The bar exam is a little just two weeks away. While studying should be your full-time job at the moment, we know that it’s very easy to get caught up in studying 24/7 and neglect important things like eating and sleeping. In fact, these things should absolutely NOT be ignored because they will help get you through the next few weeks. Here are some suggestions for taking care of yourself during the home stretch of bar exam prep.
Sleep is Critical
You need your body and mind to be at their best on exam day. Most of us are not at our best when we don’t get enough sleep. Lack of sleep makes it harder to focus and our minds just don’t feel as sharp, which makes it very problematic when it comes to exam time.
We suggest for the days leading up to the bar exam, turn off that alarm. Let yourself try to get some extra rest. Or keep the alarm on and turn off the TV earlier and catch some extra hours on the evening side of your sleep cycle. Also think about how you can give yourself the best chance at a good night’s sleep, during the exam period.
Of course, if sleep just doesn’t come easily for you, there are other ways you can relax during this time. Take walks or exercise in the evenings. This will definitely help cleanse your mind and help burn off some of the energy you have left over from the exam day. If you are staying away from home, take pillows or blankets that will make your bed feel most comfortable.
You Need to Eat
Next to sleep, eating right is the best thing you can do for your body during this time. Make sure you eat a good breakfast and take a mid-morning and afternoon break for a snack. Remember, your brain is working hard! You need the fuel from calories to keep it going.
Make sure you eat a good breakfast on a regular basis (and definitely on exam days). We suggest foods that include healthy fats and proteins. A great choice is eggs and some veggies. The same goes with lunch. Take a break from studying to eat a sandwich or salad; something healthy that will give you energy. And by all means, find some great snacks like yogurt, nuts, whole grain crackers and cheese. These will keep you going until dinner. Check out this post for ideas of what to eat during the bar exam.
Take a Break
So many students think there is no time to take a break. But the reality is the bar exam is mentally (and physically) exhausting. If you are feeling that you are burning the candle at both ends and yet not getting anything done, it is likely that you are so exhausted that your brain can’t process information as it should. Give yourself some time away from the books. Take a walk. Go to the movies. Have dinner with friends.
Keep in mind there are risks to not giving yourself a break. You might get sick. You might burn out. You might become more anxious and have trouble dealing with the stress of taking the bar exam. All of these are bad things. So go ahead, take a break. It isn’t going to hurt you or be the reason that you fail.
These next few weeks are going to be stressful. Your best chance of making it through is taking care of yourself by eating, sleeping and taking a break. You can do it!
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Did you find this post helpful? Check out some other great articles:
- Taking Care of Yourself is a Critical Part of Your Bar Exam Preparation
- Warning, Burnout Ahead! Take a Pre-Bar Exam Study Break
- What to Do If You Get Sick During Bar Prep
- Should You Start Thinking About Your Bar Exam Mental State Now?
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I completely agree that it is so important to physically take care of yourself while studying for the bar. My friend was a really good example of that. She would spend time at the gym, and try to eat really healthy. Although most days she really lacked on sleep due to studying for everything, she was really good at taking care of her body otherwise. This really seemed to help her not only with the bar, but with all of her classes during law school.