The bar exam can be an emotionally intense experience.
We all need a witness to our struggles. Don’t keep it locked up inside you. Sharing the ups and downs can be cathartic.
Jonathan took the time to send me a raw, heartfelt story of what it was like to fail…and then PASS the 2024 July CA Bar Exam.
💬 “When I found out I did not pass the bar, I was devastated; I let down myself and seemingly my family, my girlfriend, mentors, and everyone who had invested in me — how would I recover from this professionally and personally?”
Repeaters will know about the devastation and the identity crisis that comes with failing the bar exam.
Am I being dramatic?
Maybe. Regardless, if you don’t pass, there’s suddenly a ton of uncertainty and volatility about your future.
Choose resilience, or give up. It’s up to you.
💬 “Over my time re-studying for the exam, two thoughts persisted:
‘No…no, this is not how my story ends! I am not a failure or a quitter… I’ve never quit and why would I do it now? No…I have more in the tank’; and
the other was, ‘what if this repeats again…is it better to just take the foot off the gas? There are many people who understand how difficult this exam is…maybe I should use my degree for something adjacent.’ And then it hit me . . .”
How did he finally overcome the past that haunted him so?
“When I found out I passed and reflected on my journey, I realized a more focused approach was critical, but the change I needed was a reshifting of perspective and learning to trust myself.”
Resources Jonathan used to pass the CA Bar Exam
💬 “Your Approsheets were critical in my last two weeks of studying — I even re-drew the charts to the T from memory in my studies when I’d be tired of memorizing.”
AdaptiBar
- Use promo code here for 10% off your entire cart
BarEssays (CA essay answer repository)
- Use promo code here for $25 off
MTYLT emails (get in here)
💬 “Over the course of my studies, I looked forward to his weekly email as a nice break and left feeling inspired that I could pass this exam. Rather than externally validating myself or confirming my fears from neurotic strangers on reddit, Brian’s weekly emails and his personal emails with me allowed me to rediscover myself as someone who won’t quit, reframe this challenge as possible, and collect the wisdom in this temporary road block for tougher challenges down the road. In short, I was able to internally validate myself.”
I’d be grateful if you forwarded your favorite email to one friend.
1) Resilience and overcoming failure
Jonathan was disappointed.
But instead of dwelling on the feelings of failure after not passing the exam on this last attempt, he chose to move forward with the next exam and use it as an opportunity for growth.
💬 “Rather than dwell in either thoughts, why don’t I check myself and focus on what’s in my control; instead of feeling good or bad, just be present and do the work.”
Jonathan recognized the need to confront his fears, rebuild his thought patterns, and stay present during his studies.
💬 “I know it’s easier said than done, but constantly being present was key.“
It’s EASY to indulge in fearful and anxious thoughts. To rant on Reddit about your situation. To do the familiar thing over and over and wonder why you’re still stuck.
How do you get unstuck and un-frustrated?
(This also happens to be part of the title of the bonus guide that comes with the Magicsheets + Approsheets Bundle: “17 Strategies to Get Un-stuck and Un-frustrated by the Bar Exam”)
2) Seek support and empowerment
There’s help all around you. Jonathan chose to read my newsletters and reach out to me.
💬 “I first met Brian as the author of Magicsheets + Approsheets (from a friend) and learned more about him after reading his blog posts/stories he shared from former students. I felt he connected with his students, cared for his students, and wanted them to succeed.”
💬 “Safe to say that email changed the trajectory of my studies and developed a relationship I am so grateful for to this day. Brian read my email, responded tenderly, and left me with hope.”
It’s so beneficial to have support and empowerment when going through something this daunting.
Empowerment means this: It’s your battle. You make the executive decisions. I can’t study for you. But I can try to help you get the outcome you want.
💬 “Brian’s essence isn’t necessarily his material — at least for me it wasn’t — but his ability to connect with strangers who feel forgotten/ashamed of themselves because of how this exam robbed us of our confidence. Brian has been to the deepest depths of really tough feelings, rebuilt himself, and discovered that this exam is passable with a more fine-tuned approach, hard work, and constant assurance that it will be okay.”
Your flattery has been noted in my records, Jonathan.
I appreciate emails from readers in my confessional (in)box.
But this is not an invitation to send me any lame ass emails. At least show me that you’re engaged in your own rescue, and not ask questions you can Google like “What’s the passing score? Any advice? Help!!1” (My website is full of advice already.)
3) Shift your mindset around confidence
Does confidence come from preparation (you know what you know)?
Does insecurity come from preparation (you know what you don’t know)?
Does confidence come from lack of preparation (you don’t know what you know)?
Or does insecurity come from lack of preparation (you know what you don’t know)?
Someone make me a matrix from this.
The goal of bar preparation is readiness, also known as preparation. Readiness is the ideal scenario.
But confidence or insecurity is not a fully reliable gauge for your readiness unless you know the reason behind it.
One thing is true: During your prep, you’re going to what you can to meet that goal of readiness. And then, you have to make do with what you have.
💬 “About a week before the exam, I was feeling my best ever and my studies showed: I plowed through MBE practice questions, learning rather than seeing if I got it right and comfortably essay cooking 4-5 essays. But, I was still insecure since I never felt this good. I emailed Brian and he advised me not to gauge my readiness from ‘feelings,’ but to be aggressive on game day and ‘arrogant’ in collecting points. It blew me away because it placed my focus on an attitude I could control instead of this ‘feeling’ of confidence that I couldn’t. I was studying at an arm’s length with the material for so long and now Brian injected me with the mindset I needed to go into this exam.”
There’s no choice but to trust the legs you trained. That is also part of your empowerment.
💬 “When I found out I passed and reflected on my journey, I realized a more focused approach was critical, but the change I needed was a reshifting of perspective and learning to trust myself.”
Jonathan was right that his past failures did not end his story.
💬 “I am glad I didn’t allow the last exam to define my story; my story continues knowing that I passed and I did not quit! . . . we can do this!”
💬 “This holiday was extremely special this year to me.”
What kind of mindset are you going to have after reading Jonathan’s story?
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