If you’re studying for the bar exam, congratulations on making it this far. You’re almost there; the exam will be over before you know it. In a few weeks, you’ll be lying on a beach somewhere, enjoying some fabulous post-bar travel.

How are things going for you in the home stretch? An ATL Community thread on the subject is generating healthy commentary, so let’s bring it to the front page:

How is everyone’s progress on studying for the bar?

How did the simulated MBE go for everyone?

General thoughts?

Based on the responses thus far, it seems that folks are worried, but unduly so. Relax; you’ll be just fine. Those practice MBE scores are plenty high, and you still have some study time left.

If you don’t pass the bar exam for some reason, like these famous bar failers, you can just take the test again (and again, and again; hi Paulina Bandy!). It’s not the end of the world. Bar failers have had successful careers in law, politics, media, and academia, among many other fields.

Of course, failing isn’t fun, and it does make for awkward interactions around the office or with classmates. So what’s the best way to study? From a reader:

I’d love a thread about bar exam prep courses. I’d especially like to hear from people who decided not to take one. Biggest mistake of one’s life, or best idea ever?

We took Bar/Bri and PMBR (the three-day review), and we found them both very helpful. It’s nice to have a plan of attack that you can mechanically follow — lawyers love fixed trajectories — as well as a third party imposing some discipline on your study habits.

But we also know lots of folks who got the books, studied on their own, and did just fine (and saved themselves or their firms a nice chunk of change). Readers, any thoughts?

Update: We went back and reviewed the 200+ comments on our earlier open thread about BarBri. The comments we found most entertaining pertained to Professor Paula Franzese, who teaches property. She inspired passionate detractors and defenders. Selected comments, after the jump (or just click here).

Open Thread: Bar Exam Study Update [ATL Community]

The title of this post reflects the majority view of the BAR/BRI bar review course. We actually enjoyed studying for the bar. Our overall reaction: “Wow. We’re learning so much…. LAW!”

But most of you don’t seem to be fans of Bar/Bri. You find it rather unpleasant — or maybe weird. Here’s one email we received:

Longtime fan, first-time writer. I was wondering if you could do a discussion thread on the Barbri course we are taking?

Would especially like to start with a mention of the Property I lecture today by Seton Hall law professor Paula Franzese. While pretty excellent, it certainly had its totally surreal moments — especially her long divergence about a fundraiser involving N-Sync and her (then) five-year-old daughter.

Also, the singing. She sings a lot — it’s totally something to behold!

Indeed. We recall Professor Franzese’s property coverage as one of the highlights of bar review. She managed to make a potentially dry subject at least somewhat entertaining.

Here is the requested open thread. While we’re on the subject of BarBri blonde beauties with musical talents, here is “Bar/Bri Girl,” a music video parody set to the tune of “Barbie Girl.” It was our favorite number from this year’s NYU Law Review Revue, which we had the pleasure of attending this spring:

NYU Law Revue 2008 - Barbri Girl [YouTube]