Then I realize that I should not look at case reading as a terrible experience and forcefully convinced myself that it should be a pain I ought to be looking forward to. Just enjoy it to the fullest in the same way that I enjoy reading my Facebook timeline or as interesting as stalking my party-mates on IG. From then on, I started viewing this activity as an opportunity to learn about the 'chismis' of strangers' lives. You bet this change in perspective made my life a lot easier!
Do the 'full monty' baby
As a rule, I would read the full text and no, I am not being barbaric to myself. There is something so fulfilling when you know you are not missing out on some useless details in each case. Digests would be helpful if I did them in the first place. I would only look at others digest as a last resort, or in emergency cases. In fact, I seldom join digest groups because, I just find it so limiting.
I think I wrote a post about how to easily find the important points of every case you read. Despite this, I do not discount the power of other peoples digests when the full text is super lengthy or when I have a hard time finding the issues.
How I Do Digests in my brain
Lately, due to other commitments (like partying and doing my hair and makeup on a daily basis), I am unable to spend much time doing case digests. To resolve this, I discovered an easier way to do it, doing brain digests! This is how I do it. Follow at your own risk!
a. Read the case, make a mental note of the important points, facts, issues, rulings. Then I would go over it if there are some points that I forget or clarify.
b. On the day itself, I would skim again and just focus on the main points.
c. If I still have time, I guess by the third skimming, the brain is quite familiar with the important points and that's it. Digest in my brain, no sweat!
Whys
1) I don't have much time
The thing is, digesting or summarizing cases takes time when you have to read then do an outline, and put it in writing or encode it. For the past year, I have done my case readings either the day or night before a class. I do not get the hardcopy, I just make do with the online version because you save on ink and paper by doing so.
2) I'm not rich enough to have a secretary or PA to gather my notes into an intelligible and organized whole
For one, I am not really good at note taking. I get distracted when I take notes. I don't even have a proper notebook or note taking system. Aside from the distraction, even if I get myself some notepad, I would either forget or lose it so what's the point?
Come exam time, somehow my brain retains those bits of digest. In some weird twist I can recall infos and issues. It works for me. Mind you, I am just an average student, I just find a way to learn things differently by trial and error method. I guess you just have to find a way that will make it easier for you to survive your case assignments. This is mine.
Nevertheless, one of these days, I might get down and gather all these cases in my head to add to the case digest section of this blog for those emergency times, you know. If you find this post enlightening or worth sharing don't be shy to share it in your social media or just click on the 'Follow' button on my Google+ located in the upper right side of this page, believe me, it would be the best decision you have ever made in your entire day. ;P
