Thread by @JamesJSChai

Many ask for exam tips & Law is hardest to get 1st Class. I’ll share general tips to cope, and law-specific ones. Share with those who need:

1. Problem Qs: the secret is ‘look for what is hidden’ to stand out. Facts normally in grey areas, apply case to follow or distinguish facts

2. After applying case law to facts, question your initial assumptions, let examiners know you can see the dilemma needed to be considered.

3. Answering Problem Q is like submitting a case to a judge. State precedents the judges ought to follow, and difficulties judge will face.

4. Details. Start by memorising case principles, then case names & year, then name of court, judge’s name, and what s/he said. In that order

5. Essay Qs: the secret is depth of arguments. This is ideal: Strongest argument -> Strongest rebuttal -> Strongest counter-rebuttal.

6. In Essay Qs, always give examples, it’s the quickest way to persuade examiners. And use sub-headings. Make it easy for the examiners.

7. Essay Qs: the academic’s opinion & year is your lifeline. You need to know this well enough, and at least one in every sentence is ideal.

8. Make revision timetable early. Make it realistic. Discipline of following timetable is better than giving up because it’s too unrealistic

9. Try to eat healthy and clean. Eat 2 half-boiled eggs in the morning, light meals, less spicy and fried food. Reduce chance of sickness.

10. Take snacks that are good for your brain. Nuts are always good, but don’t overeat. Drink lots of water. Pee every other hour.

11. Do 30-minute exercise of any kind. Stretching, running, or even flinging your arms. Make time for this, you need to clear your mind.

12. ‘Learning is never comfortable; unease is part of learning’. If it feels painful revising then you’re on the right path. You’re growing.

13. If stress gets overwhelming, do this: inhale deep breaths, hold for 10 seconds, exhale. Meditate or pray if it works. Or talk to Mom.

14. If stress gets overwhelming, remember that Karpal Singh took 7 years to graduate, and he became one of the best lawyers in the country.

15. If stress gets overwhelming, know that while getting a First Class is difficult, failing is quite difficult too if you tried hard.

16.Trick your mind. Smile so that your nervous system relaxes, and pose like Superman with hands tucked on your waist to feel confident.

17. Don’t be afraid to take naps. Exam is a brain game. Take 26 minutes of nap, so you won’t feel groggy or oversleep.

18. If you have an Afternoon exam, avoid too much rice for lunch. It makes you sleepy and tired. Eat bread/noodles/pasta. Or just less rice.

19. Don’t drink too much water right before the exam. Just take a sip right before you start. You’re not thirsty, just nervous.

20. After exam, NEVER discuss it with your friends or find out ‘answers’. Finish, go back, nap, prepare the next exam without negativity.

21. When your friends want to discuss post-exam, tell them politely that you prefer not to. And don’t ask others to make them feel bad.

22. Remember to work hard. The harder you work, the sweeter you’ll feel after it’s over. But never lose hope, leave some room for miracles.

23. It’s NEVER over. The one you think you did your worst in might turn out to be your best, vice versa. Happens to me all the time.

24. I was convinced that my Company Law paper was the worst of all 3 years, but in the end I got the highest in class. It’s NEVER over.

25. Examiners are more forgiving than you know. If you have structure and a clear intention of trying, they’ll be on your side.

26. Remember to be kind. It’s stressful, but no one’s fault. The measure of character is whether you can be kind even when it’s stressful.

27. Whatever happens finally, congratulate yourself, you did well. None of this is easy, you made it through. This is what belief feels like

28. Write thank-you notes. Count your blessings.

29. Achievement = Hard Work + Skills + Luck

You can control the first two. But remember there's A LOT of luck involved. Go easy on yourself

30. This is how my revision timetable looked like during the exam season.