Why working harder may NOT be the solution to improving your grades ??
Students on the BPTC & LPC are now approaching the stage where they are handing in work for formal feedback. Some students will be happy with their feedback and grades, others will be disappointed. ?? What do you do if you don’t get the grade you wanted?
Work harder? ??
?? Before you think about simply putting in more hours at the library YOU NEED to THINK:
1. Did I spend enough time doing my LEGAL RESEARCH?
2. Did I follow the instructions and COMPLETE the CORRECT task[s]?
3. Do I UNDERSTAND MY FEEDBACK?
4. Do I know HOW to USE my formal Feedback in future work?
5. Am I Still CONFUSED? ??
DID I SPEND ENOUGH TIME DOING MY LEGAL RESEARCH?
No lawyer can do a good job without understanding the law. If you misunderstood or got confused with the core law, you need to go back to your LEGAL RESEARCH.
?? START with understanding the fundamental principles.
?? THEN develop your understanding of the exceptions to the general norms.
?? ADVANCE to the complex areas last.
ANSWER YES ?
You need to spend MORE TIME working in the library on your legal research.
DID I FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND COMPLETE THE CORRECT TASKS?
You cannot score high marks if you have not READ & FOLLOWED your INSTRUCTIONS. If you are asked to advise on liability and quantum, an opinion on liability is only half the job!
ANSWER NO ?
If you haven’t followed your instructions. This is an IMPORTANT LESSON you should NOT forget or REPEAT.
DO I UNDERSTAND MY FEEDBACK?
?? Formal feedback should be written in a style that you can understand.
?? You should have examples from your work of what you did wrong.
?? YOU should have a clear explanation of what you need to do to improve.
?? Take time to READ YOUR FEEDBACK CAREFULLY AND REFLECT. Too often students skim read or just look at the final comment.
?? RE-READ/ RE-PLAY your work or advocacy performance
?? RE-READ/ REPLAY again this time LOOKING FOR THE FEEDBACK COMMENTS
?? if you don’t understand the feedback …TIME TO GET HELP. GO to your subject TUTOR AND DISCUSS YOUR FEEDBACK.
DO I KNOW HOW TO USE MY FORMAL FEEDBACK IN FUTURE WORK?
This is where many students struggle. If YOU don’t know how to implement the formal feedback you will struggle to improve even if you work harder.
?? FIRST TRY to complete a NEW PIECE OF WORK using the formal feedback comments.
?? EMAIL the NEW & FEEDBACK EXERCISE TO YOUR SUBJECT TUTOR
?? BOOK an Appointment to DISCUSS your work - if you don’t see an improvement your tutor should be able to show where and why you still are not implementing the FEEDBACK COMMENTS.
A SHORT MEETING with your TUTOR may be all YOU need to get you back on track. SOMETIMES it is just easier for someone to show you what you need to do rather than read feedback. ??
AM I STILL CONFUSED?
Some students just don’t know where to start. Being HONEST is the first place. If YOU ARE CONFUSED by the whole process and don’t understand your feedback and how to use it in the future, then START HERE.
?? OWN it NOW and GET SOME HELP. ??
?? COMPLETE stage 1-3 above
?? BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR SUBJECT TUTOR.
?? Once YOU have spoken to your TUTOR COMPLETING STAGE 4
?? THEN GO BACK to your subject TUTOR (Visit No.2) and discuss your improved work ??
?? NOW YOU CAN WORK HARDER & SMARTER ?? ??
Suzanne Reece www.inspiredtostudy.org
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