I did it. I survived taking the Michigan bar exam! I made it through hours of testing and stress that will probably stay with me for years to come. So I know what you are thinking: now what? You finally make it through one of the worst times in your life and now you are just stuck waiting around for results? Unfortunately, this is the reality of the road to becoming an attorney. Some people have jobs lined up that won’t start until they have official bar exam passage. Others are still looking for jobs for when they become attorneys. There are also people who take the time after the bar exam to relax and go on a post-bar vacation. I, on the other hand, went right back to work following the bar exam. This is my story of transitioning back to office life after taking the bar exam. [Read more…] about Post-Grad Perspective – Bar Prep to Office Life
About Shirlene Brown
Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered: Failing and Retaking the Bar Exam
You finished law school and spent months studying and stressing over the bar exam. You suffered through the two or three day exam and waited patiently for results to come in. When you looked at the list of individuals who passed, you could not find your seat number anywhere. Unfortunately, you knew what this meant – you failed the bar exam. So, what should you do? What are some tips for retaking the exam? Should you give up your dreams and forget the bar exam? In order to help you through this difficult time, I have answered some questions that you may be asking regarding failing and retaking the bar exam. Hopefully these answers will provide you some guidance and encouragement during this disheartening experience. [Read more…] about Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered: Failing and Retaking the Bar Exam
Bar Exam Perspective – What to do if Your Friend Doesn’t Pass the Bar Exam
You watched your friend push through law school, graduate, suffer through bar prep and take the bar exam! When the day that results were announced came around, you were anxiously waiting for your friend to deliver the good news. Instead, you learned some shattering news: your friend failed the bar exam. Failing the bar exam is a heart-breaking experience. Your friend has worked so hard and endured so much stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights. And now they are left trying to cope with failing the bar exam and figuring out where to go from here. You are a good friend and can’t just sit by watching them suffer. So what do you do? How can you comfort your friend in this difficult time? And what should you do if you passed but your friend didn’t? Here is some advice to help you navigate through this very difficult but sensitive time in your friend’s life. [Read more…] about Bar Exam Perspective – What to do if Your Friend Doesn’t Pass the Bar Exam
Bar Exam Perspective – How to Get Through the Waiting Period
Congratulations! You have completed the bar exam, a legal form of torture that you volunteered yourself for! Jokes aside, you have accomplished what many have attempted but few have successfully achieved– you have survived the bar exam. Years of hard work, tears, and determination have led to this moment. You have every reason to celebrate, relax, and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. But now that you have taken the bar exam, what happens next? Unfortunately, you do not magically become an attorney after you finish your exam. You have to wait for results, confirm bar passage, and complete the additional steps that your jurisdiction requires to become a licensed attorney. So how do you survive this waiting period? And how can you keep yourself sane? Fortunately, I have survived the bar exam and the waiting period and will help you get through it! [Read more…] about Bar Exam Perspective – How to Get Through the Waiting Period
Bar Exam Perspective – What You Can Do Right Now to Set Yourself Up for Success On Game Day
The bar exam may seem like a battle that is far in the distance, however it will be here before you know it! I know that is a scary thought, but time has a way of getting away from you when you are busy preparing for one of the hardest tests you will ever take. When I took the bar exam, the testing days were some of the most stressful, tiring, and exhilarating days of my life. There was so much that was riding on me passing the bar, so I tried to be as prepared as possible. That meant doing a LOT of prep before the month of the exam came. However my efforts were rewarded, and I successfully passed. The good news for you is that I have plenty of helpful tips so you can be successful too. Here are some of the things I did in order to set myself up for success on game day! [Read more…] about Bar Exam Perspective – What You Can Do Right Now to Set Yourself Up for Success On Game Day
Bar Exam Perspective – How to Have “The Talk” with Your Loved Ones about Studying for the Bar
You are about to embark on a journey like no other: the bar exam. You will spend countless hours studying and preparing for the hardest exam of your life. During the bar prep period, your life will change dramatically as you shift to studying full-time. However, although you will be focused on studying, your loved ones’ lives will continue around you and will still want to see and interact with you as normal. Your loved ones have the best intentions, they care about you and want to support you! Personally, my family and fiance were my biggest cheerleaders throughout my bar exam experience. However, I had to set some boundaries during my bar study. You will want to explain to your loved ones that you appreciate all of the love and support but your main focus has to be on studying for the bar exam. No one is saying that you cannot have fun or see your loved ones during the bar prep period.
However, your time will be limited and your main focus is passing the bar exam. Thus, you will want to explain to them (lovingly) what they can expect during each phase of the bar exam and set some ground rules.