| Friday, December 15, 2006 |
| Spanking the Monkey |
So what is the most important thing to be doing while you're studying for the Bar....again? I don't know if enough info is out on that topic, since most bar reviews are aimed at first time takers....and the few reviews that do cater to re-takers are heinously overpriced.....but I know that all of us deal with that question every day.....what should I be doing to make sure I pass next time?
I've read one good book on the subject....found it on Amazon....it's called "If I don't pass the Bar I'll Die.....the thing I like about it most is that it addresses more than the substantive material....because if I've learned only one thing through this insane re-taking experience it is that you can totally shoot yourself in the foot when it comes to a test of this magnitude....
We are all incredibly nervous heading in to take that exam the first time.....but if the impossible happens and you find yourself taking it again....I think not only are you dealing with a huge test but with a little-giant monkey on your back who continually whispers in your ear .....you know the monkey.....he says loving little things like, "You failed it already, you are going to fail again."..... or "Why is this time any different?"....or my personal monkey, who says,"You're a dumb ass, bitch."....
I do think it's harder to pass after the first shot....in large part because of what we inflict on ourselves during the months leading up to the re-test.....once you've failed.....well, you feel like a failure.....you will probably question yourself, your life, your desire to practice law and maybe your entire study approach, and desperately wonder why for the love of god, WHY!!!!!? Which is the culprit?.....
It's probably good to question your approach....you do have to figure out if it was effective or not...and then you have to create new plan that gives you confidence....I know that is easy for me to write and by no means easy to implement.....it's monumental though.....it is simply no damn good to be trying to adequately prepare while second-guessing every move you make and simultaneously telling yourself you suck more than life itself.....
I say a plan that gives you confidence because it is counter-productive to create a marathon study plan you can't fulfill....( like I will do 5000 MBE's before February).....your goal should be along the lines of a solid review of testable material...quality MBE review.....good knowledge of black letter....and confidence in essay writing along with memorized approaches for essays.....if you aren't able to stick to your plan...you'll make a mess for yourself....what with the guilt and self-loathing.....so make it a do-able thing.....but comprehensive.....
What I think is paramount though, even beyond your new and improved fight plan, is that damn monkey....to succeed as a retaker I am convinced you have to spank that monkey.....and as is true in so many other areas of life....sometimes to really get good at it, you may have to spank it often....you control the monkey, he does not control you.....and if the monkey is telling you daily that you can't, you won't, or that you have good reason to believe you'll never make it....you have got to manhandle the damn thing.....seriously, beat it into submission.....
And then try something new, experiment if you need too....you can, you will, and nothing will stop you from succeeding....whatever does it for you.....just get the monkey off your back...... |
posted by Bar Bitch @ 12:57 PM   |
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