When You Have Other Commitments - Part 3 - Custom Tailor

Parts 1 and 2 of this blog post series explored the first 2 options available to those who must prepare for the bar exam while balancing other commitments. Now we discuss Option 3 - Custom Tailor

Because there are always going to be unique circumstances among those who are studying for the bar exam, there are going to be unique solutions, as well.  Depending on your situation, you may have to tailor the first 2 options for the best fit, or come up with your own creative solutions.  This is what exactly what I had to do when I took the bar.

When I failed the bar the first time I took it (July 2008), it was because I did not put the time in.  I studied only a portion of what I knew I needed to.  My excuse was that I was too physically ill to put the necessary time in.  I was not surprised when I failed, but I knew that the next time I took the bar exam I would not fail.  I would not take it until I knew I could put the work in, and then I would do everything in my power to prepare adequately.

For me, that meant waiting 2 years to take the exam again (July 2010).  Early that year I knew I was at a place in my life that I could make it happen.  It still wasn’t easy.  I was a full-time stay at home mom, and my husband worked full time.  I knew I would only have Saturdays, part of Sundays, and the evenings after my husband came home from work and could take over caring for our son. Additionally, I would have to do a complete substantive review since I was completely cold on the law.

I began studying early on, and took every opportunity to get to the law library.  Originally I tried to set up my study desk at home in the bedroom to avoid time spent on a commute (another time-saving technique to try), but soon found out that there was too much at home to distract me.  I got more done at the library in less time than at home with more time.  My husband was also making sacrifices to help me meet my goal: getting home from work as early as possible, taking care of household chores I wasn’t keeping up, giving up time off for himself so he could take our son while I studied, etc.

As the exam drew close, it became apparent I needed to find even more time to study.  Therefore, we ended up having to spend money to pay for childcare during the day so I could get to the library full-time.  Even though this was hard, I knew it was necessary and we chalked it up to the financial cost of taking the bar exam.  It didn’t make sense to skimp to save a few bucks at this point.  We had already spent a lot of money on exam registration and study materials, not to mention all the hard work, sacrifices and time we both invested.  It would cost much less in the long run to pay for childcare and get it done right, than to cut corners and have to do it all over again.

In the end, these solutions worked with my family’s circumstances.  I did have to wait longer to re-take the exam, study longer to prepare for it, and spend more money, but it was what was necessary.  I don’t regret one decision we made, either.  It was such a joy to learn that I had passed the bar exam and that all the hard work, money, and sacrifices paid off.

In the end, it’s all about taking a realistic look at what your circumstances are and setting yourself up for success on the bar exam.  You need to ensure you are giving yourself enough time to adequately prepare.  Plus, the time you commit needs to be quality, so you must be taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Know what pace you can commit to, what sacrifices you and your family can make, and create a schedule that works.

{Did you find this post helpful? It came straight out of my book, The Goat’s Guide: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing for the California Bar Exam on Your Own}