The Bar Exam Is Crazy

OFF TRACK - Ugh!

2007-12-24T09:32:00.000-08:00

I have fallen and I am not sure that I want help getting up. This has been a very difficult time to study. I have had tons of work to do at work, Christmas shopping, family difficulties and a horrible cold to boot. This is crazy. I keep trying to figure out how I am going to be able to study without falling asleep. I have decided to try again starting 12/26 because anything before then will not be retained. Stay tuned. . .

On-track for Now.

2007-12-17T17:19:00.000-08:00

Success!!! I am happy to report that I was able to review Con-Law for 2 days, complete 25 MBE questions and review at least 20 pages of the Adachi book. I was also able to start Torts. I must admit that I did falter just a bit because I was supposed to be done with 50 mbe's for Conlaw and just got to tired to even focus. Oh well, i will not beat myself for this I will just continue to push forward.

I am so happy because I was able to score 72% on my first set of MBE's after not looking at the stuff for 5-6 months. I know that this is not a huge accomplishment but it helps me to think that I have a chance. Torts is my next challenge, so I need to finish dinner and get started.

CHARGE!!!

Study Calendar Anyone??

2007-12-15T15:03:00.000-08:00

I have really been reluctant to make my study calendar. I have tried to just poke and stab at studying for the past few weeks. However, this morning I knew that I would need to create a study plan in order to get into the correct study mode. I think that subconsciously I knew that a calender would make the Bar a lot more real than I wanted it to be right now. But I have decided to make the darn calendar and attempt to stick to it.

As directed by most people and the commercial bar prep courses, I will start with the MBE subjects first and work my way to the California subjects. I have decided that I will only do about 25 MBEs per day during the first week or two because I always get burned out if I do too many at one. I have also decided to try to write at least one essay every 2 days for the first month and then gage my progress to see if I need to do more. Last but not least, I will start working on the performance exams by mid January.

I know that this sounds like a hefty load but I think that it will be okay. If it isn't I will just fine tune it until I know that it is working for me. SO, now I am off to study Con law and we will see what the day brings. I have tried to study to Christmas Music but I don't think that this will work because it makes me want to participate in Christmas festivities.

Still Not Motivated

2007-12-11T21:31:00.001-08:00

You would think that 4 previous unsuccessful bar attempts would be motivation enough... but it isn't. This is crazy. I have tried studying business associations at 5:30 am and I have tried to study it at night and I just can't seem to get into it. So, maybe I should try another subject. My first essay is due on 12/26 so I need to get my behind in gear. I heard someone say something the other day about only committing your safe one day at a time. I think that I will try to apply this to bar study. So, tonight I am committed to reviewing Constitutional Law and I will do that.

Inviting the Bar Monster??

2007-11-29T12:43:00.000-08:00

I was supposed to begin my CA bar study routine this past Monday. SURPRISE... I did not start. I have just started this wonderful new job that is within walking distance from my home and I am loving it. I am so glad that I don't have to drive 1,000 miles to get to work but I am wondering if that is a good thing. I am so used to living a super crazy schedule that I tend to slack off when I have more than 5 minutes to spare. I can't seem to find the focus or drive to start my study session.

Hence, the invitation to the "Bar Monster." If the "Bar Monster" comes then I will be mean but I will be motivated. SO I think that in order to jump start this wonderful bar study party off right, I will need to become the dreaded "Bar Monster." WARNING WARNING, this transformation may produce some pretty crabby and whiny blogs.

Until next time... Happy Studying

What A Ride!!

2007-11-20T23:27:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm baaaack and I have good news... I PASSED THE NJ AND NY BAR EXAMS. I am so excited. I can't believe that it has been almost 5 months since my last entry, so much has happened. My bar studies seemed to get much worse before they got better. So, I decided to rebel against the bar and my blog. I know, I know this makes absolutely no sense, but at the time the Bar Monster told me that it was a good idea.

Every thing that could go wrong during the NY and NJ bar exams did. First, my 30 minute layover in Las Vegas turned into a 3 hour wait on the way to PA. Next, we got lost on our way to NY (Long Island for the exam) and instead of it taking 3-4 hours to get from PA to NY it took 6-8 hours. Then there was a tech support issue in NY which delayed the bar exam by 2+ hours. Just when I thought that it would get better the lights flickered off and on during the MBE. Being ever so happy to get to NJ, I arrived to a gross hotel room at a hotel with no other vacancies. And the topping on the cake was a 3 hour wait to start the NJ bar while awaiting the arrival of the 3 technicians that were used in NY two days before. You probably think that this was the end but it wasn't. The perfect end to my east coast trip came when I was delayed 3-4 hours in NJ airport (after we found it) on my way home.

However, by the grace of GOD, I PASSED. Some say that all of the distractions kept me from stressing out about the actual exam. I don't know, but what I do know is that I had a lot of love, support, prayers and encouragement. For example, my sister and one of my friends took me to see the Color Purple the Sunday before the exam. They also "inadvertently" interrupted my studying by luring me away from the books with mac and cheese and late night movies. They also made sure that I had plenty of food, stress free driving and plenty of breaks. This is different than what I have done for the CA bar in that, I did not study up until the very last second.

So now, I have decided to take another stab at the CA bar exam and I hope to be able to share the experience through this blog. I really believe that passing the other two exams will help me to regain the confidence that I once had before the CA BAR MONSTER. Please stay tuned, if nothing else you will be entertained by this wonderful process.

Committed to Success

2007-06-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning and renewed my commitment to passing the NJ and NY bar exams today. I asked my husband to help me to review HS and Non-HS rules for evidence and I was able to kill two birds with one stone. First I was able to harass my husband and second I was able to review the area of evidence that is kicking my butt on the MBE. I also received news that I will be able to use my laptop for the NJ bar exam, so I won the lottery. I am hoping to hear good news from NY soon.
Overall, as of 10 am I was committed to making sure that this was a productive study day. However, similar to other times that I have made this commitment, distractions are ever present. Soon after my 10 o'clock proclamation, I received a call from my 17 year old stating that he is sick and should be picked up immediately because they aren't really doing anything and he needs to complete his project. As distracting as this is, I am not going to allow it to throw me off track, I will give him some aspirin and study while I supervise the project. We shall see if this plan will work for me.

Need to Regain My Focus...

2007-06-11T22:08:00.001-07:00

Even though I have a really good schedule, I had a really hard time following it today. One of my really good friends thinks that I should re-think the schedule and adjust some things, but I am not sure if that will help. I think that it is less about the schedule and more about my motivation. Some times I feel like I am stuck in the same never ending cycle, kind of like the movie Ground Hog Day. Much like Bill Murray's character in the movie, I feel if I can just figure out what I am supposed to do, the bar exam day will end.
I received the feedback from the tutor for my RP essay today and even though the evaluation was helpful it was still painful. It looks like I really need to work on my issue spotting and time management skills. Let me clarify, the problem isn't with spotting issues it is with spotting the right issues. I guess it wasn't a good idea to spend 30 minutes writing all about easements (express and prescriptive), 10 minutes about licenses coupled with interest, and 5 minutes writing about Adverse Possession when the main issue was ADVERSE POSSESSION. The tutor says that my rule statements and analysis were good but it would have helped me to get a better score if I had spent more time writing about the correct issue.

The Bar Monster Has Awakened

2007-06-11T09:52:00.000-07:00

I should have known that I was in trouble when I arrived to a virus infested home computer last night. I did not go to sleep until about 2 am because after dealing with the computer for 3 hours, I could not sleep. Now this morning I am having an argument with my husband that really doesn't make sense. However because the Bar Monster tells me that I am right I can't back down. I don't even really remember what we were arguing about but I think that it had something to do with me having the last word (or the Bar Monster having the last word). I feel like I am fighting a losing battle when it comes to the MBE's and I think that it is making me cranky. I am open to any and all suggestions and I am sure that those close to me will be very grateful for anything that will put the Bar Monster back to sleep.

Unsupervised Children

2007-06-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

Maybe it is just because I am a mom, but I am extremely bothered by unsupervised unruly children. The place that I am studying at today has free water and about 15 minutes ago 3 pre-teens walked in to partake in the free water. They looked like they were drenched in sweat from riding their bikes and I did not blame them for wanting to take a break from the sweltering heat outside. At first I could barely hear them because I have ear plugs in, but then they sat down next to me and tallest one began speaking very loudly. It wasn't the volume of his voice that bothered me but the topic of his conversation that was a little scary. The fact that they were discussing dead animal carcases wasn't even that disturbing it was what they wanted to do and have done.
The tallest boy began giving the two younger boys a very graphic description of a pig dissection that took place in his Science class at school. Without getting into the Gorey details, I must say that the things that he claims were done and the things that he wants to do to other dead animals made me very glad that I don't live out here with him. Okay, that probably sounds very judgmental, but the more I grimaced the louder and more graphic his discussion became. My first thought was to ask him to lower the volume but then I thought that I would have to introduce him to the Bar Monster which wouldn't be good, so I decided to stay quiet. They left after all of the water was gone and I was very happy to see them leave.
How does this tie into Evidence? Well just as the disgusting conversation started, I was working on character evidence (specific acts, reputation and opinion evidence) and I was substituting tall pre-teen as the defendant for all of my hypos. I know that this sounds bad but I just couldn't help myself. I have learned that I must not allow myself to become distracted even if it means incorporating the things and events around me into my bar study.

Crack of Dawn Anyone?

2007-06-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

This morning my mom and I woke up and left at 4:45 am to come to La Quinta, CA for a class that my mom is taking. When she told me about it I had never heard of La Quinta so I looked it up and it is in the middle of the desert between Palm Springs and Indio which is about 200 miles from home. It was 85 degrees by 8:30 am the class lasts until 4 pm so I had to find a nice air conditioned building to study. One thing that I have noticed here is that there are a lot of sun worshippers out here. I don't know how they do it because it is way too hot. If I lived here, I would do exactly what I am doing this morning, sit underneath the air conditioning vent.

The nice thing about this trip is that I get to harass my mom for a while and I have to study because while she is in class I don't have anyone to bother. Evidence is fun but the NY distinctions will take some getting used to. NJ is pretty straight forward and pretty much sticks to the multi-state subjects but I know that this is going to change when I start with Civil Procedure. Today I need to review the rules of Evidence, work on MBE questions and write an essay. I really hope that I can get it done, but if I can't I hope to have a new plan worked out which allow me to meet all of my study goals.

Study Break

2007-06-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

I took a very long study break today because I became so distracted by the MBE scores that I was unable to concentrate. I know that I did not deserve the break and especially did not deserve all of the really good food that I ate, but I needed it. I think that the Bar Monster will allow me to be a little nicer to the people around me for a few days. Evidence is my next subject and I don't hate it as much as I hate the other subjects. I am going to drive for about 6 hours tomorrow and study for at least 5, so I know that my entry for tomorrow will probably be whiny. Therefore, I am apologizing right now before it happens.
I am using the Bar Passers MBE book and I think that I may switch to PMBR or Barbri for a few days to see if there is a difference. I doubt it because I have tried them all but I am going to try to have an open mind and try again. I really miss TV at this point but the nice thing about this time of year is that all of the shows that I like are running repeats. The new shows won't start again until September. Now I feel really pitful because I have found a way to schedule my television programs around the bar exam. Well, I guess that is what taking the CA bar 4 times will do to you.

Maybe I Should've Left the MBE's Alone

2007-06-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

Yikes. I am really starting to worry about my K and Property MBE scores. It's funny, I always get a pretty good score on the MBE portion of the bar for both of these subjects but I can't seem to get above a 50% while I am studying this time around. First, I take a 40 question exam, then I review the answers for problems that I have missed, and then I review the applicable law for the questions that I have missed. However, when I take another exam, I wind up with the same result.
I was able to complete a RP essay and send it off to my tutor. I am really happy about that because I was afraid that I didn't know enough law to get it done. However, while I was trying to talk myself into it I thought about the book "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson, MD. In the "Getting Beyond Fear" chapter, the character is afraid to do something and he is asked to think about how he would handle the situation if he wasn't afraid and then do it as if he wasn't afraid. This may sound a little cheesy (no pun intended) but it often helps me to handle things in this manner and it helped me to complete the essay and submit it. It doesn't mean that I knocked it out of the park, it just means that I as long as I continue to try I CAN'T FAIL!

Foiled by the MBE's Again

2007-06-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

Behind on the MBE's again... I have to do something. Maybe I should start working on them earlier in the day because I am way to tired to do them at night. I think that I will take the book to bed with me and try and work on them if I can't sleep (instant sleep aide). I am really hoping that I can find my way out of this MBE slump.
I found something while studying the NY differences that I thought was a little interesting. While I was reviewing R.A.P. (running around poles) also known as Rule Against Perpetuities, I noticed that NY has a RAP Reform rule. Oooh, how interesting, NOT!!! As a I was grumbling through the rule I thought it was funny to see that this rule states that women over 55 years old CANNOT have a child. HUH?? I guess this is NY's version of the "fertile octogenarian" rule. But what about Aleta St. James (http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/11/09/mom.56/index.html) who gave birth to twins in NY just 3 days before her 57th birthday. I know that there are other stories similar to this one but in the words of Arsenio Hall, it is one of those things that make you go "hmmmm."

Be Careful What You Wish For!

2007-06-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

Today I woke up with a migraine and I think that I may have asked for it. I remember lying awake asking why I have to study for the bar again. I also remember wishing for a way out of it. Well, I didn't mean Migraine, ouch! Yesterday I was wondering where my critiqued essay was and BAM it was here this morning and NY is different than CA, surprise. Not only does CA think that my writing sucks but I now have found out that my CA writing style does not work for NY either. My tutor says that contrary to CA "NY requires an issue statement at the beginning of each issue..." Huh? First of all I thought that CA did too and second , I thought that is what I was doing. But my perception of the process is probably what has kept me from passing the CA bar in four attempts.
Don't get me wrong, beneath the crying and ranting I have a great appreciation for the help that I am receiving from the tutor. I really need help with my writing and based on his critique of my essay, I think that he is going to be able to help me. As part of his tutoring package, he sent me an extensive critique of my essay, 2 sample answers and an evaluation of my approach and writing style. He is helping me with both NY and NJ and I found him on e-bay, he is great. So please remember that he is great as you are reading my complaints about bar preparation because it is not the tutor that I have an issue with it is the BAR prep process. Well, I am off to tackle my last day of property. Until later please remember that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS US!!!

The More I Study Property the Less I know?

2007-06-08T00:16:00.000-07:00

My property MBE score just went from a 59% to a 45%. Is that even possible? I think that I am going to sleep now because staying up would be very non-productive at this point. This is crazy.

2007-06-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, what part of "I am studying" doesn't my 17 year old understand. He thinks that "I am studying" means that I can only give 3 of his football friends a ride home instead of 8. He also thinks that it means that I can go and buy a watermelon, football gloves and do his English extra credit assignment and still have dinner ready. I really love my son and I guess that it is my fault that he thinks that I am super mom. I just need for him to understand the cape gets shorter while I am studying for the bar exam. I was able to finish my MBE questions from yesterday, now I need to get caught up the MBE's that I have scheduled for today.

I was able to get through a few hours of Property today, yea me. I wrote a k essay yesterday and I am still waiting to hear from my tutor, I really hope that no news is good news in this case, but we shall see. I am trying to write at least 1 essay per day in hopes that it will remove some of the anxiety that I have about writing exams. Speaking of writing, I just found out that I did not win the first round of the "lottery" to use my laptop in NY. Yes, I said lottery. Yikes, my tendinitis and illegible writing will need to get better before July or I am in big trouble.

I have started taking 12 minute study breaks for every hour that I study. I guess it is only a study break though because I use that time to start a new load of laundry (so that my family can think that the laundry fairy has come) or wash more dishes. Yes, I would rather do all of these things than study. Okay well back to property.

2007-06-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

It is 9:54 am and I am having trouble getting started with my study day. I am trying to limit my study time to 8 hours for 6 days per week and then only 4-5 hours on Sunday. Yesterday, I was only able to study for about 6 hours off and on then I was only able to get through 30 of the 60 MBE questions that I had planned to complete. I really want to pass the two bar exams in July andI just need to keep telling myself that there is nothing more important than studying. Oh well, I am going to eat my breakfast and say a pray then I am off to study Real Property for the 5th time, except this time there is a NY twist. Until later. . . Have a great day and for those of you that are being tortured by ANY bar exam, please know that WE CAN DO THIS!!!

What's Up??!!

2007-06-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

Well, here I go again. Last week I found out that I failed the CA bar exam for the 4th time. I guess I should tell you why I am starting this blog before I start complaining. I am hoping that this will be a place that I can vent, get help and help someone else. I am currently studying for the July NY and NJ bar exams and I hope that I will have better news when the results come out for these two exams. I am tired right now so I guess I should rest before I start on my 40 RP MBE questions UGH!! You would think that I would be able to recite this stuff in my sleep by now but each time its like I am learning for the first time again. I will write again tomorrow or later tonight if I can't sleep.