This is Part Two of an article originally published on LinkedIn. You can find Part One here.
What’s the single biggest problem that crops up for a Bar Exam taker after she’s carved out study space and time for herself?
Sheila was a single mom whose ex-husband was nearby, but by and large, she raised the kids on her own. One of her children had special dietary needs and it was very important that Sheila stay on top of addressing all food issues and meal prep so her child could live healthfully and happily.
So, when Sheila considered the need to step back and allow her ex-husband to take over the kids for a few weeks, it was one of the most difficult things to wrap her brain around. But, with help, she eventually got herself to an emotional place where she could do so.
Then, she faced another problem. Sometimes she got discouraged during the study. Like the time she spent days listening and re-listening to the whole Real Property lecture, reading and reviewing the whole outline, and moving on to practice. She answered 10 practice problems and went back to find she had answered five out of 10 incorrectly.
She started wondering what all the studying had been for. She started troubleshooting where she may have wandered off in her thoughts during the lecture. She chided herself for obviously being distracted while she was reading her outline. What else could it be?
Then her thoughts really circled the drain. What if she couldn’t get it together and bring more focus to her studies? Was she going to do all this work and fail anyway? Was this all going to be for nothing?
The worst thing was that she knew these self-defeating thoughts were only building on her chances for failure. She needed to get away from the thoughts, but the more she tried, the louder they grew. So, she found herself turning to other activities, finding excuses to get away from her studying. She jumped out of her seat for all sorts of little things that could honestly wait until after her study time. Soon, it was harder and harder to sit down and open the books because, frankly, studying had become painful.
During quiet study, time is often when the “voices” rear up and start loudly proclaiming all the negativity, self-doubt, and otherwise anxiety-provoking thoughts. In the past, exam takers successfully avoided these voices by being compulsively busy. But now they find that the voice of self-criticism, fear and doubt actually grows louder with each bit of information that hasn’t been retained and each practice question that’s been answered incorrectly.
This voice is the reason most repeat Bar Exam takers fail.
Without harnessing and gaining control over that voice, Bar Exam takers find themselves distracted by the need to shut off that voice. They turn to things that worked in the past: binge-watching t.v., overeating, compulsively scrolling through social media, checking in (compulsively) on their partner or children, or even stirring up relationship difficulties. Some Bar Exam takers, knowing this voice is just waiting to rear its head, actually do not make the proper space and time to study. They find it easier to field distractions and even future failure than to deal with present emotional turmoil.
Important note: To shut off that critical, defeatist, discouraging voice, some exam takers turn to over-studying. That takes a LOT of energy, and time, and has a diminishing return. This time and energy could better be used for effective, focused study, rejuvenating rest, and a balanced lifestyle. (In my work across the United States, I’ve met more than one exam taker who has fallen asleep DURING THE TEST).
If a bar exam taker isn’t…
guarding their study time,
sticking to their study plan,
consistently implementing their study strategies and
seeing progress in their study,
…a mindset check might be in order.
I’ve created a resource that will help you get started on your mindset shift, whether you’re a first-time taker or taking the Bar again. Click below to get started on embracing a success mindset, meeting your potential, and proudly finishing this chapter of your life.