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Bar Exam Troubleshooting Chart

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Studying for the bar exam is a difficult process. It tests your patience, your ability to tolerate your inner-most demons, and your ability to stay in the present moment of studying. Most of the time, when things are stressful, thoughts can begin to wander to the future in the most negative way of all: I’m going to fail.   

Once you get on that slippery slope, it is very difficult to get off of it. Your inner demons take you on a fantastic voyage. My name won’t be published as passing. People will know I failed. My employer will fire me. I’ll never be able to find a job. I’ll never…. I’ll never….

That kind of self-talk isn’t helpful to studying for the bar exam. In fact, it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy as your inner demons, riding a high of your self-doubt, work to take your hopes and dreams away from you.  

Let’s practice some reframing as we get through the Bar Exam study period.  

PROBLEM: I didn’t score as well as I expected on [whatever subject] practice test.

SOLUTION: Congratulations! You have an opportunity to learn from your mistakes! Oftentimes people guess on those tests, get it right, and are too afraid to go back and learn why they got that question right. Now you can learn why, and improve on future tests. Oh, and focus on learning, not the score. That too, can trigger anxiety that leads to a lower score.

PROBLEM: I’m going to fail. No, really. Really. Like, really.

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SOLUTION: Every time you think that, stop. Literally say to yourself “stop.” Then repeat after me: “I’m going to pass.” I know it sounds ridiculous, but retraining your mindset to focus on a positive outcome actually helps you succeed, according to science.  

PROBLEM: I don’t want to study.

SOLUTION: There are many reasons your brain may not want to study. One reason might be that you’re focusing on the negative, and your brain wants to avoid that. Another reason might be that the way you are studying is too repetitive, in which case you might consider mixing it up. At the very least, you might consider transforming those awful videos into some version of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Also, have you scheduled breaks in your study for exercise and rest? Sometimes the brain needs a recharge.

PROBLEM: I’m so tired I can’t sleep.

SOLUTION: The last thing you do before you go to bed is something peaceful and relaxing. You shouldn’t be doing flashcards and then setting them down on your nightstand and turning off the light. Your brain isn’t a lightswitch. Watch some silly TV (NOT THE EVENING NEWS!) or read a very light and fun non-law related book. It will actually improve your studying because your brain processes information when you sleep, and distraction will help you get to sleep.

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PROBLEM: I spoke to my colleague X who is studying 15 hours a day! I can’t do that! I’m going to fail!

SOLUTION: Um, no. X isn’t studying 15 hours a day. X is probably distracted about half those hours, while getting in about 7 hours of study. In fact, it might even be less than that. Never believe that someone is studying as much as they tell you. Also, never believe that their methods of study are going to work for you.  

As an example, I had a friend once who brought flashcards to the movies. How much studying do you think was accomplished? The guilt associated with not looking at the cards during the movie did damage to her ability to study, while my two hour nap allowed me to tackle the material with fresher eyes.

Also, never ever talk to anyone but supportive friends and study partners about the Bar Exam. Consider it like Fight Club.

What do all of these troubleshooting tips have in common? They all speak to your anxiety. If you have thoughts like these, then your anxiety is kicking in, and you need to manage it. Meditation, exercise, rest, and connection with loved ones are important to your emotional well-being AND success on the bar exam.  

You got this. Good luck.

LawProfBlawg is an anonymous professor at a top-100 law school. You can see more of his musings here.  He is way funnier on social media, he claims.  Please follow him on Twitter (@lawprofblawg) or Facebook. Email him at lawprofblawg@gmail.com.

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