Taking the bar exam is one of the most stressful things you will do as a recent law school graduate. It’s also a necessary step for anyone who wants to practice law. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make preparing for the bar exam a little easier.
Take a Review Course
Although you have technically learned everything you need to pass the bar exam in law school, it still helps to enroll in a review course as part of your preparation. There are plenty of courses out there, and many of them allow you to participate online. They can give you a better idea of how the bar exam is structured and help you develop a study schedule that works best for you.
Set a Study Schedule
Even if you decide not to take a bar exam review course, you still need to set a regular study schedule for yourself. Keeping a regular schedule will help reinforce what you study and ensure that you’re not frantically cramming the night before your exam. Limit other activities and schedule them so they won’t interfere with your study time.
Study Actively
Reading your notes and textbooks to prepare for an exam is all well and good, but it’s also a passive study method. You’ll absorb plenty of information, but you might have trouble retaining it. Instead of simply reading information and hoping you’ll remember it, try to be more active by writing outlines or quizzing yourself with flashcards. You can also find plenty of practice exams online or through review courses that will give you a better idea of what it’s like to sit down and take the bar exam without the pressure of having to earn a passing score.
Take Care of Yourself
You’ll probably be tempted to study nonstop until the date of your exam, but that could end up hurting your chances of passing. You won’t be doing yourself any favors if you study to the point of mental and physical exhaustion, so don’t be afraid to take a break and practice self-care. If you find yourself getting confused and frustrated by difficult concepts or you just can’t stay awake anymore while you study, take a break. Get some sleep, have something to eat, or do something you enjoy for a while. You’ll feel much better and be more productive when you sit down to study again.