Last Updated June 2021 by Crystallace
When bar prep first starts, you are bright eyed and bushy tailed. You plan to work out, eat good, attend your sessions, and get through your work. Then a couple weeks go by and your feelings start to change into one of these:
Anxiety
Failing the bar is not the worst thing in the world. Don’t let your anxiety about this exam keep you from preparing and performing the best you can.
If you let it anxiety can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep and negatively effect your study habits.
Loneliness
For three years you have seen the same people almost every day. Undoubtedly you’ve made a law school BFF and some of your classmates may even feel like family. You have gotten so use to seeing this people regularly and all of sudden it stops and you want to check in with them but then you realize that they are studying too. Not to mention you’ve put your social life on hold (friends, family, relationship) and now it’s just you, your laptop, and the law.
Bar prep can feel isolating because it is isolating and it’s ok if you feel lonely. It’s only temporary.
Worthlessness
You may start to feel like you’re not capable. Like the bar is just too much information and that you can’t remember anything. Take each day at a time. Remember that bar prep is a marathon not a sprint. It is not designed for you to know everything overnight. Diligent study habits and repetition is key. You can do this!
Depression
All of these feelings may add up to depression for you. You may start to see your eating habits change. You may find it hard to get out of bed and start studying. Try to find someone you can talk to who will understand what you’re going through. Someone who will listen and not just brush off your feelings.
Try this wind down before bed:
- Take a hot shower or bath.
- Play some instrumental relaxing or meditation music. You can find plenty of it on Apple music or Spotify.
- Spray your pillows with pillow mist.
- Turn on a humidifier and add a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oils.
If you think you may have bar prep depression reach out to a professional
If you are experiencing any of the above, I also urge you to speak to a professional. I resisted doing so because I thought that I was letting an exam punk me. I did everything that I suggested in this article but additionally I signed up for Talkspace.
Talkspace is an app that lets you pick out a therapist that looks like you. You can choose how much therapy you can afford, how often you need it, and how you want it. For me, texting a therapist twice a week helped get through bar prep.
Conclusion
I want you to know that these feelings are totally normal and more common than you think. Your peers may not share how they’re feeling because they’re too embarrassed. Bar prep is no walk in the park.
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I can totally relate to the anxiety and depression part. Passing the bar was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I tried holding everything in but two days before the exam I had to let it all out (and by letting it all out I mean sob like a little child)! Thank God that’s over!