So you’ve graduated now what….
With graduations over or soon to be over, what’s next for this year’s graduates? For some the bar exam, for others time off but for most the job search still continues! As graduates complete one hurdle another is on the horizon. What should you be doing to study for the bar and beyond!!! Here is some advice based on many years of working with graduates…
1) Do not follow the crowd – this is the most important time in your career to strike out on your own! What do I mean? When I studied for the bar I knew that sitting in a class room, passively listening, was not going to work for me. I need to be focused and I learned by repetition not crowd pleasing. I also needed to isolate myself from what I call the bar crazies (you know the ones that will act like they know it all but still whip people into a frenzy!). Do what works best for you.
2) Study for the bar as if you training for a marathon because that is what it is. Start studying at the same time every day; eat during what would be your break from the exa
m! This is to prepare you mentally and physically for the day of the exam.
3) Find a way to manage your stress, find a way to manage your stress, find a way to manage your stress! Most people, who do not pass the bar, do not pass because they were not prepared mentally! You already know what you need to know about the law, what you need to prepare is your mind for success. I used positive affirmations to condition my mind for success…you need to the same.
4) Keep distractions at bay! Family, boyfriends, girlfriends, best friends! If they are not adding to your life right now with unconditional support then they are taking away. If they love you and they care, they will be there when you are done! 
Please remember that quality of study is better than quantity! Your mind and your body can physically only take so much before you reach the point of no return.
Take care of yourself, mind, body and soul!