Tertiary and Continuing The Law Thread

[Ellis2WeightsRoom]

make friends quickly. get their notes. you'll be well on yr way to 75+ in most subjects.

This. Even if the notes you get aren't any good, you now can trade those notes for better ones, by using the old 'let's make sure neither of us have missed anything line'.

Also make sure you make the most of the online resources, often the lecturers will summarise a 20+pg judgement in 3 dot points and this will be all you need for the exam.

Do not waste time reading cases. Get a handle on the basic principle expressed in the case and make sure you know how to apply that principle to foreseeable factual scenarios. Match cases to principles and remember to cite wherever you can.

If you can do this and can read and write quickly, you will get HD's.

 

[jo172]

Do not waste time reading cases. Get a handle on the basic principle expressed in the case and make sure you know how to apply that principle to foreseeable factual scenarios. Match cases to principles and remember to cite wherever you can.

If you can do this and can read and write quickly, you will get HD's.

This.

Especially in the early years reading the cases will needlessly confuse you!

 

[rick James]

So what you're recommending is, I should pretty much just party like a mad man on O-Week so everyone knows me - then write up some shitty notes for each subject and pass them around amongst as many other law students as I can, getting theirs in return and choosing to use the best ones for my open book exams which just so happen to make up 100% of my marks?

First and second year are really important to me, marks wise. I figure its going to be easy to get high marks over the first two years than the two after that. I'm hoping by 4th year I only need to worry about passing subjects.

 

[Ellis2WeightsRoom]

First and second year are really important to me, marks wise. I figure its going to be easy to get high marks over the first two years than the two after that. I'm hoping by 4th year I only need to worry about passing subjects.

At Deakin there doesn't seem to be any real progression in difficulty between 1st year and 4th year, besides MLL110, which is the easiest subject but also the most tedious.

Ironically I did the most work in my first year (read alot of cases) and got high C's, low D's.Then in second year I figured out how to approach exams, stopped going to class and reading cases and have been getting >80 ever since.

Do not bother writing up your own sets of notes unless it is an absolute last resort 1 week before the exam. There will be sets floating around which you can use/trade.

There are even websites where you can download full sets of notes providing you upload something, however bad it is.

I have notes for Deakin Law subjects 2nd year onwards which I am happy to distribute/trade. If anyone is interested PM me.

 

[rick James]

I have notes for Deakin Law subjects 2nd year onwards which I am happy to distribute/trade. If anyone is interested PM me.

You're making a law degree sound like trading Pokemon or something. This is great.

I'm not a particularly good student anyway when it comes to assignments or recalling the details of an entire text - I've always just really excelled in exams. I'm getting even more excited about this now, sounds like its right up my alley.

Will definitely take you up on this offer if you're still posting here in a years time.

 

[sear]

Sorry Deeman, i never saw your original post but congrats on getting in. Content is really theoretical and hardly any.. reality...? like no current events talk or anything like i thought there would be. Im not really enjoying it to be honest, but thats just me. I loved the electives, like history and stuff though, they make a nice break from law. I also went on exchange last year to Canada and highly recommend it. PM me if you have any questions before you get started. I dont know if its changed but i felt that they never really made any attempt explain the structure of the course or anything, like im what 5 years in (probs 2.5 to go, because i only do 3 subjects a semester) but i still havent heard anything about the practical work experience subject were meant to be doing. my friends who did it straight and graduated last year, also heard next to nothing about it before they started it. but yeah feel free to ask any questions or whatever

 

[deeman12]

Sorry Deeman, i never saw your original post but congrats on getting in. Content is really theoretical and hardly any.. reality...? like no current events talk or anything like i thought there would be. Im not really enjoying it to be honest, but thats just me. I loved the electives, like history and stuff though, they make a nice break from law. I also went on exchange last year to Canada and highly recommend it. PM me if you have any questions before you get started. I dont know if its changed but i felt that they never really made any attempt explain the structure of the course or anything, like im what 5 years in (probs 2.5 to go, because i only do 3 subjects a semester) but i still havent heard anything about the practical work experience subject were meant to be doing. my friends who did it straight and graduated last year, also heard next to nothing about it before they started it. but yeah feel free to ask any questions or whatever

Thanks mate. I've chosen a history unit (modern europe A) as my first elective which should be interesting. The second year electives for IR also look pretty good.

I'll definitely be travelling abroad at some point, probably the US, Canada or a European country where their English skills are good. I think that I should probably start stashing away some cash at some point.

 

[Chief]

This is interesting - they let you have a History elective in first year law?

 

[rick James]

This is interesting - they let you have a History elective in first year law?

I've got two electives my first semester.

 

[sear]

This is interesting - they let you have a History elective in first year law?

Its for our second degree, International Relations.

I dont know about straight law, but i would hope you get some electives, because all law subjects the whole time would be terrible!

 

[lifelike_]

Its for our second degree, International Relations.

I dont know about straight law, but i would hope you get some electives, because all law subjects the whole time would be terrible!

I'm not looking forward to my fourth and fifth years. All law subjects, and I might have to take five in a semester to finish in the minimum time.

 

[Denny_Crane]

haha yeah I gotta find that thread and gloat a bit.

Smashed the test man, finished in like the 97th percentile over the history of the test so I was straight in.

Give it a week and I'll be plowing 18 year olds anyway.

haha I can imagine. I've had a lot of mates inviting themselves to O-Week parties, you know, to make sure I've got a wingman. They really look out for me, my mates.

I figure its going to be easy to get high marks over the first two years.

I've always just really excelled in exams.

I have heard that a lot of undergraduate law students are arrogant **** so you should fit right in Rick.

Denny Crane

 

[rick James]

I have heard that a lot of undergraduate law students are arrogant **** so you should fit right in Rick.

Denny Crane

I am not one to doubt my own ability. And considering I've excelled at every single thing I've attempted, I've got no reason to start now.

Funnily enough, a number of my friends and family are comparing me to the man you sign off as - I've never watched the show though.

 

[jo172]

I am not one to doubt my own ability. And considering I've excelled at every single thing I've attempted, I've got no reason to start now.

Mate it's law, everyone is like that.

The first thing that all Fresher law students should have to understand is that they are no longer particularly gifted or special, just one of many and no one there is going to be particularly impressed by you.

They're all too busy being impressed by themselves.

 

[deeman12]

I am not one to doubt my own ability. And considering I've excelled at every single thing I've attempted, I've got no reason to start now.

Funnily enough, a number of my friends and family are comparing me to the man you sign off as - I've never watched the show though.

I'm the polar opposite of you in this regard. I generally excel academically and my year 12 cohort lauded me throughout the course of my schooling for bettering them all the time. I achieved well (94.10) and my score sourced a burst of confidence and self-belief. It was only temporary though. I still doubt myself and the fear of failure perpetually engulfs my psyche and mindset. I know I can succeed in anything if I apply myself but that self-doubt always lurks about.

That sounds quite soft and pathetic but it's something I struggle to wriggle off. Any advice on how I can potentially htfu?

 

[rick James]

Mate it's law, everyone is like that.

The first thing that all Fresher law students should have to understand is that they are no longer particularly gifted or special, just one of many and no one there is going to be particularly impressed by you.

They're all too busy being impressed by themselves.

haha yeah I know mate, but that arrogant demeanour is part of what makes people successful in that kind of line of work. There wouldn't be too many shy or humble QC's out there, would there?

 

[rick James]

I'm the polar opposite of you in this regard. I generally excel academically and my year 12 cohort lauded me throughout the course of my schooling for bettering them all the time. I achieved well (94.10) and my score sourced a burst of confidence and self-belief. It was only temporary though. I still doubt myself and the fear of failure perpetually engulfs my psyche and mindset. I know I can succeed in anything if I apply myself but that self-doubt always lurks about.

That's sounds quite soft and pathetic but it's something I struggle to wriggle off. Any advice on how I can potentially htfu?

Honestly mate I think it's better being like that. It means you don't take anything lightly. I have always coasted by on my intelligence and never really put in the work unless I'm really interested in something, which is rare in itself.

At least you'll put the work in.

But I suppose a guy like you probably excels in assignments where the effort over time usually manifests in a good mark. I'm shitful at assignments unless they're group ones, because I hate letting other people down.

But exam situations are suited for me. Everyone has different learning styles, you've just got to play to your strengths and improve on your weaknesses.

And besides, everyone is afraid of failing - why do you think I've been thinking of doing Law for like 3 or 4 years but only finally set the DULSAT in 2009? I finally stopped being worried about failing or what other people thought of me - life is too short for being scared. Just do what you want to do and **** everyone else.

 

[jo172]

haha yeah I know mate, but that arrogant demeanour is part of what makes people successful in that kind of line of work. There wouldn't be too many shy or humble QC's out there, would there?

Believe it or not they've earned it and truly are the best of their field.

Also, you'll find that some humbleness (not being antagonistic) is necassary for their revenue streams.

Basically you're first day ow law school your past counts for shit, ain't nothing wrong with confidence, but if you intend to be overbearing in a room of people as confident and as successful as you you'll be considered a ******** and you won't gain much out of it.

The difference between law school and high school and most other uni courses is that people aren't impressed by intelligence nor shows of knowledge.

They generally are the same or know it as well.

 

[lifelike_]

Mate it's law, everyone is like that.

The first thing that all Fresher law students should have to understand is that they are no longer particularly gifted or special, just one of many and no one there is going to be particularly impressed by you.

They're all too busy being impressed by themselves.

Can confirm. I transferred in, so it didn't really apply to me, but everyone at orientation yesterday was told in no uncertain terms that nobody cares about ENTERs anymore.

It doesn't matter how well you do in Year 12, if you can't adapt to independent study then you're stuffed.

Even last year when I was doing Arts the superiority complexes in some people were still present. There weren't many things more cringeworthy than hearing people still bragging about their ENTERs halfway through first semester.

 

[rick James]

Don't think it will be an issue, I had an ENTER of around 50 way back in like... I can barely remember.

 

[Barry Zuckercorn]

Dont let the knockers deter you Rick. I'm sure you'll be dealing with petty theft and conveyancing matters in no time

 

[The Ascendancy]

Entering 2nd year at Deakin. Law/Commerce double degree.

I agree with what was said earlier- get access to a set of notes and update them using lectures and the textbook to make sure they are up to date.
I found this approach beneficial as opposed to writing your own notes from scratch. Each unit is very long, and writing detailed notes covering everything is very onerous and time-consuming (time that could be spent applying the law to exam questions, which is where a lot of the learning is done in my opinion). However everyone has their own study method and should stick to what works for them individually.

Great thread

 

[rick James]

Dont let the knockers deter you Rick. I'm sure you'll be dealing with petty theft and conveyancing matters in no time

Hell yes. I see you're no longer a QC though? WTF happened?

 

[lifelike_]

This.

Especially in the early years reading the cases will needlessly confuse you!

I'm all new to this, but would writing up a case note for each matter be the best way to go about things?

E.g. focus more on the issues and the reasoning behind decision rather than the specific facts of the case?

I've picked up a book which sets out how to write one, and it looks like a pretty effective means of organising things.

 

[jo172]

I'm all new to this, but would writing up a case note for each matter be the best way to go about things?

E.g. focus more on the issues and the reasoning behind decision rather than the specific facts of the case?

I've picked up a book which sets out how to write one, and it looks like a pretty effective means of organising things.

Honestly, the only cases you need to know in the first two years the lecturer's will tell you all about.

Take their word as gospel (although as most of them have never practiced they're incorrect they're the ones who mark the exam!)

Especially in some of your real core subjects such as Contracts, Torts, Property the really old (as in 19th century) cases will come out so incomprehensibly when you've first started reading cases that you'll be far more confused than when you started!