7 NOVEMBER 2014 Student Perspective How to succeed in the course.

7 NOVEMBER 2014

Student PerspectiveHow to succeed in the course

Welcome to the law

IntroThe law is fascinating and practically useful in

every day life.Doctrine of necessity - Dudley v Stephens (1884) 14

QBD 273 On 5 July 1884, Four people, Dudley, Stephens, Brooks and a

17 year old boy had to abandon their yacht and board an open boat in the the high seas 1600 miles off Cape of Good Hope

They went 18 days without food and water, bar a turtle they caught, and rain water they trapped on their oil skins

Dudley and Stephens suggested they draw straws to see who should be sacrificed and eaten, so the others could survive. Brooks dissented

Introduction

Dudley and Stephens (Brooks dissenting), suggested they killed the boy because he was the weakest.

Dudley with Stephens consent stabbed the boy in the throat and killed him. The three men then fed on the boy’s body for 4 days. They were rescued. On their return to England, Dudley and Stephens were

charged with murder. Both argued defence of necessity (ie they had to kill the boy to survive).

Court held that necessity is not a defence to murder. Lord Coleridge: “Though law and morality are not the same, and many things are immoral

that are not necessarily illegal, yet the absolute divorce of law from morality would be a fatal consequence; and such divorce would follow if the temptation to murder in this case were held by law to be an absolute defence of it. It is not so.”

“By what measure are the comparative value of lives to be measured? Is it to be strength, intellect or what…in this case the weakest, the youngest, the most unresisting was chosen. Was it more necessary to kill him than one of the grown men? The answer must be no.”

Agenda

Please don’t video or take pictures of this presentation.

IntroductionPast exam statistics Why people fail or drop outAttending lecturesStudy groupsStudy expectations

Agenda

Assignment preparation structureExample assignmentExample exam summariesPreparing for examsExam techniqueStudent and lecturer questionnairesWhat you get out of the courseQuestion and answers

Introduction

I completed the course last semesterI have three children (youngest is 2 years old)My partner completed this course in 2008,

now works as a Criminal Lawyer with the DPP

Past Exam Statistics

Average success rates over the last 8 Semester: Legal Institutions - of those that sat, 28%, achieved a

merit (65-74) and 4% a distinction (75 – 100) Criminal Law – of those that sat, 32% achieved a merit

and 5% a distinctionNote course statistics can be found on the LPAB website.

The purpose of this presentation is to give you some suggestions on: - How to avoid dropping out of the course, registering a DNS or failing - How to do well in the course

Tale of Two Subjects

Real Property Conveyancing

Mark Final mark in the 50’s Final mark in the 90’s

Attend Lectures Missed 3 lectures Attended all

Subject guide Didn’t stick to subject guide

Stuck to subject guide

Prescribed readings Didn’t do for 3 lectures

Read all

Summarized Poor summariesDidn’t summarize 3 lectures.

Summarized all

Spot issues Did not spot all issues Spotted all issues

IRAC structure Didn’t stick to IRAC Structured answers

Time management Ran out of time, didn’t answer questions

Finished on time

EXPECTATIONS

Time Management

Time Management - Expectations

Throughout the course allow approximately 9 hours of study for each weekly lecture broken up as follows:

3-4 hours for the readings (some take more) Reading your notes, prescribed text, case extracts

1 Hour to review and tidy up your lecture notes after the lecture

2 hours to summarize the readings, legislation and case extracts

2 hours to prepare the final cut of your exam summary to 1 - 1.5 pages for each topic

Note Assignment and exam prep are separate to the above

Time Management - Expectations

Diarize when your assignments are due and the date you need to commence.

Diarize exam dates and date you need to commence your exam preparation

Set out and work to a project planSet your family’s (and works) expectations. Their

support and understanding is critical to succeeding this course. Sit down with them and let them know: What you need to do throughout the semester The weeks/ weekends you will be tied up working on

assignments The weeks/weekends you will be preparing for exams The dates of your exams (fact you will be stressed beforehand)

BENEFITS

Attending Lectures

Attending Lectures

Benefit of attending lecturesThe LEC has found that students who fail to attend

lectures are the most likely to failGo to all lectures. If you miss a lecture go to the weekend

school to make it up.During the lecture the lecturer:

Tells you what they want you to know Summarizes the course (they summarize the text and case principles) Tells you the key cases to know for the exam Gives you hints of what will be in the exam, or you need to know for

the assignmentYou get to ask the lecturer questionsYou get to form relationships with your peers, feel

accountable to them, and stay connected

YOUR COURSE BIBLE

The Subject Guide

The Subject Guide

The subject guide for each course is your course bible.To many students fail to realize the significant of this

document.The lecturer takes the time to write this document.

This should give you an idea of how significant it is.The subject guide sets out the following:

Prescribed readings Course topics, and headings Key cases and legislation

Print the subject guide out, bind it and take it to all lectures. Lecturers usually following the format of the guide in their lecturers.

The Subject Guide

It is a good idea to set out your lecturer notes, and summaries in the same format as the guide.

Make sure you know the cases, and legislation in the guide for the assignment and exam.

For example: Legal Institutions – see the topic on Statutory Interpretation. Note the

sections of legislation and cases listed. What do you think the lecturer expects you to know and refer to if this topic comes up in the assignment or exam?

Criminal Law – Note the lecturer/s set out the key sections of legislation and marks key cases they expect you to know with an asterisk.

By all means if you have time read other material, but only after you have read the prescribed readings, case extracts and legislation.

STUDY ROUTINEREADINGS

SUMMARIES

Throughout The SemesterWeeks 1-12/13

Throughout the semester

1. Bases ALL of your study around the subject guide. 2. Read the prescribed readings before the lecture

(allow 3-4 hours for readings. How many pages can you read an hour)

Read prescribed text Read prescribed legislation Read case extracts.

Judgments are a Judge’s “EXAM ANSWER” for other judges. The judge sets out the issue/s, relevant legislation, relevant precedent

case law, apply the law to the facts, and come to a conclusion The factual matrixes of exam questions are based on real cases Reading case extracts helps you spot the issues in exam questions Judgments often review the relevant key principles from other cases.

So this is a great source of revision.

Exam Preparation Recipe For Success

Throughout the Semester3. Attend the lectures and actively take notes (see the

recording feature in your word program)4. Re read and tidy up your notes (using headings from the

subject guide within 48 hours of the lecture. This is the best way to memorize and lock in the content

5. Summarize the prescribed readings (text, legislation & case extract) in accordance with the subject guide headings. Settle the first cut of your notes for that lecture.

6. Summarize the notes for that lecture to 1-2 pages maximum.

7. Re read your notes before the next lecture and in the weeks before the exam.

Study Groups

Join a study group of 3 or more peopleStudy group and the assignment

Meet your study group 3-4 weeks before the assignment to discuss the assignment

Share a basic bullet point outline of the key issues in the assignment with your study group

Do not share your final assignment with anyone, do not post it on Facebook.

Study group and the Exam Meet your study group 4 -6 weeks before the exam (and then

weekly) leading up to the exam to review past papers and discuss topics

Don’t meet your study group 3 days before an exam it can confuse you (lock yourself in a cave)

PREPARATIONANSWERING THE QUESTION

STRUCTURE

Assignments

Assignment Preparation

Each subject is assessed out of 100, 20% assignment 80% final exam.

Assignment is a great opportunity to put marks in the bank. Aim for a 15 out of 20 (or better). This gives you a buffer of 5 marks or better for the exam.

Commence working on your assignment at least 4 weekends before it is due

Allow 2 weekends for the readingAllow one full weekend to draft the assignmentAllow one night, to sleep on the draft, and amend before

submittingPlan to submit 1 week early. This gives you a buffer if you

get sick etc.

Assignment Preparation

1. Read the assignment question several times2. Highlight the issues 3. Read your relevant lecture notes (the lecturer is

telling you what they want to see in the assignment)4. Read the question again and highlight any more

issues you see 5. Read the text and relevant cases, and for extra

marks try do some research (does not apply to first LI Assignment)

6. Prepare a bullet point outline of the issues and law. 7. Discuss your outline of issues with your study group

(Don’t post on the Facebook)

Assignment Structure

8. Provide a structured answer to the question (for each issue)

Overall introduction Issue – Identify the issue Law

Make reference to the statute law – identify which section you are considering (and why you are starting with that section). If parts or phrases of the section are particularly relevant to your answer identify those parts or phrases in your answer without writing out the whole section;

Make reference to the relevant case law (use lecturer’s cases first)– state the principle in your own words, and cite the case. The relevant law/case law will often contain a test that must be satisfied – state the test clearly using your own words

Assignment Structure

9. Apply the law – apply the law/test to the facts10. Conclusion – Briefly state your conclusion on the

issue11. Overall conclusion – If a number of issues, provide

an overall conclusion – ANSWERING THE QUESTION

12. Complete citations, and bibliography 13. Review, polish and submit Tip In your assignment and exam, cite the cases referred to

in lectures and in the subject guide (lecturers are looking for this)

Please note the above process may not apply to the first Legal Institutions assignment.

Example 1 - Contracts assignment structure

PREPARATIONEXAM SUMMARIES

PAST PAPERSTECHNIQUE

Exam Preparation6 weeks to exam

Top 7 Reasons People Fail Exams

1. Haven’t attended lectures2. Haven’t read the prescribed readings 3. Haven’t practiced past papers under exam

conditions4. Haven’t spotted the issues5. Don’t answer the question6. Don’t provide a cogent structured answer

(fail to use IRAC)7. Poor time management in the exam -

running out of time

Pre Exam Preparation6 weeks before exam

Open Book Exams Open book exams are a false sense of security Prepare for open book exams as though they

are closed book exam! You don’t have time in the exam to refer to

your notes. You get the best marks when you know your

material (key principles, cases and legislation) without having to refer to your notes.

Pre Exam Preparation6 weeks before exam

1. Make your own nutshell book Don’t rely on library nutshell books, they are a false crutch Your personal nutshell book is your final exam summary

consisting of a maximum of 1-2 pages for each lecture of course (ie total of 12 – 24 pages), of the following: Your lecture notes, prescribed readings, legislation and case principles

2. Review and start memorizing your final summary (key sections of legislation, principles and cases)

3. Do the above, while you continue your prescribed readings and summaries for the remaining lectures

Pre Exam PreparationFinal 2 weeks before the exam

Plan to finish all of your prescribed readings, summaries etc, 2 weeks before the final exam.Do the following in the final 2 weeks before the exam:1. Time yourself handwriting one page of typed

notes. Tells you how the amount of typed content you can fit into a 40 minutes in the exam.

2. Read and memorize your personal exam nutshell every morning in the final 2 weeks before the exam

Pre Exam PreparationFinal 2 weeks before the exam

3. Past paper exam practice Practicing past papers are great final step for your exam prep. They

are a great way to test your knowledge, and see if you can organize your knowledge into a cogent structured bite sized exam answer.

Warning past papers should not form the basis of your study. Students get caught out with changes in the exam format. The best prep is to do the course work.

Do at least three complete past exam papers (allow 1 day to complete 2 or 3 questions from each paper)

Do exam questions under exam conditions, by hand, with a stopwatch. You need to train your hand to write for exams!

This gives you an idea of time limitations. Practice applying the law to the questions. Critical! Best thing is to pick a theme from past papers and do 3 questions in

a row on the same topic (best way to memorize)

Pre Exam PreparationFinal 2 weeks before the exam

1. Do first question open book, give yourself 45 minutes to answer the question. Then take 45 minutes to review your notes and tidy up your exam answer.

2. Do the second question closed book. After you have finished, spend a further 45 minutes reviewing your notes and correcting your answer. Repeat for the third question.

3. Warning past papers should NOT be your sole source of study. If the examiner changes the format you will be caught out.

5. Prepare a course overview “MAP” of the subject linking relevant principles etc. This locks in the course

6. Print out and bind the subject guide, your final exam summary, and first draft of your summary. Create an index on the first page of your final summary so you can find things quickly

7. Tab the relevant sections of your notes, legislation and prescribed text for quick reference in the exam.

8. Calculate the time you can spend on each question and part thereof in the exam

1. 3 hour exam with 4 questions = 45 mins a question2. Less 5 mins reading = 40 mins a question3. At 20 marks for 40 mins - a 5 mark part to a question is worth 10 mins of time

Final Exam Preparation

2 days before the exam

1. Prepare a course overview “MAP” of the whole subject on an A3 piece of paper.

1. List the topics across the top of the page2. Under each topic list key cases, and key legislation3. Draw arrows between topics to show how they relate to one another. Eg in Criminal Law

draw a line from murder to the relevant defenses. 4. The folder you will take into the exam. Put the following into a folder in their own tabs:

The subject guide Your exam nutshell – ie your final exam summary. Put an index on the front of the nutshell to help

find things. Your first draft of your summary. Put an index on the front page of this summary too. Your assignment

2. Tab the relevant sections of your notes, legislation and prescribed text for quick reference in the exam.

3. Calculate the time you can spend on each question and part thereof in the exam

1. 3 hour exam with 4 questions = 45 mins a question2. Less 5 mins reading = 40 mins a question3. At 20 marks for 40 mins - a 5 mark part to a question is worth 10 mins of time

Pre Exam Summaries

Example 2 – Conveyancing Subject GuideExample 3 – Conveyancing Lecture summary

PROCESSPAST PAPERSTECHNIQUE

During The Exam

In The Exam

1. Write down the finish times for each question on front of the exam paper.

- Eg 2.00pm start, 3hour exam, 4 questions equate to 45mins a question

- Q1 finish 2.45, Q2 finish 3.30pm etc

2. Choose the questions you want to answer3. Allocate time allowed for each part of the question (ie

write down how long you can spend on a 5, 7, 10 mark question)

4. Pick the first question you want to tackle. Carefully read the question again, and highlight the issues. Critical answer the question.

5. Prepare an answer plan – planning is everything6. Answer the question, for each issue, using IRAC method

In The Exam

7. Stop (pen down) when allocated time on the question is up. This is critical. The first 80% (16 marks) of the marks are the easiest to get.

If there are 4 questions in an exam and you run 5 minutes over for the first three questions, then you only have 30 mins or 30% less time to answer the last question which is also worth 20marks. Ie you have cost yourself 7 marks

Don’t run over time on a question chasing the final couple of marks, move on.

8. Help the examiner to give you marks. Write legibly – allows examiner to give more marks. Write on every

second line if you have bad hand writing. Underline or highlight key cases references and legislative If you can’t remember a case name, state the principle you will get marks If you are running out of time, then as a last resort in bullet points state

the issues, relevant principle and case citation – more marks

Post Exam

Post Exam Lecturer Interview After the exam apply for a meeting with the

examiner (see course book). Use the meeting to:

See what the examiners are looking for Find out how you can improve your exam technique

If you fail a subject Don’t quitSome of the best practitioners have failed a

subject

Student Questionnaires

4. Please see student questionnaires.

Lecturers Questionnaires

5 Lecturer’s questionnaires on why students fail

6 Lecturer questionnaires closed book exams

What you get out of the course

An ability to get straight to the issue of work related problems

An appreciation of your time, and time management

A new career in law/or appreciation of the law in your current role

Greater opportunities in your career, based on the respect the workforce has a law on your CV

A great sense of personal satisfaction. Studying law is immensely rewarding.

What you get from the course

An opportunity to meet a range of people you would not normally meet (my library friend)

A different way of thinkingAdmission to an incredibly well respected

professionTwo success stories

Graduation ceremony Admission ceremony

Questions

This presentation, student feedback, lecturers feedback, summary templates and other material is on the LEC website.

Login to the LEC site, Click on “notes” section of Legal Institutions

Good Luck

Thank you for your timeEnjoy your studies and good luck!