You walked across the aisle to (likely) obtain your diploma holder. You cheered for yourself because you could finally put law school behind you and focus on your future career. Wait a second, not so fast! You still need to take and pass the bar exam. So that means more studying and bar prep. But I know what you are thinking, you JUST finished law school. Do you REALLY have to study for the bar now? I am a recent law school graduate myself and can feel the pain you are in. You are desperately searching for a way out, a vacation, ANYTHING. You just survived three long years of torturous lectures, reading assignments and hypotheticals. You deserve a break, right? I am so sorry to tell you this my friend, unfortunately you really do need to study for the bar exam. [Read more…] about Bar Prep SOS: I just Graduated Law School, do I Really have to Study for the bar?
burnout
Three Reasons You Should Take a Break Between Graduation and Bar Prep
Another graduation season is upon us and much like the 2020 graduates who accepted their virtual diplomas via Zoom, the 2021 graduates are an exemplary assembly of students who have had the tenacity to make it through a very difficult curriculum in the midst of a pandemic.
If you’re a 2021 law school graduate, congratulations! Your resilience has not gone unnoticed, but please remember you are human, and your resilience can burn out.
Therefore, the purpose of this post is to give you a gentle reminder that breaks are essential to rebuild your strength, and that you should absolutely take one between your graduation and the start of bar prep season.
Still need some convincing? Here, are three reasons why you should take a break between graduation and bar prep. [Read more…] about Three Reasons You Should Take a Break Between Graduation and Bar Prep
How to Avoid Distractions During Bar Study
Picture it: You’re stuck in your apartment. Bar study is wearing on and on. You’re feeling bored and yet simultaneously overwhelmed. You can’t go socialize due to Coronavirus restrictions. You’re running out of money, time and patience. Worse yet, you suddenly get the urge to throw all the time you don’t have into a new project.
If you really need to buckle down and study, you might find yourself having thoughts like these: [Read more…] about How to Avoid Distractions During Bar Study
Podcast Episode 113: Lowering Stress While Studying for the Bar in COVID Times
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re looking at the telltale signs that you might be stressed out, the acute and chronic problems that stress causes, and some strategies for stress management, particularly important during these difficult and unpredictable times.
In this episode we discuss:
- Why are bar studiers particularly prone to experiencing excessive levels of stress?
- How can you tell that you’re stressed out?
- The physical manifestations of tension in the body
- Lifestyle changes that can help with long-term stress management
- Strategies for the bar exam study period (and for test day)
- Specific advice for people who failed the bar
- Practical exercises to handle stress and feel better fast
Thanks for listening!
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How to Get Motivated to Take a Second State’s Bar Exam
If you’re an attorney considering an out-of-state move or have recently relocated, you might need to sit for the bar exam in your new state. As you already know, taking the bar exam is a daunting challenge. Few people look forward to the process of preparing for the exam, and it can be difficult to get motivated to start studying. This is especially true if you have already passed in a different state.
This post highlights some strategies to get motivated to take the bar exam again in a different state and stay motivated while you study. Although you might be dreading the process of preparing for another bar exam, an attitude shift can make a huge difference in your ability to work through the material and set yourself up for success. [Read more…] about How to Get Motivated to Take a Second State’s Bar Exam
Blocked: Tips & Tricks On Keeping Your “Free Time” Free
They say those who can’t do, teach. So, I am here in an attempt to impart wisdom – or something – on the best ways to keep your mind free when you are trying to relax. We don’t need every moment of our time spent visioning flash cards, do we?
After the initial frustration of graduating only to be thrown into another stressful situation has subsided, the anxiety of the bar exam kicks in. There is no rest for the wicked. There is so much pressure surrounding the bar exam. Passing means the opportunity to actually practice law and not hear about theories from professors. So, it is natural that it would produce a lot of anxiety and take 100% of your attention. But what I have heard, and witnessed when studying myself, is that those who are 100% consumed with bar exam topics sometimes overwork themselves and end up doing the opposite of how they want to perform. You have to take some sort of break, and there are a million ideas about how to do this. But once on a break, how do we take back control of our thoughts? Well, here are approximately 5, in no particular order.
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