Monday 15 March 2010

Same but Different

Well, that's another 2 exams ticked off the list.

There's a theme emerging here. The last 4 exams have all been quite different to the work that we have come across in the BVC classes. The Drafting and Opinion Writing were different. As was the Negotiation and the Advocacy. Come to think of it, the Civil MCT wasn't exactly familair territory either.

Something tells me that provider wants to see that we can 'think outside of the box' (I know, I hate the expression too but couldn't think of an alternative). The thing is and in a nutshell, we can't. We enjoy being comforted each month by the predictable nature of the classes; it makes us feel quite clever; almost like we know what we are doing. And then they go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like I love you giving us a different type of THING for the exam. It's not big and it's not clever, so stop it. Don't you know that the most important thing about being a barrister is being a pompous know it all (who knows nowt)?

As you may have guessed, today I feel both shaken AND stirred by recent events.

Not sure when the results are out; there are delays (and as far as I'm concerned, the longer the better).

Enjoyed my Options classes, but felt a bit of a space cadet because my mind was on the exams. It didn't go unnoticed by one tutor, who expects more next time. Don't we all:-)

So, just 1 more compulsory exam and 2 options exams and hey presto, that's it, unless of course there are any fails and subsequent re-takes. No rest for the wicked at the moment. There's quite a bit of work to do for the next classes in 2 weeks, and of course, the last of the compulsory exams - advocacy 3, which is cross-examination.

I definitely don't feel myself today, if only I were American I could seek therapy, but alas I shall have to make do with chatting things over with Bar-Os this evening.




18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, I think there is a theme emerging here. Out of the last four assessments I feel as if I could only have passed one at the most right now! I think my biggest worry is advocacy, which was completely weird. I also think I might have "done" (?) a fatal flaw (i.e., my performance was fatally flawed). Right now I'm not sure whether it's the fact of failing that will bother me (
although that will not assist me in my chosen career!) so much as the thought of doing it all again. The very thought of it makes me want to speak on the big white telephone...

Barmaid said...

Anon - I think the advocacy had a few clangers in it. Not quite sure what to make of it? Oh well, time will tell. There was one person who I didn't want as my examiner - yup you've guessed it, I got that person - grrrrrrrrrrr.

Good luck!

AW said...

The British seem to be taking up therapy too... its quite popular these days! I know my Law School had a team of counsellors...

Michael said...

How about, 'to think laterally' as an alternative to 'outside the box'? Far less offensive! :p

Well done on surviving another 2 hideous exams.... the end is in sight, eh? :D

Swiss Tony said...

BM, Have you tried practicing your advocacy to Hercules? I imagine as you ask questions he will shake his head, stamp his foot and fart. Bit like most examiners in my experience.

I think you need to take a different approach to the Advocacy 3. Ditch the silly voice that sounds like a Clanger, stop uhmming and arghing, and for goodness sake put some clothes on.

It worked for me and my grades all improved.

Swizzle

Barmaid said...

Oh Swizzle, you've made me feel so much better, if only from the point of view that there is another Bar student who is equally as deranged as me:-)

Anonymous said...

Hey

Dont worry whats done is done. plus, you'll be surprised i'm sure it didnt go as bad as you think. just focus on the rest, and dont let this effect the others.

oh and stay well away from swiss he sounds absolutely mental

katie

Anonymous said...

Bar Maid

You will have done brilliantly i am sure and will be flouting your sterling effort in a mere matter of months when called!

Barmaid said...

Alas, I fear that I may have boobed in the advocacy - failed to challenge W on something she slipped into her evidence.

Swiss Tony said...

BM, If you 'boobed' in Advocacy, it was down to not having your clothes on. Get it sorted because the other students are complaining.

Feeling slightly annoyed that anonymous Katie thinks I should be avoided, although had she added an exclamation mark at the end I would have felt quite proud. Punctuation is important to get right.

Still, next teaching weekend at CofL we are doing reading, and teacher is going to read us 'What Katie did at school' I can't wait to see what she did. I bet its worse than anything you have done BM. For Easter, we have to read 'What Katie did next' I bet that's going to be a riveting story!

(Note the punctuation!)

Swizzle stick

Michael said...

I'm quite taken with the idea of BM doing her advocacy assessment naked... I'd pay good money to see that! :D What about doing a re-run for the 'sphere, BM? ;-)

And I've got a conspiracy theory about the anonymous 'Katie'... I think she's the alter-ego of a former (or possibly current) member of the 'sphere, deliberately using poor puntuation to try and put us off the scent. Any takers?

Or 'she' might just be Uni Loony in a dress :-/

Anonymous said...

Hi

Swiss that was actually a compliment! (Are you happy now!). I'm sorry that you felt 'annoyed' but i think you're fantastic, in a 'weird' sort of way.

Still, reading 'What Katie did at school' or 'What Katie did next' won't be fun so you should just avoid the classes altogether, for she didn't do very much!

Anyway, hope you are feeling better Barmaid?

katie

Swiss Tony said...

Anonymous Katie,

I love you too!

Glad you have belatedly used some exclamation marks, which is always a good thing for me. I had said 'slightly' annoyed, but as you are a girlie, and think I am weird, all is forgiven!

Swiss xx

Barmaid said...

Michael - I'm sorry but to 'think laterally' is equally as offensive as the box thing. Believe me, you would be throwing away your hard earned cash to watch neked advocacy ala Barmaid - just too many wobbly bits I'm afraid.

As for you Swizzle - my blog isn't a free dating site you know! Flirting with Katie *tut*! Note the punctuation!!!

LG and Katie - thanks for the kind words. Time will tell I suppose.

barboy said...

Maid, we all had you down as deranged from the get-go. If you now also know as much, this education malarkey must be doing you some good. £15K well spent, though ?

barboy said...

Katie, for goodness sake, don't encourage him. Swiss's nascient Bar career won't survive another restraining order.

A woman once told him he was witty, handsome and clever. Unfortunately, Swiss has never come to understand that all mums say that.

Anonymous said...

Hey

Maid, do you talk to your partner about you're worries? Its just if you carry on talking to Bar-Os he's going to end up needing a therapist himself by the end of it!

I think i need a therapist, the dissertation is driving me crazy!

Oh and Barboy, it wasn't me. Swiss just got the wrong end of the stick! lol

Katie

Swiss Tony said...

Bar Boy,

You know that Barristers always get to the truth. It wasn't any woman that said I was witty, handsome and clever. Be honest, it was you. Admittedly it was after dining, and you were more drunk than a bird in Hull on a Saturday night, but you can't blame my Mum for it. She always just called me a snotty nosed brat.

BarMaid, if you set up a blog purporting to dispense legal knowledge and the experiences of the BVC, you shouldn't veer towards encouraging its use as a dating site. Swiss was just using the facilities on offer.

Anonymous Katie, what can Swiss say? He is smitten. Head over heels with it all.

Swizz