10 Tips to Check In During Bar Prep

10 Tips to Check In During Bar Prep

When deciding to pursue a law degree, many students consider how going to law school and day-to-day studying will impact their lives.  Many students, however, don’t always consider the bar exam and the difficulty that can ensue as students prepare to take it.  It’s no secret that studying for the bar exam can be an incredibly grueling process.  While you prepare to take the bar, though, it’s important not only that you understand where you are with your studies, but also to check in with yourself periodically.  Read on as we discuss 10 tips to check in during bar prep!

10 Tips to Check In During Bar Prep

1. Start a journal.

Journaling your bar study process from start to finish may do wonders for your mental health.  It’s also a great way to check in to see how you might be feeling on a day-to-day basis. Do not be intimidated by journaling because it does not require as much effort as you may think! Each entry does not have to be 5 or 6 pages long that details how bar prep is going.  Let’s be honest, you just may not have the time for that! Instead, it could be a simple sentence or a few bullet-points.

The whole idea is to simply identify what you are feeling and put it on paper.  If freewriting is not your style, you can always get a journal that has daily prompts or a daily question.  Even if the prompts aren’t bar exam related, a journal with prompts can still be a tool to help you check in with yourself during bar prep.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

We tend to underestimate the power of our own minds as it pertains to mental toughness.  Preparing for the bar exam requires you to be in a productive headspace, but that’s not always feasible.  Before you begin preparing for the bar exam, it might be helpful to make a list of different resources that are available to you in order to help you excel on the bar exam.  Bar prep courses and supplements can certainly be invaluable, but resources that help with your mental and physical health are also just as important.

Does your law school offer bar support services? Working with that office when the going gets tough might be the ticket to getting through a tough topic.  Do you feel your mental health declining?  Check in with a therapist or other mental health professional that has been helpful in the past.  Your law school might also be able to point you to free campus resources that can help you with your mental health as you prepare for the bar exam!  Do you feel consumed with the bar exam and want to have a conversation about something entirely unrelated to bar prep?  Call a supportive family member or friend you haven’t spoken to in a while to catch up!

3. Go get a physical exam.

In addition to checking in with yourself mentally, checking in with yourself physically is also important. Let’s face it. As a law student you probably were probably running on a diet with plenty of coffee and take out, and your workout regimen may have been set aside as you studied.  Taking a step back and checking in on your physical is always a good idea, and scheduling your annual physical prior to bar prep can be beneficial.  For example, perhaps you have low iron levels and you don’t even know it! Maybe your cholesterol or blood pressure is a little bit high.  Getting your physical health under control before the bar exam can help with your mental health, too!  So, get checked out by a medical professional to ensure your health is intact to endure the stressors of studying (and the bar exam!).

4. Work out.

If working out was a major part of your life before bar study (or even before law school!), do not let it fall to the bottom of the list once you start bar prep. Getting regular physical activity is not only crucial for your physical health but your mental health as well.  Working out fuels productivity because it forces you to get in the mindset of getting things done.

Ask yourself, “When was the last time I at least took a walk?” “When was the last time I was able to blow off some steam on the treadmill?” Take 30 minutes to dedicate to working out because it may work wonders for reducing stress and ensuring your body can withstand long periods of inactivity while you are studying.  Even if you can’t get a 5 mile run in every day, try to get some form of exercise in during the week.  Even a walk around the block can be a great solution to a mental block!

5. Meditate.

Meditation can be done in many forms, and you will be surprised how moving silence can be. Meditation has been used as a technique to reduce anxiety for eons. Sometimes we do not even know we are suffering from anxiety until we realize we are feeling tired with no explanation as to why. If you find yourself dealing with this issue, take a step back from the books and go find a quiet place to sit with your thoughts. There are lots of meditation resources out there that are short, guided, and efficient. If you take just 5 minutes to devote to meditation (and being at peace in your thoughts), it may make all the difference in how you deal with the anxiety and stress of studying for the bar. So, give it a try!

6. Create a comfortable study environment.

Where you study for the bar exam can be equally as important as how you study. You want to study in an environment that feels safe, comfortable, and productive for you. If you have an office space in your home, add little things to it that give you comfort. Maybe you like to listen to soft music while you study, so ensure you have a nice speaker in your office space. Maybe you get tired of sitting in chairs for long periods of time and prefer to stand. Buy a standing desk that you can convert in those moments you don’t want to feel confined. Maybe having plants around you makes you feel alive. Add some greenery to your study space. Maybe you need a little encouragement every now and then. Add some wall décor with inspirational quotes.

If your home environment is not conducive to studying, then consider some options.  Perhaps a local coffee shop or library is the ticket when you need a change of scenery.  Maybe you have kids running around your home, roommates who watch a lot of television at a high volume, or parents who are asking you all of the questions why you’re trying to study.  Having a space to go that is quiet and where you can focus can be a huge help in these instances! If your law school is nearby, there may be a classroom you can use for the afternoon or a spot in the law library that makes the perfect study spot.  Local libraries can also be great resource!  Many have designated areas for quiet study or study rooms you can use for the morning or afternoon.

No matter whether you study at home or away from home, finding a spot where you can focus on your studies is invaluable as you prepare for the bar exam!

7. Create your study schedule.

Everyone is different when it comes to what techniques work for them when preparing and studying for the bar exam. Some people do great with schedules and some people are intimidated by them. However, having some sort of plan is crucial for success on the bar exam (and it can help ease anxiety in the process!). Having a study schedule gives you a sense of knowing what to expect of yourself and it holds you accountable.

Create a schedule that works for you and be realistic about the expectations you put on yourself. Your bar prep program likely has one ready to go, but be sure to spend some time tailoring it to you and your obligations. If you realize after a while that the schedule just isn’t working for you, adjust. Do not automatically get discouraged or feel like you failed!  Once you get into a groove and realize what works, it will create a more positive and productive study experience for you overall.

 8. Check in with your peers.

Never underestimate the power of community. One of the benefits of going to law school is you get to meet some amazing people that will one day be your peers in the profession. You all withstood law school together and are now all studying for the bar exam. Try to lean into those who have a more positive outlook on the study process and use those people as fuel to take your own study process to the next level.  Everyone has different techniques and approaches for studying but the goal remains the same. So, check in with your peers. It may give you great insight into how you can make your own study process more efficient.  Or, at the very least, there’s a person to vent with over a cup of coffee.

9. Make time for some fun.

Fun is all about balance. If you know you did not put in a lot of time studying the past few days, maybe you shouldn’t spend time at the pool. However, maybe you have studied hard for the past 5 days straight, and you have reached your mental peak. That self-reflection is very important because it allows you to know when you are burned out. If you’ve been diligently studying and are starting to feel burnt out, that’s a sign to step away from the books for a little while. So go sit by the pool and enjoy some sun. Meet up with a friend or family member for lunch or dinner.  It may do wonders for your mental health and give you the strength you need to push on studying another day!

10. Find a support system.

 As you humans we are not made to be alone or endure challenging times by ourselves. It’s important to have a support system around you that understands what you are going through. Studying for the bar exam is extremely stressful. The last thing you need is people who are negative and do not offer you any encouragement. That’s why you must choose wisely who you allow to be in your support circle.

Once you have designated this circle, you must be honest with them. They won’t be able to read your mind and know exactly what you need at any given moment. Speak up, give them a call, express what you need and what is bothering you. Maybe you need a friend to stop by for a couple of hours just to be in your presence while you study. Maybe your laundry is so backed up and it’s becoming stressful not having clean clothes to wear so you need mom to come by and do some laundry.

The people who love you most will be willing to make these sacrifices for you because they want to see you succeed. Your support system may also help you to stay on track and be disciplined during this process. You should have people that will hold you accountable when they see you are falling behind in your studies. Constructive criticism may be what you need to use as fuel to get on track. Also, utilize these resources to help with studying as well. Sometimes explaining legal concepts on the bar exam to someone who knows nothing about the law helps you to articulate rules. Utilize all the resources around you to ensure your success.

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