| Tuesday, June 27, 2006 |
| 4 Weeks Bitch!!!!! (give or take!!!!) |
Oh the joy of essay writing.....at least this time around I have the peace of mind of knowing a little bit of what to expect.....for those of you who may be reading and have never taken an actual bar exam before.....I have a few pieces of advice that may make you breathe a little easier......take it (or leave it) from someone who has done this way too many times....
- You absolutely need to be prepared to face the fact that no matter how many questions you do in preparation for the exam (and I am really very certain this is the best way to prepare for this part)....there will be a question you will have no f******g clue about....as long as you are ready for that....and ready to not be freaked out by it...you will be infinitely more prepared....your bar review will talk about the need to "make up" law when you don't know it.....this is where you need that skill, as well as the ability to not think "oh my god, oh my god, oh my god" ....I did about 15 practice essays per topic last time....that is really plenty.....and memorized mad black letter law.....there was still a civ pro question I was unfamiliar with when test time came.....but....because I had done so many practice questions....I was at least familiar enough to make a good guess.....I got a 6/10 on the question and did not even know what I was talking about.....
- You do really have to memorize simple rules of law and have them down stone cold...this will give you so much confidence going into the test.....I usually practice my essay questions before and after I memorize my rule statements.....you will be shocked how many more essay questions you can answer after you've memorized your black letter.
- Become at peace with the mantra......"You cannot know it all...." funny thing is that the more you embrace that.....the more you will begin to remember.....but be sure you at least know the big stuff...all the elements in a tort.....all the elements in a crime....
So far I've knocked out 4 of my 12 essay subjects...... tomorrow I'm starting on subject number 5....I've been trying to stick to my 33 MBE's per day....the deal is to practice 33 per hour....that's pretty close to test conditions.....and then write up the missed ones.....I'm keeping them on index cards with rings....easier to keep up with....I'm such a freak I know..... |
posted by Bar Bitch @ 5:48 PM   |
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| Tuesday, June 20, 2006 |
| Confucius and Dr. Suess Say.... |
In case you haven't noticed....I am an eternal optimist.....no doubt it is the stuff that has carried me so far in life....and made it so I have not yet lost my mind over sitting for the bar.....yet again....of course by now I have come to realize that "this too shall pass"....and aren't are I damned lucky to even be able to sit for this bitch of a test in the fine state of North Carolina? Think how many people will never even get to try.....
One of the things that really gets me through is quotes.... I love them....and find them everywhere......movies, books, fortune cookies, even my baby girl's Dr. Suess..... I know you have them.....we all have them.... so fess up!!!!! I hope people will post some kick ass bar motivation for us all here.....
Some of my personal favorites.....
Our greatest glory is not in never falling,
but in rising every time we fall. (or fail....)
- Confucius
My downfall raises me to great heights.
- Napoleon Bonaparte
When we begin to take our failures non-seriously,
it means we are ceasing to be afraid of them.
It is of immense importance to learn to laugh
at ourselves.
- K. Mansfield
A lot of successful people are risk-takers.
Unless you're willing to do that--to have a go (or three or four)
fail miserably, and have another go, (or three or four)
Success won't happen.
- P. Adams
I highly suggest everyone go out and buy a copy of Dr. Suess' Oh, the Places You'll Go.....it was clearly written for anyone who is taking the bar exam....I came across it not long ago and it made me weep openly.....not that I want any of you weep openly....but it's beautiful stuff....and it's Suess....something we all need right now.....about moving mountains.....what could be more relevant? |
| posted by Bar Bitch @ 8:24 PM |
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| Sunday, June 18, 2006 |
| A lot more Action..... |
Oh this past week was a killer...got my first 600 MBE's knocked out, sorry for the sporadic posting... this coming week I'm ready to start doing the daily MBE's more for timing and in weak areas...I'm also moving into essay writing this week....
I do one subject per day and write essays on that subject for about four hours....I keep the essays for later use as far as rule retention....you know, like did I know the rule or have no freakin clue? I'll be doing this for the next three weeks....I'll switch gears and do MBE in the afternoons....what I did not last test was do the MBE in the afternoons....I'm hoping the more balanced approach will get me where I need to be....
In completely unrelated news........ dating and the bar exam....eharmony has matched me with the love of my life....(snort, I know, for all the cynics out there...) he has been sending me highly illicit emails for the past two weeks which seems to be making the studying easier....I've been officially propositioned by a married man....who called me for a grand total of three weeks before he felt moved to tell me he had a wife and two children....I do not even need to relate to you what I told him given my past history with the adulterer in my own past....and I had to tell a helicopter rescue diver to go take a swim in the deep part of the ocean and not come back (so depressing, he was built like a greek god I tell you) because he said he'd be happy to make an "exception" for me....his exception being that he doesn't date women with children....granted I haven't passed the bar yet...but I'm blonde, curvy....and witty as hell....who exactly do these men think they're dealing with? .....exception my ass.....it is possible that everyone who wrote in saying that I should abstain from dating and trying to get laid right now were completely right..... just so damned depressing.... |
| posted by Bar Bitch @ 4:28 PM |
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| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 |
| Still Slugging it Out...... |
Done:
1) 100 Evidence MBE's
2) Write up for missed questions
Evidence Down.....on to Torts MBE's..... 100 for tomorrow.... and then the write up....generally takes me a good five hours to do the whole thing.....this first week is the hardest for me....so much repetition.....but in the past I know what's worked for me on MBE's....it's not mindless repetition, doesn't really work unless you focus...but geez it does it take forever.....
The Plan: 6/14/06
1) 100 Tort MBE's
2) Write up |
| posted by Bar Bitch @ 5:20 PM |
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| Sunday, June 11, 2006 |
| 6 Weeks Bitch!!!!!!! |
The Plan: 6/12/ 06
1) Evidence MBE's 100
2) Evidence MBE Write up for all questions missed
Here it is, as promised, the study plan .....today marks my official 6 Week countdown.....since I'm worn out just looking at the plan for tomorrow....I'm done for today.... |
| posted by Bar Bitch @ 5:10 PM |
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| Saturday, June 10, 2006 |
| Forget Walking the Line....I'm Still trying to Draw it... |
One of the really tricky or trying things during this period....ie...bar review...which started as a 4 week period and has turned into almost two years for me....is the art treading lightly.....or insulating yourself from any possible trauma if possible....or for some...total isolation from the world (CIA....if you are still in cyberspace....I do mean you...)
I failed awfully at this the first time I took the bar....and failed the bar....second time I didn't do much better at it....I think your level of freak out-ability is probably a pretty good barometer of how lightly you are treading right now.... in other words....are you able to just let it roll baby?
In case you haven't noticed by now, I am awfully interested in all the other things that play into this test that affect passing and failing besides just being well prepared....because I know you can be smart as a freaking whip and still come up short....I don't make excuses people....but I don't beat the crap out of myself either....I just want to succeed next time......
I found out last night that my baby bro....who is on probation and sadly enough also has a habit that I will leave unamed for the moment....has skipped town....I know this because his probie officer called me.....this is one of those times that treading lightly comes to mind....and it is especially hard because it feels unnatural and selfish to me...because I talk about all these things but I am still struggling too.....
No doubt....my mom will want to talk about this for hours....but really no time for that right now, and I have to say no...... (of course this is the same mom who gave me away years and years ago.....but that is a whole different issue for another blog I think....) the point is that it is hard for some people maybe to draw lines......how do you say....don't upset me while I study for this freakin test ok?
.....for me it is still an issue my with my boss.....he wants to talk ALL THE TIME about why I haven't passed the bar yet, (he really thinks it a conspiracy because I went to school out of state bless his heart) and how the office is in FINANCIAL RUIN without me.....since that makes me feel shitty, I draw the line with him....this may sound idiotic to some of you....but for me....a huge step......this man is going to be my business partner....saying no takes nads
I feel better every time I stand up for myself....will it help me pass? I think yes....every bit of piece of mind and serenity you can give yourself while you gear up for this bitch exam is a gift you HAVE TO HAVE and you are freaking entitled to it...I am putting this in print because even though I believe these words....I still have to do some inner battle over them.....
Ok enough!!!! Go meditate or something.... |
| posted by Bar Bitch @ 9:05 AM |
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| Friday, June 09, 2006 |
| The Study Machine |
The end of this week pretty much marks the end of substantive review for me ....starting next week I am seriously going to be revving up the study machine and kicking serious ass for the remaining six weeks heading into this test.....I think I'll keep track of my plans here on the blog from here on on out...one, because my bar idol Cali did so last time out...so I'm ripping off the idea(Cali kicks ass) and two, I think its a good way to stay accountable....
Time to start stretching the essay muscles and doing those daily MBE's.....don't confuse my tone....I am not really excited about any of this.....just really, really, determined....besides....what is the worst that could possibly happen at this point? Failing? Hah!!!!!....I think I might it recommend it!!! Good for the soul baby!!!!!! Maybe I should have shirts made for the bar exam...... repeater....and proud!!!!!!.... or not....wouldn't want to deliberately upset anybody, that's not my intention.....but the faces would be priceless wouldn't they? |
| posted by Bar Bitch @ 2:21 PM |
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| Thursday, June 08, 2006 |
| Fat Ass Bar Review |
I decided that I was not going to sit for another exam with an ass that was a size or two wider than I wanted this time around....and for those of you who are counting....yes there have been at least three exams with a larger ass than necessary....I figure at least this way I can look really hot while I take the test yes?
I mentioned before that I popped out a kid in law school....before that I was size 6 and I slugged down Pepsi products like water and managed to maintain no problem....between the baby....law school and dealing with aforementioned cheating husband, the skinny disappeared and eating when sad, lonely, worried, or depressed snuck in....I guess I somehow thought that having a huge ass would help my situation....
And don't even get me started on bar review eating for the love of god.....what is it about stress that makes me think that eating an entire Sam's Club jar of Runt's while I studied every day was ok? Oh...and the six pack of soda chasers every day too.... I don't even know what I gained during the last go round....but it wasn't good....
What does this have to do with bar review? Alot for me....not that my butt should have anything to do with my esteem....but if you aren't taking care of yourself it is probably a damn good wake up call....I was so consumed with this exam along with the other things I've mentioned here that I stopped caring about me....it is hard to do well on something as mentally grueling as this test if you haven't got your shit together....bottom line.....why make it harder on yourself? Get all of it together....body...mind...buddha...(if you dig on that)
Since I've started this bar review I've lost 22 pounds....I've sworn off the soda....except for one in the morning cause I can't freakin live without it......and I am jogging again......I feel awesome.....I am so going after this test balls out....like a very, very good friend of mine told me once....its the only way to go....
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| posted by Bar Bitch @ 10:12 PM |
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| Wednesday, June 07, 2006 |
| MBE's and the Buddha..... |
Working though the property MBE's was great fun...snort.....it does get me thinking about all the times I've done this before.....like way back when I first started looking at MBE's and how I felt back then....in a few words....SHEER UNADULTERATED PANIC...... I remember thinking how can I be so utterly unprepared by law school to answer some multiple choice questions on stuff I did pretty well on while I was there...there is just no way I can do this!!!!!!...but after a while they got easier....
MBE's really are something in and of themselves though aren't they? As someone who personally has beat them down on at least one exam....lemme tell you what I know to be true...at least for me.....
- If your Bar Review tells you that your MBE score really won't move that much....well just read the MBE saga on my blog....I moved my score a colossal amount of points (up and down) and it had nothing to do with making a mistake on the bubble sheet.....the down side to that is that much of it for me was probably plain old rote memorization which explains why I didn't kick as much ass on the MBE last exam and missed the brass ring by two points on my most recent attempt.....
- I read in a book not too long ago, "I'll Die if I don't Pass the Bar Exam," that most students score less than 50% in practice MBE's right up until the final week or two before the exam...maybe you already knew that....I sure as hell didn't....and it would have made me feel so much better while I was preparing all the times before.....
- I made flash cards for the questions that I missed and for the questions that got right by dumb luck....it worked.....probably because it forced me to look at the questions again....I promise eventually those MBE's make more sense....they are patterned......you just have to repeat them enough to see the pattern.....
- Pay attention to your Bar Review when they tell you not to spend too much time on MBE's at the expense of your Essay prep.....here in NC....those suck ass things only count for 40%...I posted a killer score at one point on them but it was not enough to make up for my very lackluster essays.....don't keep doing MBE's because they seem "easier" to practice than those damn essays...
Alrighty......that is my buddha bar wisdom for the day...... |
| posted by Bar Bitch @ 1:29 PM |
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| Monday, June 05, 2006 |
| What did we Learn in Law School? |
This week is Property lectures....whoo hooo...... no matter how many times I prepare for this exam I find that I still have to......you guessed it....prepare again.....and honestly, I don't think that's because I am especially non academically gifted, although some might wonder at this point....I think it really does just highlight how much of this material I for one was never exposed to at all in law school.... (I still am finding myself saying, why have I never even heard of that?) and shows me how much better able I retain when I am relaxed..... because I am still learning new things even now......
Even though I have a weekly schedule with the weeks neatly plotted, all counting down to the Big Dance, it surprises me how close we are coming already..... 7 Weeks!!!!! good god....I'm glad....the sooner the better I say.....tomorrow.....about another 100 property MBE's....happy, happy, joy,joy....yeah, this test, I am kicking MBE ass again.... |
| posted by Bar Bitch @ 4:58 PM |
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