notes, then going to the outline to review the information. I also plan to make my own outlines later down the road.

[puttycake]

I'm reading the outlines, but I'm not trying to make sure I comprehend or remember all of it. I'm just trying to do a light read (more than a skim, less than a read you'd want to be tested on) and then do the lectures.

It does take a long time, but then when I get to the lectures, I feel like I already sort've know what they're talking about, so the lecture is almost a review, then the assessment questions are another review, etc.

Of course, I've only taken one MBE practice set, so what the heck do I know?

[071816]

ayyy I'm taking the California test. Gonna start my prep on the 27th. Just finished watching the bullshit introduction videos.

[puttycake]

ayyy I'm taking the California test. Gonna start my prep on the 27th. Just finished watching the bullshit introduction videos.

Yeah, the intro videos didn't seem to add much to the quality of knowledge in the universe.

[lsutiger1987]

Taking the Bar Exam in Texas. Today is my first day studying and I spent 4 hours taking notes on the video lectures. This will be a long summer SMH