Should I Create Outlines? Flashcards?

Another question posted on All4jds.com:
            
"Does anyone actually create outlines? I don't see what the point is, since BarBri gives you outlines. Wouldn't it smarter to make flash cards or something? Just wondering if I'm missing something."

This is a great question and the answer to this question is different for everyone.  If you study well by outlining or making flashcards, thats great, do it. But lets approach this another way.

Assume for a moment, you're going to keep up with the BarBri pace program.  The pace program is a great program to assure you are getting enough practice in essays, multiple choice and MPTs.  The pace program is intensive and most people fall off the wagon - quickly.  Thats not to say its impossible to follow, but life doesn't always go as planned.

Now, think about the amount of time it took for you to outline a subject in law school.  So, if you show me a person that was able to outline 18 bar exam subjects and do the entire pace program, I'll show you someone that gave up eating and sleeping.  Most people outline some subjects just to make the subject manageable and only do parts of the pace program.  

This question is really a time management question.  How do I get the most value out of my studying? Again, do what works for you. However, I think for most people they should avoid outlining the outline.  Instead, they should open the essay book and outline the essays.

The bar examiners test the same things over and over again in each subject. Sit down and take each exam. Keep the mini-outline you created while issue spotting and add to it as you do other exams.  For multi-state subjects, this outline will be the absolute most important topics because it can be tested twice, on the essays and on the multiple choice.  For state specific essays, you'll see BarBri gives you way more than you need.

Not only will you be actively learning, you'll save yourself a lot of time.