Well, I have officially reached the final phase of the typical Bar exam freak-out: Acceptance.
My stress rash is gone, and I'm not having nightmares anymore. The kink in my neck is gone. I'm not having crazy hot flashes anymore. Generally, I've been sleeping pretty well. I'm still tired all the time, but not completely exhausted all the time.
I've accepted that it is impossible for me to have every single part of all 16 subjects memorized - even if I had my whole life to study. So, there are going to be some things on the test that I just don't know the answer to. And, I'll just make something up and move on.
After all, this thing is only supposed to make sure you have the "minimum competence" to practice law in CA. From the lawyers I've heard about, and from the appellate briefs I've read working for the California Innocence Project, it seems like that "bar" is very low.
There is just one thing I can't come to terms with - the CA Bar is letting in fewer members than ever before. How? By grading harder, and having harder questions. So, even though I know a ton about the law, I don't know the super tricky things or the things that pretty much no one actually understands. And, during the lectures the professors say "this has never been tested on the Bar, EVER, so you don't need to study it." But, to me that just means that they WILL test that now so they can keep more people out! So, hopefully the examiners won't be as hard and tricky as they can be.
No one knows why the Bar is letting fewer people in. I have a theory though: to discourage people from going to law school just to get rich, or just because they don't want to get a real job yet and their parents are going to foot the bill. Those jerks just clog up the job market for people who are actually trying to fulfill their dreams around here!
Also: one of the lecturing professors said that we should take 5 minutes each day from now until the exam to visualize ourselves taking the exam and then passing because (supposedly) that is what athletes do and studies have been done showing that visualization actually works. Or something. I tried doing that, but I spent almost the entire time visualizing what I'm going to have for breakfast. An everything bagel with cream cheese and avocado. Then, I started wondering if Sushi Deli will be open, and if it is even close to where the test is, and if I'll have time to go there during my hour lunch break on exam day. So, basically I wasted the whole 5 minutes thinking about food. But, I can now guarantee I will be eating well for those three days.
My stress rash is gone, and I'm not having nightmares anymore. The kink in my neck is gone. I'm not having crazy hot flashes anymore. Generally, I've been sleeping pretty well. I'm still tired all the time, but not completely exhausted all the time.
I've accepted that it is impossible for me to have every single part of all 16 subjects memorized - even if I had my whole life to study. So, there are going to be some things on the test that I just don't know the answer to. And, I'll just make something up and move on.
After all, this thing is only supposed to make sure you have the "minimum competence" to practice law in CA. From the lawyers I've heard about, and from the appellate briefs I've read working for the California Innocence Project, it seems like that "bar" is very low.
There is just one thing I can't come to terms with - the CA Bar is letting in fewer members than ever before. How? By grading harder, and having harder questions. So, even though I know a ton about the law, I don't know the super tricky things or the things that pretty much no one actually understands. And, during the lectures the professors say "this has never been tested on the Bar, EVER, so you don't need to study it." But, to me that just means that they WILL test that now so they can keep more people out! So, hopefully the examiners won't be as hard and tricky as they can be.
No one knows why the Bar is letting fewer people in. I have a theory though: to discourage people from going to law school just to get rich, or just because they don't want to get a real job yet and their parents are going to foot the bill. Those jerks just clog up the job market for people who are actually trying to fulfill their dreams around here!
Also: one of the lecturing professors said that we should take 5 minutes each day from now until the exam to visualize ourselves taking the exam and then passing because (supposedly) that is what athletes do and studies have been done showing that visualization actually works. Or something. I tried doing that, but I spent almost the entire time visualizing what I'm going to have for breakfast. An everything bagel with cream cheese and avocado. Then, I started wondering if Sushi Deli will be open, and if it is even close to where the test is, and if I'll have time to go there during my hour lunch break on exam day. So, basically I wasted the whole 5 minutes thinking about food. But, I can now guarantee I will be eating well for those three days.
Okay that last part about the visualization is hilarious. We used to have to visalize during cross country, but I would always find myself visualizing me dead in a ditch on the side of the road. Or happening upon an oasis and going swimming. So not quite what my coach had in mind.
ReplyDeletehow do you visualize passing the test.. are you supposed to visualize the 6 months you have to wait until you find out? and then what, visualize the email that says you passed or something?
ReplyDeletei don't think you have to visualize the whole six months. but, you are supposed to visualize going on the bar website and finding your name - the professor specifically mentioned visualizing that.
ReplyDeletei wonder if i will visualize seeing phil giadiari's (the guy who is alphabetically after me in every class) name below mine, or if i will decide to visualize him failing.
Sounds like he has been watching Oprah! I visualize you being the best daughter ever. Oh, you already are. Now I am hearing my wife calling me for dinner. Shrimp salad. I always dream about food too. Usually in chuch! It can be a very spiritual experience.
ReplyDeletewelcome to the 2nd trimester (aka the "honeymoon" trimester).
ReplyDeletedon't worry, food cravings are a perfectly normal symptom of pregnancy.
You're definitely going to pass. You know there are a ton of idiots out there doing nothing.
ReplyDeleteHow are you going to celebrate after you've finished? Islands