So behind… I think…
I still feel like I’m wading through a waist-deep swamp of $&*! as far as bar studying goes and now the test is basically one month away. Obviously I can’t go on like this if I’m going to pass.
What to do? Energy Spatula solicited a list of tips from her readers last week so perhaps I’ll find the magic bullet there. Oh, there is no magic bullet? Damn.
Elsewhere, Monica is taking simulated MBEs already, and that seems like a pretty good idea except I haven’t reviewed all the MBE topics yet. The last oneÃ¢â‚¬â€ťpropertyÃ¢â‚¬â€ťis next week. I guess that’s good. I can use the 4th of July break to start finish my attack plans for the MBE and take a simulated test on my own. Oh yeah, one of the “benefits” of taking the least expensive BarBri class in the country is that you don’t get a simulated MBE, either. Cheaper obviously isn’t always better, but again, I have to remind myself that no one else in MT is getting a simulated MBE as part of their exam preparations eitherÃ¢â‚¬â€ťat least not through BarBri.
Monica also recently pointed to this list of bar exam mnemonics. Maybe some of those will help, too.
Meanwhile, Energy Spatula expresses the frustration many of us are feeling about now (oh, and here, too), but she’s got it even worseÃ¢â‚¬â€ťher BarBri classes are apparently seven days a week! Suddenly my three-day weekends are looking much, much better. But she’s also turning in practice essays to be graded. Here in MT? No. Our review course has so far been silent on essays except for those brief moments when the MBE video professors give you tips like, “so if you run into an essay where strict application of contract law leads to unjust results, be sure to end with a paragraph discussing the possible equitable remedies available under the theory of quasi-contract.” That’s helpful, but I bet those graded practice essays are going to be much more helpful for those who do them.
I’m sure I’m being unfair b/c we’re going to have a bunch of courses on MT-specific issues coming up so I’m sure we’ll get more tips on how to handle the essays on each of those subjects. Speaking of which, it’s almost time for my first-ever introduction to tax law. Yay.
And maybe I don’t have all that much to worry about. Wayne at the 2006 Bar Exam blog says studying for the bar is just like law school, and I’m sure he’s right, but something tells me my slacker ways will have to improve at least a little if I’m going to beat this monster.
[tags]barbri, montana[/tags]
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June 22nd, 2006 at 12:22 pm
I’m behind too, although mostly because NY has so many extra subjects. That, and because I oscillate between feeling like I know lots of stuff (so what’s the point of studying since I know it already) and feeling like I slept through the last three years (so what’s the point of studying, since I ain’t ever gonna be able to learn that much…)
June 22nd, 2006 at 2:47 pm
Do practice questions, practice questions and more practice questions. Read the explanations. If you find that you are getting several questions about a certain subject wrong, read more on the subject in your long outline. Otherwise, the classes and the stuff they tell you to do in preparation for classes is largely crap. They just build it up so they can charge you for two months. Only two things you really need: Conviser mini-review and practice questions. That and some sharpened No. 2 pencils.
June 23rd, 2006 at 5:40 pm
no worries. every state is on a different schedule. you started later.
marathon, marathon, marathon!
June 23rd, 2006 at 6:13 pm
hmm… well, the graded essays aren’t so helpful when Bar/Bri fails you every time on policy and the simulated MBE Bar/Bri gave was artificially difficult — such that the average score is 105/200. Sooo… don’t feel like you’re really missing out.
happy studying to all!
June 23rd, 2006 at 7:33 pm
does it help at all to think about how at least you don’t have to write a dissertation? ;)
June 25th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Part of the reason we get graded essays is that our bar is ALL essay - no multiple choice. So, we have 18 essays in the first 2 days, then the third day is all PR essays…I guess what I’m saying is that I’m not sure how helpful the graded essays really are, but there is sort of an articulate reason why Bar/Bri is doing it that way here. But yeah, I have class 6 days a week (most weeks) and at LEAST 3 (sometimes 4 or 5) essays assigned every day, plus outlining the subject from that day, reading, etc…and we turn in 3 graded essays each week that takes them a week to grade and get back to us. It’s kind of weird, but that’s what we get for starting three weeks late! I hate quarters AND the bar exam!