Wednesday, November 10, 2010

If You Haven't Yet Started To Study For The February 2011 Exam ...

... you should know that you've only got 14 weeks left.

Yikes, indeed.

As for me, I haven't been doing much writing but I have been listening to lectures.  I used to wonder if I shouldn't stop using my motorcycle as a primary mode of transportation because listening to lectures as I rode was too distracting.  But now, because my motorcycle is a pile of parts, I can listen to my heart's content (even though my heart would be content listening to almost anything else.)

I have done a little bit of writing, but I'm just talking about outlines.  One of the problems I had last time was that it would take me way too long to write an essay because I kept going back to my outlines to make sure I wasn't leaving anything out.  My goal this time is to have my outlines, and hence the rules, at least 75% memorized again so I can focus on the structure of my answer without the distraction of bouncing back and forth between it and the outline.

I apologize for being absent from here of late.  But every time I think of this blog I get just a bit frustrated, embarrassed, and angry with myself.  I can't think of a thing to write that I haven't written about before (multiple times!)  And I can't think of one good reason why someone who was serious about passing the bar exam would have any interest in anything I have to say. I'm sure my attitude will change when I get back into study mode but, for now, in this dead-zone between the exam and results, I've got more important things to worry about. 

I will pass this one item along, though; I forget who it was who referred me to Bar Review Solutions, but it was back at a time when I was lamenting my inability to put together a study schedule. These guys will let you download a free 8-week study schedule if you register on their site.  I'm using it as a starting place for my study program, all I have to do is expand it to the 12-, or 14-weeks, that I'm planning on studying.

That's it for now.  Good luck to those of us waiting for results. 

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Mr. Inspiration, Mr. Consistent, Mr. Tough:-)

I have been stalking you for quite some time. You are one (or two) batch senior than me in this painful adventure.

Wish you all the best GP. If I will make it or not, depends .... since I asked myself today glaring at one of those bright stars in the sky 'Do I deserve to pass?' and from some corner of my soul, I got an instant response 'you're kidding, right?'
So be it so, but for me it is equally important that you pass this time and open up a "hand's on experience strategy" for fellow failures like me ...
I realised now from your blog that indeed the bar was a wolf in a sheep's hide. Funny it may be , but the PM MBEs I found them to be piece of cake, if I did spot and got them right, I probably got 80/100 but on the AM MBEs I probably got 50/100. Among the Essay's, I screwed up CP because of lack of time while I put 80 minutes on the Crim Pro. I know, you are laughing at me, because of lack of preraration and timing issues. But you know it all GP, You are like the penguin guy with the coke strapes around his neck in Happyfeet :-), yes, the learned one! the chosen one, the incarnation! As for the PTs, I am still lamenting lack of time. had I 10 more minutes on each of them, I think I would have nailed it, through the plank, across the wall, into their territory, but again, I had no time :-(

I will keep you posted.
The Buddha Boy!

Anonymous said...

Congrats in advance GP!

Please look at the above line I've written. I know you've seen it before from other wellwishers and maybe some naysayers as well. All that matters is that you eventually get where you need to go. Sorry, to hear about the accident and hope all is well. You really don't need any more advice and over the years have selflessly handed out far more and given more to so many you will never know. That to me is success, and I'm sure that people like you and the above poster will eventually get through this. In fact I just got a feelin'...

but enough of that, you don't need it

Take care big man and best of success in the future, even when you don't have to do this anymore
:)

Anonymous said...

Hi all. I just took the bar for the july exam. I dont think I did to well. Im retaking it again. My question is has anyone heard about attack sheets? I studied with barbri last time and I am not doing it again. I wanna trying something new. I've heard really good reviews about attack sheets. I hear they are great outlines for the bar, (of course I'm still making my own outlines in addition to them). Has anyone downloaded a copy of them? If so, what did you think? Here is the website if you dont know what im talking about.
attacksheets.com

Anonymous said...

Hey guys and gals!
I had a quick question...

Does the Admissions Status page come "unavailable" after you put in your log in information for all bar-takers or select few?

You all are smart enough to figure out the inference I am trying to draw from this, sorry, just can't help!

Anonymous said...

my status is also unavailable.

anybody else?????

Unknown said...

GP,

As a 1L, I am that someone who is serious of not only passing the bar, but the baby bar too. I have much interest in what you have to say because you provide so much insight that enables me to know exactly what I'm going up against.

Thank You for this blog and everything you have said and will say on this blog in the future!

I'm sure you heard this b4 but I'll say it in closing, god bless and don't give up!

Anonymous said...

GP,

We're all feeling the same way as you. Frustrated, embarrassed, angry...this has been an extremely difficult process, and it's been nice having this anonymous forum in which to share it. Thank you for that.

As for the person asking if everyone's Admissions Status page showed up as unavailable, mine shows up that way too. Have you found anyone whose page doesn't show up as unavailable? I can't imagine they've accidentally made it that easy to glean any insight. It'd be nice if they had though... :-)

Hang in there everyone.

Anonymous said...

"My goal this time is to have my outlines, and hence the rules, at least 75% memorized again so I can focus on the structure of my answer without the distraction of bouncing back and forth between it and the outline."

GP, If you end up having to study for it (I hope not), it is best you just focus on your writing structure and laying out the law....even if you forgot the law. That's what the outlines are for. For the last 10 days, study the law, subject by subject, over and over, re-reviewing so its tatooed (at least temporarily) in your brain until you are sick of it. It will come to you. You just have to feel comfortable writing. Take it fom me, it worked. Try www.calweasel.org.

Anonymous said...

we create our own failures

best wishes to the lot of you

The Grand Poobah said...

Yes, and we also create our own successes.

Anonymous said...

good luck eveyone!!

Anonymous said...

DYNOMIIITE!

Anonymous said...

I'm gettin' scared now...

Thanks for letting us have a forum here, and best wishes of course to you and me!

The Grand Poobah said...

Thanks, everyone, and you're welcome!

Regarding the Admission Status page on the State Bar website, how is it significant? I wasn't aware that there was any use for that except registering with the State Bar so it can keep track of our progress relative to registering for the exam and for tracking our compliance with the prerequisites (moral character, etc.)

Does anyone know otherwise? It's a mystery to me.

Anonymous said...

http://members.calbar.ca.gov/exam/

Anonymous said...

My status is unavailable too..leave it to the ones waiting to find that little "glitch" in the system!

Anonymous said...

I checked the admissions status this morning, and now my info is all there including "requirement not complete" under CA Bar Exam.
Anyone else?

Change of Venue said...

GP -

Wishing you, me and all California July 2010 bar exam takers the best. I admire your dogged tenancity and am grateful for your learned advice.

Anonymous said...

so its normal to be awake almost all night .... :-) this is indeed mind-boggling experience. Good luck everyone..... We all shall make it this time, with the highest pass percentage for July bar ever :-)

Anonymous said...

of course less than 2 in 3 of us, maybe only 1 in 2, will make it,
so here's hopin' you're 1, not 2, or I mean me,
ah forget it- whatever

Anonymous said...

Big day for you CA folks. Best of luck to all of you.

Anonymous said...

GP-

IT'S ON TODAY! LET'S GO!!

Anonymous said...

From a psychological point of view, your chances of passing the exam on the:

7th attempt: 1:100
10 attempt: 1:1,000
14th attempt: 1:10,000

The psychological state of mind, is the key factor, yet everyone just keeps working on their mechanics, each an every time.

You are all wished the best come 6:00p.m..

Anonymous said...

Psychobabble bull,
either you know the law or you don't
none here know why one passes over the other, but your stats are wack!

Anonymous said...

Tonight the pass/fail information for the California Bar Exam will be presented by the Soup Nazi from the old Seinfeld show. When you log on to the Bar Exam results site you will see one of the following statements: SOUP FOR YOU or NO SOUP FOR YOU. Good luck to all.

Anonymous said...

are we havin' fun yet...
are we drunk yet

Anonymous said...

How about Shari Karney's Barwinners? I am gonna use it. Can you share your experience?

Anonymous said...

Is barbri Bible?

Anonymous said...

Meaning if you choose another book, it is dangerous?

Anonymous said...

just want 2 wish u good luck man! I'm waiting for my results 2 this is my 3rd time. I feel either way is fine! its not the end of the world. Keep your chin up u r a successful man who has qualities that others don't even dream of having your persistence, endurance and courage is applaudable.

best of luck 2 u!

Anonymous said...

Good luck GP - been following you since the beginning.

The Grand Poobah said...

Anon 4:06: My personal opinion, stay far, far away from the "Bar Winners" program.

Everyone else, hang in there, whatever happens, it's not the end of the world. Especially if you pass and have a hard time finding a job, you can always go solo. There are quite a few programs in place to help sole practitioners keep their head above water. The LACBA, for one, has a great listserve for solo and small-firm lawyers. And the ABA has the Solosez listserve which, I believe, is free.

And if you don't pass, you won't have to worry about pesky problems like malpractice insurance, or Bar Association dues. (;-)>

Anonymous said...

My ABA dues are only $30 ($35?) cause I'm a student and stay that price till I pass.

I wish you good luck :)

Anonymous said...

Hi GP, rooting for you and all to pass! I know what it is like around this time - I have been there. In less than half an hour, some will rejoice and some will be sad!

To those who pass! Congratulations and you have just exchanged one headache for another - the headache of embarking onto law practice - sometimes I think life is much simpler just studying for the Bar!

To those who do not pass - do not give up! It is doable and passable! If you have tried several times to pass before, this is the time to re-think your approach to taking the exam - you know your material inside out by now - change your mindset towards the exam and you'll be closer to the passing mark!

Start learning to think like a lawyer and provide solutions to the bar questions! Do not get hung up on remembering precise rules and outlines - they want to see the lawyer in you come through in the way you answer the questions.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I am anon 4:06. Can you give me the reason why I have to stay far away from Barwinners? If it is uncomfortable here to say, please let me know at yc0173@aol.com.

Anonymous said...

Then, how about Vivian Dempsey or Morel? Have you used focus advantage?

Anonymous said...

Or Personal Bar Prep Review (Jay)?

Anonymous said...

How about Steve Zikman?

Anonymous said...

Shari Karney is the sweetest! I took her my 4th time. $10K later, I had my LOWESTscore! Her "hypnotherapist" is a freaking dog trainer... Dog whisperer wannabe!

She told me only my study partner and me didn't pass. I saw 1/2 the class taking the next bar!!! 90% something pass??!!?? BS!