Bar Exams, Health / Wellness

Failing The Bar Exam Doesn't Have To Be The End Of Your World

It is possible to overcome bar exam failure.

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Welcome to the latest installment of The Struggle, a series where we examine the mental-health issues that students encounter during the oftentimes grueling law school experience. We are posting these stories because sometimes what law students really need is to know that they’re not alone in their pain. Sometimes what law students need is to know that they’ve got a friend who is willing to share not just in their triumphs, but also in their struggles. These are real e-mails and messages we’ve received from real readers.

If these issues resonate with you, please reach out to us. Your stories need to be heard. You can email us, text us at (646) 820-8477, or tweet us @atlblog. We will share your stories anonymously. You may be able to help a law student who needs to know that someone else has been there before and survived.

Law school graduates across the country will sit for the July 2017 administration of the bar exam in about three weeks. We’re publishing two reader stories today to let those who are entering their final weeks of study know that it’s not the end of the world if they don’t pass. It is possible to overcome bar exam failure, pass on a subsequent try, and go on to an illustrious career, in the law or otherwise.

I failed the bar nearly 30 years ago. I had just had a baby 3 weeks before the test — I was a single mom and felt the only way out of my situation was to take the exam, get a job, and provide for my daughter and myself. I failed and was pretty sad, but I did not give up! Please do not give up! Get help and don’t despair. I can honestly say I was never asked to disclose the fact that I failed to any of my employers, and I have been blessed with great jobs the last 29 years both in government and private practice. With patience, perseverance, and prayer it can be done. I passed on the second try and got to come home to a beautiful daughter. Good luck!

I’d honestly forgotten about failing the bar. But I did. I was a February bar taker and my boyfriend dumped me in glorious fashion 10 days before the exam for another woman… at that very point where you’ve pretty much forgotten how to exist as a human being… which also happened to be Valentine’s Day. Awesome guy, right? To say I wasn’t in the best mental spot to take the exam was an understatement at best. Making matters worse, I got a nosebleed during the MBE and had to leave for 10 minutes. To those currently struggling, I’d say the fact that 9 years later, I needed a reminder that I once failed the bar exam says it all. It doesn’t seem like it, but life will go on. I have a great job and have never once been asked how many times it took me to pass this stupid exam!

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Most colleges and universities have counseling and psychological services resources that students and graduates can turn to if they are in crisis or would like counseling, even after hours. If these services are not available at your school, and if you’re depressed and in need help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or a lawyer assistance program in your state. Remember that you are loved, so please reach out if you need assistance, before it’s too late. Don’t become a statistic — please seek help.

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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