Mindset/Psychology Archives | Page 6 of 14

July 31, 2024August 1, 2026 - 3 Comments

What to Do After the Bar Exam to Live a Normal Life Again (21 Post-Bartum Ideas)

Weeks and months of insanity preparing for the bar exam while putting life on hold. The onslaught of psychologically tormenting questions. Dealing with issues (and making up rules) you didn’t even know existed.

It’s over. Hard to believe, isn’t it?

The hard-fought battle has ended. The dust has settled. There’s nothing left. No rewards. Just… palpable silence (filled only with “How did you do? Oh wow, I’m sure you passed!!”) and an empty space in your heart. What were you fighting for this whole time?

Now yet another difficult part called “waiting” begins. It might be harder than the actual prep. After the shell shock that was the bar exam, what do you do?

What is “free time” again? Is it edible? Will life be the same?

How do you feel like a normal person again after taking the bar exam? How do you deal with the void in you?

This is all very normal. Breaking up with someone you know isn’t right for you can still hurt and leave you empty. We get attached to the struggle.

Some people seem to be completely happy with this state of being, while others get post-bartum depression. Let’s recover from your mixed feelings and bring life back to normal.

Here are 21 ideas on what to do to stay sane (and a few things NOT to do) if you have post bar exam depression (ideas that have nothing to do with studying for the exam “just in case” even though the bar exam is over).

June 7, 2024June 7, 2024 - No Comments

Passing the Washington Bar Exam (UBE) by Enjoying the Process and Moving the Needle

Roxanneh passed the 2024 February Washington Bar Exam (UBE) on her first try, with enough room in her score to spare.

💬 “I took the California bar twice unsuccessfully, and finally decided to go back to take it in Washington, where I went to law school. I passed Washington on my first try (and on a February exam) comfortably, with a score high enough to transfer to any of the UBE states.”

But she switched from another bar exam elsewhere (California), so she still brings the wisdom of a repeater!

Let’s see what she did to make her attempt at the UBE successful.

June 2, 2024June 28, 2024 - 33 Comments

How to Get Motivation Studying for the Bar Exam

You’ve seen all the euphoria from people who passed the bar exam.

You’re probably “inspired” and “motivated” when you look at bar exam success stories and accounts of people who excitedly announce they passed the bar exam.

When that happens, we say things like “if they can do it, so can I” (true). Or “I needed this today.”

Today?

That’s some “new year, new me” type energy. I’m not letting you off the hook like that.

Anyone can desire to pass the bar. Anyone can fixate on the goal and SAY they want it.

These are people who come to me desperate and lost… get “inspired” or gain “perspective”… and then return to the same old cycle looking for hits of relief.

May 28, 2024June 1, 2026 - 26 Comments

Myths of Memorizing for the Bar Exam

Many bar takers are obsessed with the idea of memorization for the bar exam.

Understandably, a lot of students naturally panic and have concerns about it. There’s a LOT to remember after all.

Novice bar takers tend to stay stuck thinking, “As long as I memorize this perfectly, I will be set for the bar exam.”

This may seem like a safe approach, but it’s actually reckless.

Panic mutates into paralysis because they end up bag-holding theoretical knowledge they don’t know when or how to use, neglect the performance test they don’t even need to memorize for in the first place, and end up with a score that’s not terrible but not great either. After all, they still know enough to be familiar with the material but not understand enough to apply it under pressure.

Maybe that’s why people are excited about the possibility of open-book bar exams in some states.

I eagerly await their realization that it’s not just about having access to information—but whether they can use the information properly. Removing the memorization requirement doesn’t really change the exam. In fact, it will probably hurt if you’re wasting time looking things up.

It’s not that I’m ragging on memorization. You should memorize to succeed on the bar exam—but not at the expense of learning how to wield the information.

Memorizing for the bar exam is simply table stakes. Everyone’s doing it. It’s a minimum requirement. Just a cost of entry.

So you do want to start memorizing as early as you can.

But I want to point out what bar takers miss when they get tunnel vision around memorization. Don’t miss the forest for the trees:

November 14, 2023December 7, 2023 - 18 Comments

Minimum Competence Does Not Mean Bare Minimum

How would you narrate your hopes, desires, and dreams to pass the bar exam?

I want to improve.

I want to start my career and live my life without this hanging over my head.

I feel that painful yearning inside. I’m not content with this! I’m upset. I’m frustrated! I’m tired of being frustrated!

I want to pass the bar exam. I want to be special.

I’ll find my way forward, whatever that means. I don’t know where to go, but I’ll start, wherever that leads me.

But anyone can say that they want to pass.

How do you do this efficiently and effectively?

Are you confusing busy work with actual learning?

How to get and STAY motivated in your journey?

What do you do when you see fluctuations and plateaus?