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Current Law Students / Re: This may be the worst question ever but...Outlining?
« on: May 12, 2008, 05:13:25 AM »I was planning on making a thread like this too. Except I'd also like to know what "briefing" is? Just short reading notes on the cases you read for class? Seems like it'd be really useful to do, but I've heard people say its a waste of time. Would these be incorporated into your outline?
Also, another stupid question: in general, you get to use your outlines on exams, right?
Again, I am too lazy to explain anything, but man do I love google: http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/research/brief.html
As to the second question. Yes you can use your outlines for the most part. Most exams are open book, meaning you can bring the course book, your notes, outlines, whatever. Some of my profs would specify that you could only bring stuff you had written, some would say only stuff "you had a part in making", some would say "use anything you want, your own notes, commercial outlines and hornbooks, bring anything". That's just something you have to confirm with the prof. Also, some exams are closed book, meaning you get nothing. So far I only know of one section (out of 5) at my school that had one closed book exam... it's not that common.
I think it depends on the school how common closed note exams are ... I had 2 last semester (my first semester - contracts and torts). And I have two this semester - con law and property.
For closed note exams, you probably want a really short outline. My Contracts was 2 pages (B+ in the class) and I had a rule chart for torts and a 20 page outline. A in torts. I have an 11 page outline for con law, and our property professor made us outlines that I will study for our exam next week.
My outlines are generally short ... my longest ones are for civ pro (open note) - around 30 pages. I'm not sure what the hell everyone else is putting in their outlines, b/c I include everything o.0 Oh well.
This semester I had no open note exams (Evidence, Admin, Sales, Wills and Trusts, Methods III), and same thing last semester (Fed Tax, Con law II, International law, Pro Rep, Biz Orgs). Just something to keep in mind for OL and 1L's. There WILL be times when you need to get all that info in your head. IMO the best thing to do in those situations is to start your outlining 1 month prior to exams as stated by others. Keep it short and succinct so you can recall key points.
Also, as a general tip, Sum and Substance is your friend if you can get the recordings. Playing them in the car while you drive helps.