pvnyc wrote:Hello, side question. Is anyone working during bar review for Feb exam?
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I’m working during bar prep. It’s definitely doable. But
start planning now, as it’ll minimize extraneous (aka non-exam) stress. It’s proven that
your mindset before the exam determines your performance. Don’t mess that up with what could’ve been prevented.
You need to know your weekly working hours. Exam prep is a “job”, and the pay sucks (but you’ll more than make up for it later). You’ll also need to craft your schedule, BEFORE you start prep. That means realistically accounting for your daily time.
Just to illustrate: with a 24-hour day, a full time job eats away 9-10 hours (accounting for travel time). You need to sleep; another 8 hours. That means you really only have 6-7 hours left to do
everything else (shower, dinner, workout, social time, kids, etc.) that day. With about 30 hrs/week (minimum) necessary for bar prep, your bar prep’s done much more on your off day(s), and/or included @ work.
A part-time work schedule means you have more time to study, but that doesn’t obviate the need to plan. Scheduling’s so important that all bar prep companies include their own for you. Also, if you’re a retaker, you know what to improve on. Make your prepping time efficient.
Another note, work out your finances for the next few months (or thru Feb). If you have kids, please don’t ignore them. Any spouse/sig other must know now how important this is - usually he/she will understand. The last thing you’ll want is to psyche yourself (via worry) to a failing grade.
If you can, tap into your social network. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. Now is a good time (especially with the holidays coming up) to be on good terms with family. Any/all help you can get will be invaluable.
Also, take care of yourself. If you need a “time-out,” go for it. But remember that frequently extending such time = you’ll pay for it on the exam. Procrastination piles up, and it isn’t worth another year (exam, character & fitness, job switch) of your life on hold.
Final note: presume you will pass, then do what’s necessary to get there. Don’t even think about taking this in July 2018. (Save the doubt for when it really matters - when it gets closer to April
) I made a near 30-point jump, just by taking into account the above.
In short: plan, get/accept help, stay sane.
Note: this is for you, pvnyc, as well as all taking the exam. Figured I’d add in what was helpful.
My $.02