Why You Should Treat Yourself After the Bar Exam (And How to Do It)

Studying for the bar exam can be an all-consuming experience, leaving you barely any time for relaxation and self-care. As much as you try to prioritize things like your mental health and relationships during the lead-up to the bar exam, anything not related to the bar tends to get put on hold. That’s why, after the exam is over, it’s so important to take a break, rest, and reset.

You’ve probably heard of students taking a “bar trip” – a weeks-long vacation to some exotic place, often with fellow law school grads. While the traditional bar trip can be an amazing experience, it’s not the only way to celebrate finishing the bar exam. It’s also not something everyone wants to or can do. It’s expensive and requires money and time, which not everyone has access to. That’s why these tips are going to focus on what else you can do – no ticket to Bali or Tulum required – to treat yourself after the bar exam.

Why is it so important to treat yourself after the bar exam?

Studying for the bar exam is a grueling process that requires a tremendous amount of effort and sacrifice. After the exam is over, it’s important for law students to take time to relax and indulge in activities that bring them joy and satisfaction.

Here are some reasons why treating yourself after taking the bar exam is so essential to your well-being:

1. It’s a way to celebrate your hard work and accomplishments

Taking the bar exam is a major milestone in any law student’s journey. It’s a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Treating yourself after the exam is a way to celebrate your accomplishments and acknowledge the effort you put in.

2. It can help you recharge and rejuvenate

Studying for the bar exam can take a toll on your mental and physical health. Treating yourself to activities that bring you joy, such as taking a spa day, going on a weekend trip, or trying a new restaurant, can help you relax and de-stress. It can also help you get back into a positive mindset and prepare for the next chapter of your legal career.

3. It can help set you up for a healthy work-life balance

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important for any professional, but it’s especially important for lawyers. The legal profession can be demanding and stressful, and it’s easy to get caught up in work and neglect your personal life. Treating yourself after the bar exam is a way to prioritize your personal life and remind yourself that it’s essential to take breaks and indulge in self-care activities.

How to DO IT

Convinced that a little self-care will go a long way after the bar exam? While none of the ideas below are ground-breaking or things you’ve never heard of, lawyers are notorious for not taking care of themselves, so let these serve as inspiration for ways you can (and should!) treat yourself after the bar exam:

1. Take a mini vacation

Taking a break for a couple of days, whether a short road trip or a stay at a local hotel, can be a refreshing change of pace. You don’t need to go to a far-flung place to get the benefits of total relaxation that a mini vacation can bring.

2. Indulge in your favorite hobbies

After weeks or months of studying for the bar exam, you may have put some of your hobbies and interests on hold. Now that the exam is over, it’s the perfect time to pick up where you left off. Indulging in your favorite hobbies, like reading a book, playing a sport, painting, or listening to music – whatever lights you up – can be a great way to relax and unwind.

3. Get a massage or spa treatment

Studying for the bar exam can be stressful on both the mind and body. Treat yourself to a massage or spa treatment to relieve all of that tension that built up over months of studying.

4. Try a new restaurant

While you were studying for the bar, you probably didn’t go out much. The benefit of that is that you probably have some money saved up and a long list of restaurants you’ve been dying to try! Going out to eat at a new restaurant can be a fun and enjoyable way to treat yourself after the bar exam and celebrate your accomplishment – because surviving the bar exam is an accomplishment in itself.

5. Spend time with loved ones

During the time leading up to the bar exam, it can be easy to lose touch with friends and family. Take the opportunity post-exam to spend time with loved ones and catch up on all the things you missed.

6. Do something creative

Engaging in a creative activity, such as writing, drawing, or making crafts, can be a great way to reset after the bar exam. Not only does it give your mind a break from legal jargon and statutes, but it can also help you tap into your creative side and reduce stress.

There are probably other ways that you enjoy celebrating things. This list is a start to getting yourself in a mindset of celebrating your accomplishment however you would most enjoy. Have fun!