But first, a comment. I have been true to my promise that I wouldn't read the comments. I stopped having them sent to my email and, as you can tell from the lack of posts, I haven't been here much over the past five weeks or so. Just the occasional short post, then out.
I suspect there has been some encouragement, and I very much appreciate that, even though I haven't read the exact words. And I hope there hasn't been much negativity. My guess is that the number of negative posts has decreased because most of those people get enjoyment when they cause angst and anguish and it's no fun when your target isn't paying attention. Which is why I've pretty much ignored them in the past - not reading the comments at all is merely taking that practice to the extreme.
But on to my final thought ...
If I've learned one thing these past few years, it's that the number of people who have taken the bar exam two or more times is hugely greater than the number of people who passed on their first attempt. As such, if this is your second or third attempt (or seventh!) waste no mental energy on lamenting that fact. You are in very good company. People fail this exam for many different reasons, most of which are as unique as the person struggling through them. As for me, the challenges I've endured are mostly over, but now I find that my recollection of the law (you know, that stuff we learned in law school) has deteriorated, and not just a little bit. As a result, as confident as I am that I'm going to pass this thing, the reality of the situation has tempered my expectations a bit.
HOWEVER, knowledge is power. And I'm going to use this knowledge to improve my chances in February of 2011. My plan is simply to keep studying after this exam is over. I'll take the weekend off, but come Monday I'll start to rebuild the solid foundation of law that existed back in June of 2007 when I graduated from law school. I'm going to build outlines and flash cards from scratch, just like I did way back when.
I've also had the benefit of getting some excellent technical advice on my writing (Thanks, Michael and Andrew and Steve!) - advice I wasn't able to implement completely before this exam, but which will be an integral part of my reconstructed foundation.
Notwithstanding all that, however, I'm still cramming for this exam. And despite all I wrote above, I'm still hoping for good news in November. Even though I've forgotten much, I still remember quite a bit, and there's a reasonable chance that the make-up of this exam could overlay nicely the areas in which I'm still fairly strong. Hey, I'm still here, right? I'm writing this between the 100 MBEs I did this morning and the essays I'm going to write after this is posted.
So, best of luck to all takers - both first-timers and (especially) all of us repeaters!
To very loosely paraphrase the time honored maxim of Equity, "If it can be done, it will be done" (and it certainly can be done!)*
And now, there's a dragon out there that needs slaying. Lets git 'er done!
GP
(* "Equity looks upon that as done which ought to have been done.")
26 comments:
GP-
This is the one, %uck Feb- we're crashing the bar passage celebration on November 19, 2010 at 6pm.
Believe that son.
Good luck GP.
Do not set yourself up for failure.
This is it.
BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!
When u see that MBE, or that essay Q that makes you think, oh sh!t. Just say to yourself, I will see my name on the pass list and I'M GOING TO ARGUE THE HELL OUT OF YOU! The grader may see u forgot that piece of law or prong, but he'll know u understand the issue and your excellent argument.
you got this, GP. i hope you are writing 80's as i type!
Your study idea rocks, GP.
I took a few days after my exam to decompress, then I hit the books again, just a few hours each day, like doing MBE questions from my bottomless supply, or listening to tapes in the car, or reading Breeden Attack Sheets.
My name was on the pass list, but the cumulative hours of study over that time was not wasted. It kept the legal lobes of my brain alert and kept me grounded.
In some strange way it was like using Murphy's Law to my advantage.
Greetings Brian,
Praying for you and wishing you the best on this 7th and Final attempt at the bar exam.
I had a conversation with you a while ago, in which I stated that, I strongly believe that the universe listens to your thoughts, be it that they are good or bad and delivers to you, exactly what you are thinking about.
In reading your latest post, I must say, that I was a bit shocked and disturbed, that you went into this 7th attempt with these two negatives in mind:
1)A Final Thought Before the Battle is Joined (again) ...
Brian, this might just be the problem you see, you are looking at this exam as a battle, where you should be looking at it, as just another day at your legal practice.
2)If I've learned one thing these past few years, it's that the number of people who have taken the bar exam two or more times is hugely greater than the number of people who passed on their first attempt.
Brian, if you critically read what you stated above, you too will arrive at the conclusion, that you are entering a state of denial, as to why you are not passing, as well as, telling yourself, that it's ok to be second best.
3)As for me, the challenges I've endured are mostly over, but now I find that my recollection of the law (you know, that stuff we learned in law school) has deteriorated, and not just a little bit.
Brian, challenges in life, will never stop facing any of us, therefore, you have to find a way to work through it all. In terms of remembering the law, we all had three years of law school to learn it, bar prep to memorize it and all previous attempts (7) at the bar exam to master it. Going in there without the black letter law engraved to your brain, is certainly not a good thing.
4)As a result, as confident as I am that I'm going to pass this thing, the reality of the situation has tempered my expectations a bit.
Brian, I am confused here, are you confident or not?...it seems that you are admitting to not knowing the law and therefore you may not be confident that you are going to pass.
5)And I'm going to use this knowledge to improve my chances in February of 2011.
Brian, Brian, Brian, you can't go in there before the exam even starts and think to yourself that February (8th try) will be your calling. This is complete insanity and suicide.
6)Notwithstanding all that, however, I'm still cramming for this exam.
Brian, by now, your 7th attempt, you should not have to cram, you have to believe, that you either know it or you don't.
7)And despite all I wrote above, I'm still hoping for good news in November.
Brian, you should not be hoping here, you should know for a fact, that you have succeeded.
8)Even though I've forgotten much, I still remember quite a bit, and there's a reasonable chance that the make-up of this exam could overlay nicely the areas in which I'm still fairly strong.
Brian, you cannot tell yourself that you have forgotten any of it period. Waiting for overlays is only good, when gambling on a sporting event of the ponies, you know that.
9)I'm writing this between the 100 MBEs I did this morning and the essays I'm going to write after this is posted.
Brian, lastly, you should not be even be thinking about blogging during your studies period. Nothing in this blog, can help you pass this exam.
Now, if you think I came across a bit harsh, good, I believe in tough love and friendship. You are one of the most genuine an nice person I have ever met, I just want for you to change your mind set, which will collaborate in you passing this exam, once and for all. I actually want to see you succeed Brian, when you do some day, you will make a great lawyer I think.
As for me, I am doing fine, still struggling with many things in life, but not allowing the bar exam, to bring all the pain and suffering to all my loved ones any more. I have completed law school just like you, considering that education to come in handy, in many aspects of life. I have attempted the exam four times, failing each time, so I am at comfort and peace with the decision that I have made in not continuing down this destructive path. I also wanted to be a lawyer, but not at the cost of my health, spouse, children family and friends. There has to be more to life than this.
Brian, I will continue to pray for you the next couple of days and certainly beyond, but please believe me whe I say to you again' "What your spirit, mind and heart believes in 100% is what you are going to get as a result from the universe, no way around that my friend."
Your friend (or maybe not after this)
Gabriel
6)Notwithstanding all that, however, I'm still cramming for this exam.
Brian, by now, your 7th attempt, you should not have to cram, you have to believe, that you either know it or you don't.
7)And despite all I wrote above, I'm still hoping for good news in November.
Brian, you should not be hoping here, you should know for a fact, that you have succeeded.
8)Even though I've forgotten much, I still remember quite a bit, and there's a reasonable chance that the make-up of this exam could overlay nicely the areas in which I'm still fairly strong.
Brian, you cannot tell yourself that you have forgotten any of it period. Waiting for overlays is only good, when gambling on a sporting event of the ponies, you know that.
9)I'm writing this between the 100 MBEs I did this morning and the essays I'm going to write after this is posted.
Brian, lastly, you should not be even be thinking about blogging during your studies period. Nothing in this blog, can help you pass this exam.
Now, if you think I came across a bit harsh, good, I believe in tough love and friendship. You are one of the most genuine an nice person I have ever met, I just want for you to change your mind set, which will collaborate in you passing this exam, once and for all. I actually want to see you succeed Brian, when you do some day, you will make a great lawyer I think.
As for me, I am doing fine, still struggling with many things in life, but not allowing the bar exam, to bring all the pain and suffering to all my loved ones any more. I have completed law school just like you, considering that education to come in handy, in many aspects of life. I have attempted the exam four times, failing each time, so I am at comfort and peace with the decision that I have made in not continuing down this destructive path. I also wanted to be a lawyer, but not at the cost of my health, spouse, children family and friends. There has to be more to life than this.
Brian, I will continue to pray for you the next couple of days and certainly beyond, but please believe me whe I say to you again' "What your spirit, mind and heart believes in 100% is what you are going to get as a result from the universe, no way around that my friend."
Your friend (or maybe not after this)
Gabriel
what subjects were on the morning essays?
i hope:
1) everyone's predictions came true
2) everyone used facts, facts and more facts
3) and that you all IRAC'd your hearts out!
best of luck to all taking the exam and remember to get some dinner and relax after the pt. then, review mbe journals or whatever else helps you for mbe wednesday.
hey Gabriel,
thanks for the tips,
but harshness isn't what GP needed right now,
he needed your support not critique,
and you're not even tryin' anymore so just pipe down please.
keep the fires burnin GP,
we're with you :)
Agreed - Gabriel (a.k.a. Captain Buzzkill, hereinafter "CBK") should remember that context is king.
I realize the relative safety of an anonymous blog gives me more leeway to speak freely than I would normally in the presence of a total stranger; that said, CBK: Dude, GP is in the middle of taking a really difficult exam, and this is the moment you are taking to lecture him? That is some passive-aggressive bullshit. Especially considering that you began your post with some new-agey nonsense about how the universe listens to GP's thoughts, I'm inclined to believe that GP shouldn't take you seriously.
GP: Focus buddy. CBK may be well-intentioned, but don't sweat his polemic today. Just eat the food that's in front of you at this point, you dig?
-Three time repeater
In case you need to bounce ideas or get help, please contact forpeopleofcolor.org. They have tons of resources and a bar exam guide.
Dear Gabriel,
Get a life. PLEASE get a life!!!
How can you even THINK about criticizing someone who is trying and fighting when you’re - simply put - A QUITTER.
And you call yourself "a friend". I'm not sure how "close of a friend you are, but I am a fan of his and I sincerely hope he tells your ass where to go and how to get there -- when he finds out he passes.
Sincerely,
You go GP - I know you can do it, I know you can do it, I know you can do this. Feel your own power and knock it dead.
My thoughts are with you.
Chris
HI!
I agree with Gabriel, GP's post demonstrated he was already making excuses before taking the exam.
Gabriel, your life situation is different. If I recall, you lost a father just recently. Your path in life does not include taking the bar at this time. That isn't being a quitter at all.
The bar is a mental game. I just pray GP has the confidence to know that.
Whereever you are GP...be good to yourself.
Good luck GP!
followed up blog in jan 2008 when i took the bar exam. good luck this time around brother.
GP,
You are an inspiration for everyone that know about you. God bless you and all the best. You can do it!!!
Poobah,
Hope you found the test manageable and nailed it.
-CUBuff
dude, it is time to decompress and realize THIS was your time.
breathe and take solace in the fact that you deserve to pass and yesterday was the last non-paid day of legal work of your life.
(however, as an avid reader, i would like to request a bar summary in the upcoming weeks... thanks!)
I'm afraid I'm with Gabriel on this.
It's a tough lesson to learn, but as they say in AA, "half measures availed us nothing".
Call me Dr Phil if you like, but I'm starting to wonder if you don't set aside the time and space to do this properly because if you did, you''d be taking the risk that you're not up to it - with the irony being you sabotage yourself, ensuring your failure instead.
We stood at the turning point. Like everyone else, you will have to approach the next exam with complete abandon if you want to kill this.
Hey, maybe B will pass this time and I'll look like a major league asshole. But with this state of mind, if he were a horse, I would not bet on him re Cali Bar.
I await the onslaught with interest.
Brian,
what is most incredible about reading u, and everyone's comments, is that I hear myself and my friends all over again. I did what u have done. I was told I knew it well, and thought no, I've forgotten a lot. Did u read the "model" answers? It's NOT ABOUT REMEMBERING everything!!! It's about seeing the issue and arguing with the law u do remember. For this u only need: trust, self love, faith IN YOU! Attempts are crushing, but they are just attempts. You keep at it this time. So IF THERE IS A NEXT TIME, you'll have the confidence u lack. Not law, not practice, u already have that. Don't tell me u wouldn't seat for the bar if it was given again in a month. Then you'd be ready right? U were ready Brian, but if u didn't make it, it's because u did not believe in yourself. If u remembered an issue after... Hello! You knew it, but u sabotaged urself. If u couldn't memorize at the end, the community property rules, necessary party crap, minimum contacts, the Lemon test, character vs. impeachment, 6th vs. 5th. all easy, long or short sentences. But your state of mind was saying I need more time... so u went in believing u were not ready, WHEN U KNOW u got a 70 before, not really knowing the law.
So there my friend, that's my 2 cents. Keep studying until u see ur name on the pass list.
Bests.
Where r u GP???? I am waiting for a breakdown of the exam! Please advise!
Just kidding, hope your well Brian and recouping from slaying the beast..all we can do is our best given our circumstances and this is what you have done time and again. I commend you!! Good Luck!!
Where are you GP?
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