I know what you are thinking: you have been studying for the bar for what seems like forever now, and you don’t want to hear more about it! I get it, bar prep is one of the most stressful times of your life. For me, it was too. I was overwhelmed, stressed, and felt like I was going insane. I have since taken, survived, and passed the bar exam. However, I wanted to reflect back to the last few days before I took the bar exam and remember how I survived that week (remembering the most stressful time in my life may be a form of insanity, but I digress). Here is my perspective on the last week before the bar exam to help you navigate your way through this very trying time. [Read more…] about Final Countdown to the Bar: Bar Prep, Bar Stress, and the Last Moments of My Sane Life
Bar Exam Toolbox Blog
Podcast Episode 78: Learning through Mistakes in Bar Prep
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing how our mind deals with failure, and why making mistakes can actually lead to better learning.
In this episode we discuss:
- Why being wrong when highly confident in the answer is a powerful way to absorb information
- Why guessing on multiple choice questions doesn’t lead to learning
- A look at how kids deal with their mistakes
- The concept of memory reconsolidation
- Fixed versus growth mindset
- Practicing by rewriting questions and quizzing yourself
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 78: Learning through Mistakes in Bar Prep
How to Practice Essays in the Final Weeks Before the Bar Exam
In most states, the essay portion of the bar exam makes up a significant portion of your overall score. It’s also one of the most-feared parts of the exam, and one that many people tend to struggle with while studying.
In order to successfully prepare for and pass the bar exam, you must have a strategy for practicing essay questions. It’s especially important to maximize your efforts on practice essays in the final weeks before the bar exam. This post outlines some tactics you can implement to make the most out of the practice essays you do in the three weeks leading up to the bar exam. [Read more…] about How to Practice Essays in the Final Weeks Before the Bar Exam
Podcast Episode 77: Who and What to Trust for Bar Exam Prep
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about how to know who or what you can trust when preparing for the bar exam, and why it’s important to go all in with an approach once you’ve decided to trust it.
In this episode we discuss:
- Evaluating what works best for your learning style and life situation
- Where to get practice materials and feedback
- Can you test a course before you purchase it?
- Assessing how you’re spending your study time and if it’s working
- Focusing on one topic at a time
- Trusting the process and sticking with it through tougher days
- How other people can help if you’ve hit a roadblock
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 77: Who and What to Trust for Bar Exam Prep
Bar Exam Perspective – The Perks of Having a Loved One Go With You
It is difficult to actually envision what the test day(s) will be like when you go and sit for the bar exam (unless you have already taken it, of course). Personally, I had so many questions and thoughts about what it would be like when I sat for the Michigan bar exam. I didn’t know how meals would work, where I would be mentally, or even how I would sleep the nights before the exam. I was a nervous wreck to be honest. Personally, studying and taking the bar were the most stressful times of my life. Thankfully, I am on the other side of that difficult experience and am now a licensed attorney. However, there are several things I would have done differently if I had to go back in time and take the bar exam again. However, one thing that I would not change is having my fiancé come with me to where the bar exam was being held. [Read more…] about Bar Exam Perspective – The Perks of Having a Loved One Go With You
Podcast Episode 76: Tackling an MEE Con Law Essay Question
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through a UBE constitutional law essay question from the July 2018 bar exam. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions.
In this episode we discuss:
- Do you need to cite cases when answering Con Law questions?
- The Tenth Amendment and use of federal funding
- Reading the Con Law question from the July 2018 bar exam
- What is the best way to begin your answer?
- How to create a solid rule section
- The importance of working key words and phrases into your analysis
- How to approach a question involving a multi-element rule
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 76: Tackling an MEE Con Law Essay Question