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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To believe at almost 40 I can do this...

41 replies

Sprinkles212 · 13/01/2019 18:17

Evening all,

Some background information. I am a single Mum to 3 kids
I am in my final year of a law degree, (LLB) and am almost done with my first assessment period of this academic year.
I have a final exam next week before my second and LAST semester will begin at the end of this month.
This exam next week is 'closed book' meaning you cannot take in any notes or books of any kind, you've got to have it all in your head.
On the day you sit down and are presented with 6 different problem questions on the specific area of law (Commercial Law in this case) and are then expected to unpick the scenario which usually has 10 different characters with 20 different potential legal issues and the odd red herring thrown in.
You are supposed to remember all relevant case law (names of the parties involved and the year the case was decided) and the legislation that applies so I am dealing with the Companies Act 2006 that has over 1000 different sections in it....

Am I being unreasonable to want to sit and cry because I am at this stage unable to remember a THING??! I am almost 40 and so bloody tired. I know there are people out there far worse off than me but I am feeling very much like I was crazy to do this degree which in itself is crazy because I'm almost at the end, I will be finished in May and graduating in July!!

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with closed book exams? My mind just goes blank when I get in there and we have 2 hours to answer these awful essay style, problem scenario questions....

OP posts:
SkinnyPete · 13/01/2019 18:39

Have you asked for help?

Either with the kids, or study help? You might not be able to totally improve your position, but you'll give yourself the best chance.

If you've got someone in your study group that's nearby that can come over and study, so that. If you can ask someone in the family/friends to come over and help, do that. You don't have to do it all on your own, especially when it comes to the crunch.

Amummyatlast · 13/01/2019 18:40

While problem questions are standard (and most student prefer them to essay questions), 10 people in one scenario with 20 legal issues is highly unusual. The Companies Act is huge and you can’t (and I expect are not) be required to memorise all of the sections. A number of them are only relevant to specific situations or aspects of company/commercial law that are rarely tested in law degree exams.

Do you have a syllabus for the course? This would usually set out the area you can be expect to be tested on. This, in conjunction with the learning materials you have been given, should help you identify key areas to focus on.

Sprinkles212 · 13/01/2019 19:25

Thank you both.

Unfortunately we have no family around whatsoever and my STBXH is very involved in his own life. He sees our children once a month for a few hours on a set date and does no overnight or holidays with them. He feels that because he supports them fully financially (which he does) he does not need to be around for anything else. He has even stated that the once a month is more of a box tick exercise for him rather than a necessity to see his children.

They are now all in full time school (youngest is 5) but everything that is required from homework, Dr's, growing issues (eldest has just hit the puberty wall) - just everything normal and family life related is down to me and me alone.
I have been studying for 3 years and am thus far on track to graduate with a first class degree in law with a view to doing the LPC straight after and then training to become a Solicitor (I know TC's are like gold dust but I am determined) so that I can always look after myself and my children, no matter what life throws at us.

I know I have come really far and with my final year being over this May, I am almost there but I am just so damn tired, brain tired and I'm sat here revising and wanting to cry! I just wanted to know if anyone had any tips for efficient information retention for my tired old brain....

Here's an example of one of the scenarios for my Land Law exam that took place last year:

In September 2014, couples Philip and Elizabeth, Tony and Margaret, and Charles and Diana, purchased the freehold to Windsor Cottage, a small three bedroom house. Margaret was 17 years old at the time. The three couples each contributed the same amount to the purchase. They did their own conveyancing and the property was conveyed to them with a declaration that they were all to hold the property equally. The property was then correctly registered at HM Land Registry.
In January 2015, Philip’s business was failing and in financial difficulties. To raise capital, Philip mortgaged his share of Windsor Cottage to Charles. The mortgage was agreed orally.
In March 2016, the couple’s relationships started to deteriorate. Elizabeth was particularly unhappy and sent a letter to the Cottage stating that she wanted to stop being a joint tenant instantly. Tony took delivery of the letter, but he forgot to tell the others, instead simply placing the letter in the shared kitchen. The letter was then thrown away with a large pile of junk mail. Unfortunately, in April 2016, Elizabeth suffered a brain aneurism and died. Elizabeth left a will leaving all her property to Margaret.
In September 2017, upset by all the disagreements between the group, Diana visited a solicitor who advised her that she should tell the rest of the group that she no longer wanted to be a joint tenant. That evening, Diana facetimed the whole group and informed them of this. Everyone nodded their head. In December 2017, Charles and Philip were in a serious car accident and died. Both left all their assets to Tony.
In February 2018, Tony and Margaret started arguing and by April of that year, they had split up. That month Tony contacted Margaret stating that he wanted to buy her share in Windsor Cottage. Margaret refused, asking for £5000 more than Tony offered. Tony refused this offer and told her to forget about it. Margaret moved out the next day.
A week later, Margaret died of a heart attack. She left all her assets to Diana.

That is very typical of problem style exam questions on a law degree.

OP posts:
QwertyLou · 13/01/2019 22:24

OP I was a law student many years ago and I understand your stress. You can do this though! I promise. I can’t write too much right now as just off to work (as a lawyer, see - I did it and you can too) Flowers

Take a deep breath and remember, everyone else is in the same boat as you. You can do it!!

DailyMailDontStealMyThread · 13/01/2019 22:27

You can do it! Of course you can. Dissect life like you would an exam questions and just go for it.

PedunculatedPolp · 13/01/2019 22:54

Can you do notes and then condensed down to trigger words on a spider diagram? I think that was the best for memory. Chew gum in the exam as that triggers memory. Smell different smells when studying and smell them on your arms as that triggers memory. Put it all on an audio and listen as you go to sleep as apparently it goes in to your brain as you sleep.

You can do it.....good luck....

justilou1 · 14/01/2019 06:56

Holy crap! I am so proud of you! You have held so much together under so much duress with no help at all. Where do you hide your cape? You can do this last little bit! (Because you know you have to, and you can!!!)

proseccoaficionado · 14/01/2019 07:08

Ihhhhhhhh, law school memories coming!

OP, you're SO CLOSE to actually doing it. And with children?! You're bloody amazing

Betsy86 · 14/01/2019 07:17

You are amazing op do not give up!!!

BriocheBriocheBrioche · 14/01/2019 07:26

I absolutely believe you can do this. Information will come flooding back once you get in to the swing of the paper, it’s just that initial mind block that’s hard to overcome.

Not half as complex as Law but I studied Psychology where we had to include names and dates of studies to back up everything we said in exams.
I always found doing large A4 coloured spider diagrams/mind maps to be the easiest way to remember these little details.
I’d colour code them in beautifully and once done, stick them on my wall.
I found it easier to recall the information by visualising the mind map I’d made.

Good luck to you.

BriocheBriocheBrioche · 14/01/2019 07:26

A3 sorry!

BriocheBriocheBrioche · 14/01/2019 07:27

A3 sorry!

DreadlocksMadeMeHappy · 14/01/2019 07:31

You need rote learning tricks. Memory association skills so, for example I work in food law.

I remember it all by patterns

Ch1, para 1 floors, walls ceilings
Ch 1, para 2 good design and construction

And so on. I just kept writing it out and going over and over it.

Would something like that help?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/01/2019 07:33

Mind maps are a good way - look for connections. If you aren't sure where to start - write postcards with key bits of infos on them. Then put the postcards out on the floor and start grouping and arranging them and seeing links between them. Just move them around until you form a pattern.

Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 14/01/2019 07:35

Good luck you can do it!

Practically either do batch cook or buy in ready meals and don’t bother cleaning this week.

In the exam used rough paper but set it out neatly
I use “thinking paper” which is a brain dump then write up into rough notes

dentydown · 14/01/2019 07:41

Sorry op, might not be any use. I’m autistic and would hate a wordy problem like that. I would extract all the facts out and put them on a piece of note paper.
Note down the names, ages and deaths at the top.
Then make a one or two word time line.
Just so you have facts rather than a story.
Currently it reads like final destination! Once you get the facts out it’s easier.

QuaterMiss · 14/01/2019 07:50

Hmm ...

Well, yes, of course you can do it. Your results so far clearly indicate that.

However, your unbelievably lengthy posts do suggest you're getting bogged down and (probably through exhaustion!) have temporarily lost the knack of prioritising and discerning what is important. (Which is a skill I seem to remember as being rather vital in the study of Law ...)

Usually throwing everything into an answer would suggest a lack of understanding - but if you're on track for a first you obviously do understand the material ...

ResistanceIsNecessary · 14/01/2019 08:04

Wow you are amazing!

I'm midway through a professional qualification that has similar (but not so demanding as a LLB!) memory requirements. Two things have really helped me so far - mind mapping and index cards.

Mind mapping is the 'spider web' plan; the theme or topic or question is central, then the first branches (or legs!) are the main issues - the sub-branches from each of them are more detailed. The idea being that the basic info you put on it, will help remind you of the details you need to know. So when you see the question in the exam, you can sketch out the mind map and then keep referring back to it as you write out your answer proper.

There was a case law element to my qualification although obviously not as involved as yours! I found index cards for the key cases were really helpful, as you can use them flash-card style to help you memorise the details and also any topics with which they are commonly associated.

Good luck. You can do this. You're feeling overwhelmed because you are tired, you're near the end and all you can see is the magnitude of what's in front of you. Break it down into bite sized chunks.

MinnieMul7 · 14/01/2019 08:05

You can do this!

Is it your first closed book exam? if not, use the techniques you used previously.

I have a first class law degree and am now a solicitor. I found the best way to revise was to write the cases out over and over again until I remembered them and then lots of practice papers. I also had little things I did before every exam, fish for tea the night before, banana and chocolate for breakfast and I slept with my notes under my pillow.

Everyone is different though so just find what works well for you and stick to it!

OneStepMoreFun · 14/01/2019 08:07

You can do this.
Can you sit at home at night and write down all the things you DO know from scenarios of your own devising?
Can you try to dream up some questions rather than answers,as this might help you clarify what strengths you have and what pitfalls and loopholes you already know.
Are there past papers or legal exam forums which discuss these things? (You don;t want to go down a forum rabbit hole as that could be scary, but if you can find one clear-headed wise soul whose done it before and likes giving advice, that could help.)

Would your charming Hmm ex not be persuaded by you saying that you are doing this to be financially less of a burden on him and you're more likely to succeed if he steps in and parents his own children during the the toughest weeks.

If you ever drink in the evening, don't. Your head will clear and you'll have more energy.

Before you go into the exam, a small fresh coffee and a strong peppermint will help your brain feel sharp.

And remember: you won't know everything. Just show them what you do know. If in doubt, mention something that may need checking. Loads of high street lawyers I know say: I need to check on this They don;t keep it all in their heads. The only ones I know who keep the law in their heads are Magic Circle geniuses on zillions a year.

IDismyname · 14/01/2019 08:07

Also, prioritise sleep! Brain works much better and assimilates info much better.
Interesting section in good book by Matthew Walker on Sleep. Once you’ve leant information, sleep properly that night. Information will get absorbed by the brain.

You sound awesome OP! Good Luck.

RobinHobb · 14/01/2019 08:09

OP
Didn’t want to read and run but you see currently my new hero. Look at how far you’ve done! On a track to a first class degree as a single parent to three kids! I am barely find time to shower (although my little ones are toddlers tbf). But take a deep breath. Exams are stressful, I don’t know what else to say except that I’m also hoping to do a degree when the kids are a bit older and hope I get there too :-)

Racecardriver · 14/01/2019 08:09

Where are you doing your degree? Most law schools permit you to take in a statute book. And move at least doesn’t require you to cite the year (although it is important to have an idea of chronology of cases and which courts they were decided in for obvious reasons). The only thing I can say to encourage you is that it is practically impossible to fail. I once sat a criminal law exam without ever attending a lecture/buying a book and only studying two topics when I had to answer questions on three. I still got a lower second on that exam. It’s impisdibke to fail a law degree unless you have done absolutely nothing.

RobinHobb · 14/01/2019 08:10
  • you see = you are Not sure what’s going on with the typos! Good luck!!!
Silkie2 · 14/01/2019 08:10

I think anxiety affects your brain and although the info is there the anxiety makes you think it's not. I would try to sit and meditate for say 10 mins a day or twice a day. I know it feels like it's making things worse as you are sitting around when you feel you should be revising but calming your brain would be a good thing to try.