PASS THAT BAR EXAM
The start of your legal career depends on you passing a bar exam. The success of your passing a bar exam depends on your preparation. The success of your preparation depends on your ability to plan and stick to your study strategy.
The forewarned is the forearmed.
Plan out your bar study activities. Make sure that you are actively participating in the Bar Review sessions that you are attending. Just attending is not enough. You have to prepare before each session by reading the topic outline. Attend the session and truly be present. Review after the session and finally do those practice questions. Do this over and over for each topic area. Be dedicated and make studying for the bar exam your full time job. Seriously, plan on spending approximately 10 hours each day studying.
That being said, don’t forget the importance of balance, and keeping to your normal, everyday habits/activities. If you’re a runner, keep running. If you’re in a book club, keep going to your meetings. If you have a set day each week that you have dinner with your in-laws, keep that date. And, by all means, don’t try to quit smoking while studying for the bar exam. Try to stay as normal as possible with your life and sleep habits.
To prepare for the exam environment, buy your earplugs ahead of time and use them while you’re studying. Get used to them – it will take a bit. Practice answering test questions with an imposed time limit. Practice not jiggling your legs while you’re taking those test questions … you don’t want your table buddy to be upset with you. If you plan to write your answers (as opposed to typing), practice writing for long stretches of time to prepare for a full day of writing. If you plan to type, make sure that you have a dependable laptop.
Day of the exam … dress in layers, don’t wear perfume/cologne and be positive. Think about all the time you’ve put into studying and know that you’ve done your best and that you are prepared! Most importantly, BREATHE.
If you have questions about any subject or just need advice during your preparations for the bar exam, please feel free to call Elizabeth Odell at (918) 631-3990 (or email at Elizabeth-odell@utulsa.edu). She is available all summer if you need her assistance.
