Bar & Law Exam Study Tips

Bar Exam and Law Exam Study Tips

You’ve been prepping for this exam for weeks, if not months. Finding a quiet place to study, you set out your weathered books, your highlighter collection, and your set of diligently constructed flash cards. You’ve prepared study guides, listened to podcasts, watched videos, and psyched yourself up to study. But, when you sit down to begin, your mind starts to wander. We have all been there! So how do you set yourself up for study success?

1. Set the stage by creating your ideal study environment.

Select a place to study that has adequate light and little noise, but most of all make sure it is comfortable for you. Place your cell phone on silent or turn it off. It might also help to place it in a bag or a drawer so it won’t be a distraction.

2. Plan it out.
Create a study time table and schedule that take into account how much material you have to study and how much time you have. When creating your study plan, also keep in mind what times of day work best for you to study. You may be at your best earlier in the morning, or you may prefer to study before bed. Make sure your study schedule coincides with your natural rhythms.

3. Set reasonable goals.
Maybe you’re a fast reader and you can get through two sections a day — or maybe you read more slowly, and can only complete one. Make sure your goals are reasonable so they don’t stress you out.

4. Take breaks.
Take 5-10 minute breaks throughout your study session. Allow yourself to use the restroom, get some water, have a snack, or take a quick walk. Research has shown that people remember best when they study for shorter periods of time, recapping and consolidating what they learned rather than studying for prolonged periods of time.[1]

When you feel your mind wandering, don’t be afraid to take a break and walk away for a moment. Make sure you are giving yourself the space you need to accomplish the task at hand. Don’t worry about how many times you have to take a break. Eventually you will be able to study and stay focused for longer periods of time.

5. Create variety with study methods.
Every study session, or every hour or so, try changing the subject matter. If you don’t allow yourself to become bored, chances are it will be easier for you to stay focused on the material in front of you. Also, try to alternate your reading with learning exercises or question and answer sessions.

6. Actively learn.
Incorporate content into active learning by putting the material into your own words, incorporating new material into what you already know, comparing and contrasting with new and old material, and applying new material to fictional or real life situations.

Brittany Abrams, Assistant Editor
Aplus eBooks Publications

Footnote
1. Open Polytechnic, How to improve your concentration. Openpolytechnic.ac.nz. (last accessed November 8, 2017).

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