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Posted on - 6 Comments on 6 Ways to Reclaim Your Time & Energy While Studying for the Bar Exam (Even If You’re Working Full Time)

6 Ways to Reclaim Your Time & Energy While Studying for the Bar Exam (Even If You’re Working Full Time)

Your hair feels gross, the fridge is empty, and you’ve been scraping together whatever free time you can.

Words in front of you are jumbling together into a blurry mess, passing by like a dream and also slipping away like one.

I’ve been where you are. In a way, I’m still there.

Bar prep steeps you in this undercurrent of anxiety because there’s so much to study with so little time and you’re feeling the pressure from the exam getting closer and closer. The worst combination.

But it’s not just time. Time isn’t your scapegoat. “Life is short” is propaganda by people who wasted their time.

“Yeah maybe when I have more time. I’m going to feel motivated someday. Everything happens for a reason.”

Oh, okay.

We like to tell people we “don’t have time” or that “time is the most valuable resource” or that “life is short” (even though we love to procrastinate).

That’s because time is not actually your most valuable resource.

You ALSO need ENERGY and ATTENTION. You need CLARITY so you can be productive. 

You ever see those everyone-has-24-hours “motivational quotes”? Even if you “had the time,” it doesn’t mean jack unless you have the mental energy to do something with it.

Here are 6 rules to take back your time and energy while studying for the bar exam (even if you’re working full time):

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Posted on - No Comments on Pass the Bar by Being Aware of Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Pass the Bar by Being Aware of Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Tristan passed the 2024 July California Bar Exam on his first attempt.

He credits his success to self-awareness of his strengths, weaknesses, and what would work for him.

He was a glass cannon (super good at the MBE) and not confident about passing, but he was composed and calculated about the whole process.

Let’s see what Tristan went through in his first and only successful attempt.

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Posted on - 1 Comment on Grandmother Passes the Uniform Bar Exam with a 270

Grandmother Passes the Uniform Bar Exam with a 270

A self-professed “Partner/Mom/Grandma/Kindergarten teacher” told me she passed the UBE.

No big deal. I asked Nocona how she DID IT so I could pass her lessons onto you mortals.

Among other things, she told me that she passed the Oklahoma Bar Exam (UBE) using a combination of substantive resources and a mindset that gave her better control over her processes.

You might read all these stories and think, I can do this too (true). 

Or you might wonder, why can’t it be me?

It CAN be you, homie. These were all people in the exact same position as you. Why torture yourself trying to reinvent the wheel?

Continue reading “Grandmother Passes the Uniform Bar Exam with a 270”
Posted on - 12 Comments on Passive Learning and Distractions vs. Active Learning: DOING Is the Best Form of Thinking

Passive Learning and Distractions vs. Active Learning: DOING Is the Best Form of Thinking

Dude, I feel you… This shit exhausting.

You don’t want to take this exam or SEE another question EVER again. You want nothing more than to pass this stupid bar so that you can move on with your life.

You can see the One Outcome on the horizon. So close yet so far.

So close yet so far to end of bar prep
(Is this reference outdated? Oh well)

But you can’t escape this endless cycle. You’re not allowed to. Not yet.

Wake up, then crash your face into the pillow. Hope and despair, rinse and repeat. It feels like you’ve been preparing for this bar exam your whole life.

It doesn’t even feel real anymore. But this exam is the realest thing in your life right now.

Maybe you turn to unimportant fiction to get your mind off it. All the constant news in bar world, about how many questions other people are doing, whether others are feeling just as behind or panicked as you, whether they’ll abolish the bar exam, remote testing issues…

Feels great to have some drama in your life. Something OTHER than Civ Pro to vent about!

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Posted on - 1 Comment on From Severe Anxiety to Trusting His Instincts to Pass the CA Bar Exam on His 1st Try

From Severe Anxiety to Trusting His Instincts to Pass the CA Bar Exam on His 1st Try

Andrew passed the 2024 July Bar Exam on his first try despite the initial anxiety and pressure.

💬 “Severe testing anxiety. Remember throwing up after the first practice bar exam at school because of poor results.”

Whatever doubts you have, it’s going to be worth it if you can overcome them.

💬 “Just wanted to share that I passed in California! Your materials were a massive help in the final weeks of studying and I’m honestly so grateful for your help. My hands are still shaking, it’s been such a rough week and I had a lot of doubts but I’m so glad that this is over.”

Let’s see how he transformed from feeling inadequate and pressured to succeed — to learning to trust his gut and actually succeeding.

(And what Burger King can teach you about bar prep)

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