HelMurf wrote: » Hi y'all! I want to know whether people would recommend the FE1 prep course for Constitutional Law at Independent Colleges (given by Veronica McInerney) or whether the Constitutional course given by Brendan Foley at City Colleges would be better? So far I'm leaning towards enrolling in Brendan's course as I've heard he's a good lecturere but using the Independent Colleges manual as their manuals are generally better drafted than those from City. Any thoughts or advice here would be much appreciated!
amomcnico91 wrote: » Hey everyone. Would I be absolutely crazy taking Tort and Constitutional in this sitting. The exams take place consecutively this year and I've heard they're demanding subjects.
amomcnico91 wrote: » I'll be sitting Company aswell - and they're on one after the other, no break - Although I did Property EU and Contract consecutively last sitting and passed them all. Maybe I'll give it a go - feel it might be a bit risky to leave one of them in my final sitting, perhaps give myself the opportunity to repeat if the exam doesn't go my way first time around.
clocks wrote: » I found it hard to unwind and do last minute preparation for a paper the next day. Whereas a 3-5 day gap is quite significant and allows one to immerse oneself totally in a subject. What do people think generally about spacing out the papers ?
HelMurf wrote: » Hi corkres1989, thanks for your response, yep the quality of the videos is an important factor to take into account! City Colleges confirmed (today) that Brendan will be teaching Constitutional so I would still consider taking this particular class with him (but take the remaining 3 modules with Independent) because I've heard that he's a better lecturer than Veronica in Independent. But on the other hand, the manuals in Independent seem to better quality so I'm really just trying to weigh up these 2 factors in deciding which college to go with. If you or anyone else would have any further insights here it would be great. Thanks, Helena.
sophiehatter wrote: » I personally thought that the Independent Constitutional Manual was pretty unreadable, explained in an overly complicated way, while missing out important updates and info. It varies by topic. I never used any other college's manuals so I don't know if this was better or worse than most. I did however pass Constitutional this time around relying mainly on the manual and a nutshell.
legaleagle2010 wrote: » ADVICE PLEASE !! I'm working in a firm full time for the past 14 years as a Legal Executive. I have a diploma in legal studies (2007) and a Honours Degree in Business Studies (2015) I am considering the FE1's but I want to remain working full time (for financial reasons). My boss also wants me to do them and is very supportive. Is there anybody on here that has done this? What amount of study is needed ? What was your approach to getting the exams and passing? What subjects to do first time? and finally, is it do-able when working full time? Thank you in advance
Rebelgirl87 wrote: » It is do able l worked full time & sat 5 in March. You will have to be committed to studying after work, weekends & any spare time you have. If you feel like your are under pressure to find the time to give them your full attention l would suggest sitting 3 or 4 & give yourself the best possible chance. If you are planning to sit them in October l would suggest you start the studying now. Hope this is of some help!
OfficeGirl2015 wrote: » DO IT!! I worked in my firm for 8 years and just passed the final four FE1s. I continued to work full-time and took no study time off before exams. It's hard work but totally worth it. I learned the manuals through the diploma in law with the law society and then straight to fe1s. Study every spare second. I picked my four favourite for the first, property, constitutional, company and contract, and then the remainder. I honestly think it's personal preference as opposed to easy /hard modules. For the 8 weeks prior to exams I studied every lunch hour and after work 7-10 every night and sat/Sun 12-8. I found relearning the manuals and reducing eventually to index cards worked for me, not doing sample questions or learning set answers but each person is different and, again, it's down to personal preference. It's completely doable- go for it!!! The very best of luck fellow Exec!!!!
legaleagle2010 wrote: » What subjects did you sit Rebelgirl? Did you do a preparatory course?
OfficeGirl2015 wrote: » Thank you Officegirl When did you do the Diploma, i finished my last studies in Law in 2007 Can you tell me a bit about your study regime? Is there an exam / answer technique?
Monkey09 wrote: » Hi Officegirl, Thanks very much for all your helpful advice! I'm planning to sit 5 in October - and it's good to hear that these exams really are do-able, and there's light at the end of the tunnel. Do you mind me asking what kind of hours you were studying prior to the 8 weeks exam lead-up? I'm just trying to get an idea of the kind of hours that are required to get through these exams. And just in relation to the exams, were you confident enough after all of them that you had made it past the magic 50? Thanks again for all the great advice - it's great to talk to someone that has them all behind them!
OfficeGirl2015 wrote: » Before the 8 weeks, I had done the Diploma in Law in the Law Society. So running through the chapters, watching the lectures, and doing sample questions at the end. I think if you have already done a refresher course/ preparation course you could just run into the 8 weeks. If you are doing this without a course I would say you will need to be disciplined and set yourself a timetable. Every person is different and every day is different. Some days, I could learn 2, 3 chapters in one 3 hour sitting and other days I would struggle through a half chapter in a 3 hour sitting. You have to find your own average. The most important thing is to understand the topic. Know it enough so that you could explain it in laymens terms to another person - thats when you have it. worry about caselaw or legislation after that. I was never as confident enough going in/out of the exams as I would like to be because you really do not know what to expect. Some I thought I did really well on, and others I was convinced I hadnt done enough. I think it depends on the pressure you put yourself under and your ability to cope with the stress. I had a total meltdown before Equity, forgot everything, refused to get in my car, the works!! Eventually went in, sat the exam and thought I did so badly. I was more shocked than anyone when I came out with a 62. The universal truth in these exams is that you can never tell. What the specific examiner is looking for, how he wants it outlaid and of course, how specific your answer is to the question actually asked. I would be happy to help you along in any way I can. And of course, the BEST of luck with your studying going forward!
law_student1 wrote: » Hi guys, just a quick question. Would 2015 manuals and lectures suffice for Tort, constitutional and EU or would buying 2016 versions be advisable? Thanks!
clocks wrote: » 2015 is fine. I used manuals dating from 2014 in the most recent session without any problem. The recommended reading for the syllabus lists textbooks published as much as ten or 15 years ago. You can always check up the most recent Judgements on the Curia's website or Bailii. You don't need to buy the football team's new jersey just because they changed it...
