Author: nlr22

September 28, 2019 – 2:00 PM

Spaced repetition is a fantastic way to avoid the need to relearn everything when you start to prepare for the bar exam, and to cut down on the jitters about having to memorize so many things in such a short study period.

The theory behind spaced repetition is that you refresh your memory just as you’re about to forget something. That timing helps you move content from your short-term memory to your long-term memory.

Anki is a website/computer/mobile app that implements spaced repetition. There are other apps out there – but Anki is the most powerful one I’ve found (and it is virtually free). I’ll give you instructions ahead of time about downloading and installing the software, so we can start right in learning how to create a variety of flash cards.

Questions? Nancy Reeves – nlr22@uakron.edu

Seems like the bar exam was just yesterday – but there’s another one right around the corner! Funny how that happens.

If you’re interested in getting a head start on preparing for February or July bar exams (in any year), the study groups will start back up soon. We meet a few times a week to practice writing essays, tackle subjects you didn’t have room for in your schedule, do multiple choice problems, or write MPTs. (Mostly we write essays – but what we do is up to whoever shows up.)

If you’re interested in attending, please cast your vote in this doodle poll

Click once for “Fantastic day/time!”, click twice for, “Not my favorite, but I could make it work.” We’ll almost certainly have a Saturday group – and one other during the week. (Voting doesn’t mean you’re committing to show up – just expressing an interest in when they are scheduled.)

Questions? Nancy Reeves – nlr22@yahoo.com

One of the components of the Uniform Bar Exam (and most state bar exams) is the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). The test is a closed universe test (you don’t have to know any law), that allows you to demonstrate how well you can perform like a lawyer. It is a deceptively challenging task – and most examinees don’t respect how dificult it is, until it is too late to master the necessary skills.

You have the opportunity to change that!

For the next 2 Saturdays (June 1 & June 8), from 2:00 – 5:00, Academic Success is offering an extended MPT workshop. We’ll tackle three MPTs over the two weekends. You’ll be exposed to the most common tasks (letters, memos, and litigation documents) and at least one uncommon task (drafting interrogatories, writing a will, reviewing a contract or a policy for a customer).

There is homework for the first workshop – a first draft of the March v. Betts MPT (assigned on Friday to the students who are studying for the July bar exam). Let me know if you need a copy.

Sign up here to let me know you’re coming (or to let me know the dates don’t work for you, but you would be interested at a different time).

In addition to the Extended MPT Workshop, we’ll be starting an MPT-of-the-month club. Stay tuned for details!

Questions – nlr22@uakron.edu

Extended Bar Prep Sessions through July (all meet in Room 325 unless otherwise noted):

• Saturday 10:30 – 12:30 – this week Agency
• Saturday 4:00 – 6:00 – Cleveland – Snow Road branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library – this week Contracts
• Mondays 6:30 – 8:30 PM (this week topic up for grabs – what would you like?)
• Wednesdays 2:00 – 4:00 (topic up for grabs – what would you like?) – generally led by Director Armstrong
• Saturdays 10:30 – 12:30 – Room 325 (This week Agency) – generally led by Dean Reeves
• Saturdays 4:00 – 6:00 – Cleveland – Snow Road branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library (This week Contracts) – led by Director Armstrong

Extended bar prep study groups are specifically intended for people studying for the July bar exam – but all are welcome. It is never too early to get started practicing essay writing for the bar exam (and refreshing your recollection of classes you’ve taken)!

Question? nlr22@uakron.edu