If you are studying for the bar exam and feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. In fact, most bar exam students feel stressed, behind or underprepared at some point (or many points) during bar prep.
The good news is that feeling overwhelmed does not necessarily mean you are doing something wrong. Often, it simply means you need a more sustainable approach to studying.
Below are several ways to reduce stress, study more effectively and make bar prep feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
- Make a bar prep calendar and checklist
Without boundaries around your study time, bar prep can quickly feel endless. Many students try to squeeze in “just one more hour” of studying, only to feel increasingly anxious, guilty or burned out.
The truth is, if you are studying all day, adding an additional hour will not be nearly as productive as maximizing the hours you already have planned.
So instead of studying reactively, study strategically. Take a few minutes each day to plan when you will study and what you will accomplish during that time. Be specific. For example, maybe over the course of a day, you plan to do the following:
- Watch a lecture on Evidence
- Review the Evidence outline
- Complete a 50-question multiple-choice set
- Review missed questions
- Outline or answer two essays
- Self-grade essays
Planning your tasks ahead of time helps reduce decision fatigue and gives your study sessions structure.
It is also important to plan your breaks. I recommend “power breaks” where you do something that energizes you. For example, go on a walk, call a friend or cook a healthy meal.
Then make sure you have something planned for the end of each day that you look forward to. It could be watching 30 minutes of your favorite show, reading a book or chatting with a friend. Having something to look forward to can help you maintain motivation over the long haul.
- Learn the law before diving into practice questions
Many students become overwhelmed after receiving a disappointing score on a practice set or staring at an essay prompt they do not know how to answer.
Often, the problem is not intelligence or lack of effort. The problem is timing. Some students finish a lecture and immediately jump into practice questions without taking sufficient time to learn and review the material. This can create frustration and self-doubt. It can also lead to an endless loop of repeatedly answering practice questions and never seeing your score improve.
After reviewing a subject, give yourself time to actively learn the law. Review your outline, quiz yourself on the law or summarize concepts in your own words.
Only then should you move into practice. When you understand and learn the material before taking practice exams, you will get better results and feel more confident.
- Don’t take practice exams when you are exhausted
Some students do practice questions or essays late at night simply because they want to check something off their list. However, taking an exam when you are completely exhausted can backfire. Poor performance due to fatigue often leaves students feeling even more stressed or discouraged.
Whenever possible, complete practice work when you are reasonably alert and able to focus. And when you do practice, try to make it realistic. Complete questions under timed exam-like conditions. Resist the urge to constantly check outlines or pause the timer. Part of bar prep is learning the law. Another part is building the focus and stamina required for exam day.
- Exercise
Exercise can be incredibly helpful during bar prep, not only for your physical health but also for your mental health.
You do not need an elaborate fitness routine. A walk, run, strength workout, yoga session or other form of movement can help reduce stress, improve mood and increase energy. Further, exercise will help you concentrate better and retain more information.
Make sure that you plan exercise into your bar prep routine.
- Prioritize sleep
Sleep and learning are closely connected. When you sacrifice sleep to study longer, you make it harder for yourself to learn, retain and apply information.
Many students have experienced this firsthand: a concept that felt confusing at night suddenly seems much clearer the next morning after adequate rest. If you feel stuck, sometimes the most productive thing you can do is step away, sleep and return with a refreshed mind.
Bar prep is demanding, but studying more hours is not always the answer. Creating a realistic plan, actively learning the material, practicing strategically and taking care of yourself can make bar prep feel significantly more manageable.
