Useful Places To Study For the Bar Exam

Useful Places To Study For the Bar Exam

As you are studying for the bar exam, you may feel like you are staring at the same four walls for months on end.  In this post, we discuss some new places that you can study for the bar exam to enjoy a change of scenery!

Useful Places To Study For the Bar Exam

1. The public library

Don’t underestimate the invaluable resource that is your local public library!  Most local libraries offer ample study space, and some even offer private study areas, such as cubicles or study rooms.

The benefits of studying at your public library are that it is often easily accessible, free, and provides a quiet study zone.  They also provide a change of scenery from your usual law school library. On the other hand, public libraries may not be a great place for group study if your library does not have private study areas.  Additionally, if your library prohibits food and drink, as many do, and you need a cup of coffee next to you at all times as you study, this may not be an ideal location for you.

2. Coffee shop

There are generally two groups of people: those who thrive in the bustling environment of a coffee shop, and those who are easily distracted by the commotion and cannot concentrate.  Obviously, if you fall into the latter category, this is not an ideal study location for you.  However, if the former sounds like an accurate description of your study abilities, try checking out new coffee shops as you study for the bar exam!  Some people are actually more productive with the mild amount of distractions that a coffee shop can provide.  Maybe you have a favorite coffee shop where you become an avid regular, or maybe you try a new coffee shop every day! Or you could try a new coffee shop each week. This could be a fun way to add some local exploration to your study schedule.

3. Law school/college

If you are taking the bar exam near where you attended law school, don’t give up on your favorite study place that you utilized during law school!  For the July bar exam, the law school is probably going to be much quieter than it would normally be during the Fall and Winter semesters, and maybe a great location to study! You could also check out new libraries on campus, such as the undergraduate, graduate, or med school library for a nearby change of scenery.

If you aren’t living near your law school while you are studying for the exam, you can always take advantage of other college and law school campuses.  Even if you are living near your law school, mixing up your routine and scenery can be a nice change of pace as you prepare for the bar exam. Most colleges have a publicly accessible library with TONS of study space,  so take advantage of this resource!

4. Outdoors

If you are taking the July bar (or even if you are taking the February bar in a warm climate area), it can be depressing to be cooped up inside while the weather outside is beautiful.  Try venturing outdoors to study – set up an outdoor study area at your residence, or ride your bike to a local park (and kill two birds with one stone by getting some exercise in!) and set up your study station in a quiet area of the park.

5. Co-work space

If you live in or near a large city, chances are that there are ample “co-work” spaces near you where you can generally rent space on a daily or hourly basis.  This might be a great option for getting out of the house while avoiding some of the other distractions that parks and coffee shops often provide.  When everyone else around you is diligently working, it may create motivation and incentive for you to maximize your productivity during your study time!

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