Demoralized; re-taking bar, but not motivated Forum

[old_soul]

In summary: I feel like I need a mental re-framing to pump me up.

(1) Failed the July bar.
(2) Haven't cracked open a book.
(3) My materials are in a box, and even simply looking at that box makes me feel sad.
(4) How can I stop f'ing with my head and get started?

HALP!

Much appreciated. Please don't flame me for this.

[rcharter1978]

In summary: I feel like I need a mental re-framing to pump me up.

(1) Failed the July bar.
(2) Haven't cracked open a book.
(3) My materials are in a box, and even simply looking at that box makes me feel sad.
(4) How can I stop f'ing with my head and get started?

HALP!

Much appreciated. Please don't flame me for this.

Baby steps....first....open the box

Then open a book in the box

Then actually start reading a book in a box

And maybe there is strength in numbers....find a study group? Or a repeaters course so you have to hold yourself accountable.

It is not easy. But someone gave me some good advice, she said to make sure you're starting your study day early (I'm a night owl) and leave the house (I haven't found a good place to study outside of the house, but I'm going to try to find a place)

Maybe just putting yourself in a different environment with your books will get you going.

[FinallyPassedTheBar]

As a six-time CA exam failure, I fully understand the feeling of lack of motivation. However, I am currently more motivated than I have ever been. Here are two sources that have increased my motivation:

1.
I'm seriously comparing my bar essay answers with actual high scoring answers. For the first time, I am understanding why my previous essays scored in the 55/60 range. This realization increases my positive feelings versus simply reviewing my old materials again.

Yeah I know it is unfortunate that the bar has not yet returned the July answers. (I am using my Feb answers to compare). But when you get your answers back, I would suggest signing up for Baressays.com to compare your essays against actual 70/80 graded essays.

2.
Adaptibar.com. I am nearly blown away by this MBE resource. The interface makes it seem like a fresh start. It has really helped me jump start my study regiment. It might sound ridiculous, but I look forward to starting my day logging in to Adaptibar....no joke.

If I were not using these sources, and instead just relied on opening up my stack of old barbri books...I seriously doubt I would be too motivated.

[FinallyPassedTheBar]

Also, if you are having a tough time opening your books, it might be because just looking at all of them seems overwhelming. I know my damned Barbri books are thick as hell. Just looking their thickness and how how high they stack up makes me want to burn them.

So instead I have individually separated all my Barbri outlines by subject matter. That makes it seem more manageable. All the other books are hidden away in my closet. I review from my outlines, and if there is something I am not clear on, that is the only time I go to the books. Otherwise, those books stay of of sight.

If you don;t have Barbri outlines, you might want to consider these:
http://www.practicalsteppress.com/lawbo ... ategory=14

I am thinking of buying a few myself.

[InTheWideLand I Walk]

your competition consists of mostly 24 year olds with tons of energy who are studying 16 hours a day in their moms basement rent and expense free. yes get off your couch and study that is your competition dont let them beat u or else you will be stuck again next time which they are rich

[sdphill]

your competition consists of mostly 24 year olds with tons of energy who are studying 16 hours a day in their moms basement rent and expense free. yes get off your couch and study that is your competition dont let them beat u or else you will be stuck again next time which they are rich

What are you talking about "beating"? It's ultimately up to the OP to pass the bar. It's a hard cut (i.e. certain number s/he has to score to pass). How is a 24 year old is his/her competition? The MBE curve?

[texasbar]

In summary: I feel like I need a mental re-framing to pump me up.

(1) Failed the July bar.
(2) Haven't cracked open a book.
(3) My materials are in a box, and even simply looking at that box makes me feel sad.
(4) How can I stop f'ing with my head and get started?

HALP!

Much appreciated. Please don't flame me for this.

I honestly felt the exact same way. Ultimately you just have to get up and do it! I was of the mind that I was going to start small and hoped to work my way back up to putting in a respectable # of hours. Then I was at Starbucks the other day doing some reading and someone had purchased a homeless man a drink. He asked me if I had anything he could read. We ended up chatting for a bit and he made me realize that I am fortunate to be in this position. He was desperate to learn and "exercise" his brain but didn't have the means. So if that doesn't help put a little fire under your ass I don't know what will!

[KatieSpades]

I agree with all of the advice here, especially the advice about taking baby steps first. If you feel overwhelmed by a lot of material, try reviewing more condensed outlines for the MBE subjects and work your way up. It's still early! You can do it!

[InTheWideLand I Walk]

your competition consists of mostly 24 year olds with tons of energy who are studying 16 hours a day in their moms basement rent and expense free. yes get off your couch and study that is your competition dont let them beat u or else you will be stuck again next time which they are rich

What are you talking about "beating"? It's ultimately up to the OP to pass the bar. It's a hard cut (i.e. certain number s/he has to score to pass). How is a 24 year old is his/her competition? The MBE curve?

everything is curved to some degree on the bar. moreover, they dont even decide what the correct answer is for the essays andpts until after the bar exam is over and they look at everyones answers. which means how well you do depends on how ur essay looks compared to everyone elses, not predetermined criteria.

[Neve]

In summary: I feel like I need a mental re-framing to pump me up.

(1) Failed the July bar.
(2) Haven't cracked open a book.
(3) My materials are in a box, and even simply looking at that box makes me feel sad.
(4) How can I stop f'ing with my head and get started?

HALP!

Much appreciated. Please don't flame me for this.

You need to get in the zone. During my bar study, I made a Bar Study Music Playlist on Spotify (6 hours long - one playlist is one study session; repeat playlist = 12 hours of study with reasonable breaks).

I also repeated the phrase, "I can do this" (Hunger Games reference) to myself until I believed it and ultimately, I did it. If you have to start every morning giving yourself a mental pep talk, do it ("I can do this. I'm here to study for the bar exam. I'm handing out lollipops and ass-whoopings and I'm all out of lollipops today. Bar Exam, prepared to be ass-whooped.") A lot of it comes down to mentality; if you don't have the right frame of mind, you will never get the proper study prep done to pass.

[mvp99]

the hardest step is the first one. just do it and do everything correctly from the beginning!

[FinallyPassedTheBar]

Have you started reviewing yet old_soul?

I had to take the day off today because a friend of mine got stranded on the freeway and I had to go help her.