If you’re studying for the bar exam, you may be trying to figure out how to spend your time every day. If you’ve been wondering how to make your own bar study schedule, here are some tips!
Start by making a list and prioritize it.
What are all the subjects you need to cover between now and the exam? Is Torts more of a black hole for you than Con. Law? Did you ever take the Corporations class in school, or is this subject an unknown to you. See if you can come up with an idea of all the subjects on your exam, and then rank those in terms of which ones need the most work.
Consider your best working hours.
Whether you’re studying all day every day or trying to squeeze in a few hours each night after work, it will be important to block off the time you have so it doesn’t get filled up with anything else. Decide now which hours out of every day are your “on” time and which are “off” time because they’re filled with other activities. Don’t forget to block off time for crucial things like meals, commuting, bedtime and breaks throughout the day. Using something like a google calendar can be really helpful since it will allow you to see these blocks of time for the whole week.
Tally up your weaknesses and start turning them into strengths.
Did you always struggle with timing on essay exams in law school? Do you hate multiple choice? Have you taken the bar before and scored lower in a particular area or for a specific reason? Whatever you consider yourself weakest at, prioritize improving in those areas. Usually, what scares people the most about the exam is exactly what they need to work on! So ask yourself, what part of the exam do you find the scariest? See if you can pass the bar by focusing your attention on the tasks that make you the most uncomfortable.
Find a routine you can stick to.
Take whatever time you have for studying, then break it up into tasks that will help you accomplish what you need to focus on the most. If you need to be writing more PTs, make sure you have some nice four- or five-hour blocks on the weekends—time to take the PT and extra time to review it. If you’re finding it too exhausting to study after work, see if you can get to the office early and crank out an essay then (this might even help you beat traffic!). Either way, cut down the time you’re spending deciding what to do and when to do it. By committing to a routine that works for you, you can be as efficient as possible with your time.
Break up “active” and “passive” tasks.
If you’re not sure what I mean by this, check out this post for more information about how to split up your day and focus more on active learning techniques.
Check to see if you’re studying the “wrong way.”
Are you falling into any of these classic bar exam study traps? How about these ones? If any of this sounds familiar, make sure you’re nipping these kinds of bad habits in the bud! Ask yourself, is there anything you’re spending your time on that you have a sneaking suspicion isn’t actually helping you change and grow into a better exam taker? If so, you’re probably right. Change it up! Use the tips in the posts above to help.
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Did you find this post helpful? Check out some other great articles:
- How to Write Succinctly Part One: Rule Statements
- Tackling Bar Exam Materials Like a Pro
- What You Can Do Now to Prepare for the Bar Exam
- Can Studying Early Help You Pass the Bar Exam?
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