Eight Pieces of Advice for Every Future Lawyer Preparing for the Bar Exam

A couple of weeks ago, I led a Business Organizations workshop for students preparing for the bar exam. As I methodically worked through my PowerPoint presentation, something became clear: while the substantive law mattered, many students needed encouragement just as much as they needed a review of Business Organizations.

The weeks leading up to the bar exam are demanding. They test not only your legal knowledge, but also your resilience, discipline, and belief in yourself. Here are the eight pieces of advice I shared with my students. I hope they encourage you during these final weeks of preparation.

1. Discipline matters more than raw intellect.

The bar exam is not simply a test of intelligence. It is a test of consistency, endurance, and discipline. Success comes from practicing as many questions as possible, reviewing your mistakes, and mastering an enormous amount of information in a remarkably short period of time. Talent helps. Discipline is what carries you across the finish line.

2. Remember your why.

Your purpose is one of your greatest sources of strength. When I studied for the bar exam, my son was four years old. As a single parent who had experienced foster care and chronic poverty, I had very limited resources. I went to law school because I wanted to create a different future for my family. Every hour I spent studying was an investment in that future.

What is your why? Perhaps you've always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Perhaps you want to pursue justice, advocate for others, build a successful practice, or reshape the law itself.

Whatever brought you here, don't lose sight of it. Your purpose will sustain you on the days when your motivation begins to fade.

3. Make room for moments of joy.

Studying for the bar can feel all-consuming, but your life should not consist entirely of outlines and practice questions.

Joy doesn't have to be extravagant. Listen to your favorite music while getting ready in the morning. Take a fifteen-minute walk through a beautiful park. Wander through your favorite neighborhood or admire the architecture of your city.

When I was studying, I sometimes did practice problems in Bloomingdale's simply because I loved the building. It was spacious, peaceful during the summer, and gave me a sense of calm. Those small moments of beauty made the journey much more manageable.

4. Protect your time and your peace.

Preparing for the bar requires sacrifice, and not everyone will understand that.

Some people may question your priorities or make you feel guilty for dedicating so much time to your studies. Don't let that distract you from your goal. The people who genuinely care about you will understand that this season is temporary and will support you through it.

Setting healthy boundaries is not selfish. It's necessary.

5. Repeatedly give yourself grace.

Some days will be productive. Others won't. You may miss questions you thought you knew. You may feel exhausted, discouraged, or overwhelmed. That's normal. One difficult day does not define your preparation. Every morning and every hour is an opportunity to begin again. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a close friend.

6. Give yourself something to celebrate.

Having something to anticipate after the exam can provide powerful motivation. Many graduates celebrate with a vacation, and if that's within your reach, enjoy it. When I finished the bar exam, I couldn't afford a trip, so I turned Chicago into my own personal playground.

My son and I indulged in splendor of Millennium Park, took long walks along the lake near Navy Pier, and explored free events throughout the city. Those simple experiences became some of my favorite memories. They were restorative, joyful, and exactly what we needed after months of hard work.

Whatever your reward looks like, make sure you have something waiting for you on the other side.

7. Keep the bar exam in perspective.

Right now, the bar exam probably feels like the biggest challenge you've ever faced. But one day, it will be a very small chapter in a much larger story.

Your legal career will be measured in decades. The countless hours you're spending studying today are temporary. Soon you'll be building a career, serving clients, advocating for justice, mentoring others, and creating memories that matter far more than this exam. Keep your eyes on the long game.

8. Don't fear failure.

Failure is not the worst thing that can happen to you.

If you don't pass, you can take the exam again. Many exceptional lawyers have done exactly that before going on to remarkable careers. Failure is often part of growth. It teaches resilience, humility, and perseverance. When you stop allowing the fear of failure to control you, you create space to improve and ultimately succeed.

The bar exam is important, but it does not define your worth, your intelligence, or your future.

Keep showing up. Keep practicing. Keep believing in yourself. You're much closer than you think.

Professor Cary Martin Shelby writes about law, leadership, race, capitalism, and professional development. Through DACASIOM, she seeks to equip the next generation of lawyers and changemakers with ideas that inspire both intellectual excellence and meaningful social impact.