There aren't 32 hours in a day and even attorneys who are not math wizards can figure that out, but come bar prep, somehow, we start believing what everyone is saying. As I study (granted a ton of hours a day but definitely less than 32), I quickly came to realize that it is about quality, not quantity when it comes to the hours spent. Sometimes I read and read and take quiz after quiz and at the end of the day, I couldn't repeat a word of what I had been "studying" all day. Figure out what is best for you and do it. If you need breaks, take them. If you are a morning person like I am, wake up at the crack of dawn and finish early. If you come alive when the moon decides to shine, whip out those books and study underneath the moonlight. At the end of the day we all take the same test with the same information. How you learn it doesn't matter.
2. There are times you will contemplate murdering your loved ones.
As a disclaimer let me say I would never ACTUALLY murder anyone (if you are studying for the bar, I would bet your brain just went through the different types of homicide and the elements of murder), especially those I love, but there is something about sitting at a desk all day and cramming your brain with information that makes you hate people. It is not their fault, but it is hard to remember that. I have come to the point where if I hear anyone talking as I am studying I just think they are so selfish....but they aren't, I am the lunatic who will burst into tears if I find it hard to focus because my neighbor decided to work on some construction project in the middle of the day (as normal people do at a normal hour). While studying for the bar, we must remember, the world doesn't revolve around us. People's lives continue even though ours are put on hold. Oh and by the way, those around you probably hate you at this point as much as you hate them. They are tired of hearing us complain about how hard it is or how tired we are.
3. Finding an outlet is necessary in order to avoid losing your cool.
At the moment, I have tons of things to do, but I stopped to write this because I was about to cry. Literally, I was going to just lose it. I am studying at home but since school is over, my little cousins are here. They were soon followed by my mom, my brother in law, and my sister. All Cuban, all loud. I stormed out of the room to pack my lunch and head out for my lecture earlier than I had planned because I was overcome with frustration since I couldn't focus on finishing the practice test assigned for today. Before heading to class and staying angry, I sat here to write. Writing is cathartic for me. It provides me peace and calm and a way to speak my mind. I have also been using exercise. After sitting on your butt all day, it is good to sweat it all out and end your day releasing the stress toxins from your body.
4. You aren't going to look cute for 98% of the 2 months you are studying.
Fact: Most days, you will look hideous. It is a sad truth we must live with. Studying takes priority and lets get real, my computer and my grandparents who see me every day don't care, and love me sweatpants and all. It is important though to try and look like a decent human being who can contribute to society at least 2% of the two months. Your significant other, your friends, your family, and most importantly, you will appreciate looking nice sometimes. The bonus comes with the fact that if you have seen me looking like a sad lunatic for 10 days, if I slap on a dress and some make- up on day 11....boom bombshell!
5. It is worth it.
Okay, so we have to spend a summer ignoring invitations to go to the beach and to take vacations....but do you want to also do that in the winter? If we pass this hideous, annoying, grueling, two day hell hole of a test, WE WILL NEVER HAVE TO SEE IT AGAIN! Now, that's not to say that you won't have to turn down invitations with your friends in the future because you are being overworked as the newbie at a firm, but at least you will be getting paid!
Well, back to the books. If you are taking the bar good luck!! If you aren't sorry for being a lunatic. Please support my random outbursts and snippity comments. I'll invite you to dinner once I am employed.
Thanks for reading!!
