I take requests now!

Due to feedback from some of my readers; I am addressing a point one of my friends made. Mohammed Alarifi; my colleague in 3rd year LLB Law has asked what my opinion were with regards to exams. Well my thoughts on this subject isn't exactly original; but still, might as well vent it out.

As a whole I think exams are flawed. It's become more of a memory test than a test of knowledge. If I wanted a memory test, I'd whip out my Nintendo DSi and play some Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training. But since I don't at this point in time, the impending exams are a bit of a burden. Don't get me wrong, exams do have their merits. It's like peeling off a band-aid (or "plaster" as my girlfriend keeps reminding me.... "we aint in America sweet-heart"). In comparison to coursework; exams are quick to get over and done with. Coursework on the other hand drags on and saps your time.

Sure, coursework can be easy at times and you can leave it till closer to the deadline (though not too close mind you), but during those few weeks in between the set date and the days in which you actually work on it, it just sticks at the back of your head. Making you feel a tad guilty about not doing it. Or maybe that's just me.

I used to prefer exams due to the facts stated above. I could revise for it a few days before and still come out with As. But oh boy was I wrong with that attitude. Ever since A-levels I learnt my lesson (get it; "lesson"....hahahaha...ha..ha.....ha....sorry). Exams are not to be messed with. I've grown accustomed to coursework more. It felt like it was a much more accurate portrayal of what I know. The self-guilt tripping thing my mind seems to do is easily outweighed by the fact that coursework is just easier and less stressful to tackle.

Paul G,
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Easter Scrambles

With exams looming in; a majority of my Easter is spent studying and doing dissertation. Despite the fact that lecturers are not running sessions over the Easter break; a few other students and I have been going into the University practically every day of the week for at least 5 hours of straight study. That's more hours than some days of regular Uni.

Needless to say; I got some work done. Dissertation is up and running, "super-notes" of a couple of my modules are completed and there is only a couple of modules left to do. These notes are concise versions of the everything you need to know for each exam. This is derived from the known topics which are going to be featured in the exam (we wouldn't want to waste precious memory space on information that will not come up now; do we?) I then set it out in a format that is easy to understand and I employ diagrams if a concept is too complicated to explain in words.

What I normally do with these documents is to disseminate them to as many fellow colleagues as I can. That way; it helps them too. I seem to have received possessive feedback on my previous super-notes last year. I even saw multiple students gripping copies of the knowledge I somehow cobbled together in the few hours prior to the exam. It's satisfying to walk into the ICT suit to see several students benefiting from your work; then proceeding to the social learning space to see even more.


And I intend to recreate that again. The notes I have prepared consists of each topic being condensed to about a page and a half of A4. This way; the information is easier to absorb. It's worked well for me so far!

Paul G,
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Easter Break Blues

With Easter Break hitting the uni-students' calendars, there are still plenty of things left to do and not allot of time to do it in. As a 3rd year, I have to use this break to do 1 more piece of coursework, wrap up my dissertation and prepare for 4 exams. Thats alot to handle and leaving it to the last minute is a bad idea. a VERY bad idea.

Thankfully, I just finished my coursework yesterday and I have done plenty of research for my dissertation. Ive started pulling it all together into one coherent article today and so far; its looking good. I got to write about Pac-Man IN my dissertation. I also get to talk about YouTubers who cover gaming. It doesnt get any better than that. Though I fear that I may get tired of writing the words "video game culture" after a while, so far I'm really enjoying it :)

The way dissertations are set out in this Uni is really great. At the start of 3rd year, you get a list of supervisors and their broad specialities (each one usually has about 4-6). Then it is up to you to decide what to pick and what precisely about that topic do you wish to write your piece about. For me; it was Copyright Law with regards to video game content. I am so glad that I picked my supervisor for his speciality. Its advisable that you dont pick one purely because you like him/her ;)


Paul G,
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LinkedIn Loaded

I have recently been enlightened with the importance of LinkedIn. Its another way for you to build your network. And as a student trying to start a legal career; networking is key. It pays to watch an advert in front of YouTube videos. That, coupled with encouragement from professionals has convinced me into giving my profile more love.

So I've spent a fair  bit of time trying to understand the inner workings of the site. It was confusing at first but I think I've got it sorted. So unless I'm missing some fundamental function; my profile is pretty much complete. Now it's time for a shameless plug. Should you want to check out my profile, you can visit https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=293814218&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile . I apologise for that, but that had to be done :) hope you don't mind.

Anyway, I'd advice you to start using it as it seems like a worth while investment of your time. That's of course if you are not already on it. As the advert described it; it's your CV that never sleeps. So where's the harm in that?