[…] You`re good enough with your contours yourself that you feel like you know them. Here we have a detailed guide to the structure. We also have tips on how to sketch diagrams and places where you can find outlines online if you […] Since then, there have been drafts from the Faculty of Law. Well, it`s not clear. They surely existed in 1973 – the film The Paper Chase repeatedly mentions the highlights. One character works tirelessly on his long, « perfect » sketch, calling students he doesn`t like « pimps. » As if that were a bad thing. While you usually don`t want to start sketching a topic until you`ve learned it in class, it`s important not to wait too long to start conceiving. Sometimes students wait up to a few weeks until the end of the semester to begin their designs. Not only will waiting with the sketch until the end of the semester make your studies more stressful, but you won`t be able to maximize the value of a plan.
There simply isn`t enough time to develop the kind of contours that will allow you to fully understand the material. […] Be careful if you are not the best at drawing. Check out our design articles (we have a detailed guide to design, how to draw with diagrams, tips on how to learn your plan, where to get plans of […] The first draft of each outline is usually the longest because it contains all the course material. However, the plans are in progress – you will continue to complete and edit them over the course of the semester and condense them. What happens if you leave the classroom without knowing the rule? Sometimes teachers can be very vague and you can leave the class without knowing what the law on black letters is! If so, start by looking at your lecture notes – after all, your professor was probably referring to a law or case where the rule was included. (If so, get your rule explanation of the law or case.) You may need to start practicing really listening to it in class! If you still can`t find it, look for the rule in a supplement (for example, a book with examples and explanations, or rewording, etc., depending on your class). Include a clear and comprehensive statement that defines the rule of law (e.g., « assault is.. »). Do this for each rule based on what your teacher has stated, a case you have read, information from a commercial draft or hornet book, or another source (e.g., the Socratic method in class). It is important that you understand the rule and can formulate it clearly. Plans should be created using all teaching materials, as everything is right in the exam. I use my book, reading notes, lecture notes, class PowerPoints, and all recommended add-ons.
That way, no matter what happens in the exam, you`ll have covered it up and studied it. You never want to get caught up in sketching just from your notes, as teachers often pull out of the book for multiple-choice questions. Once you have completed your plans and are satisfied, you should discuss them with your colleagues or study group. This will help you make sure that you have received all the information and that you have not confused anything. Last semester, I had to type a piece of my plan while I was sleepy and screwed up two rules. It wasn`t until I went through my outline with my study group that this mess was caught. If I hadn`t talked to a group, I would have studied the wrong rules through a simple mistake due to exhaustion. It never hurts to go through things with a group of trusted peers of the same class. Sometimes someone also has a slightly better rule statement or understanding of something that can help improve your knowledge and performance on exams.
I think it`s much easier to do a little at a time, so I worked on my designs every week and kept them up to date. I didn`t have classes on Fridays, so I used that day to relax, revise and draw. It also confirmed the information in a consistent and ongoing manner. The description helps you synthesize information and rules – by describing each week, you make it an active and ongoing process. That way, at the end of the semester, you remember and don`t try to synthesize and understand the concepts. It also saves you from having to spend a few days outlining the broad strokes, as it`s exhausting and not as good for retention and synthesis. In general, studies show that handwriting your notes helps you understand and retain legal concepts better than typing your notes on a computer. Handwriting slows you down just enough to force you to engage with the material more methodically. If you choose this approach, make sure you find a pen you like, as well as a selection of highlighters. You can also keep a separate notebook or folder for each class.
Today, many students prefer to take notes on the computer. If it`s you and you`re a quick typist, resist the temptation to transcribe what your teacher says. Instead, take the time to listen to and summarize the key points raised in class. Also, be sure to turn off all your notifications and close other windows and distractions.