Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash
My students retaking the bar exam on February 25 and 26 are heavy on my heart right now. I’m sending you positive energy and positive thoughts. We have been on this journey together since November, and now the moment we’ve prepared for is fast approaching.
Back in November, you saw my message and bravely faced the devastation and emotions that came with not passing the bar exam. We ripped the band-aid off quickly. We discussed the numbers so you would realize you weren’t alone in this experience. You felt devastated and ugly cried like the baby in the picture I showed. But then, we got to work.
We developed a strategy for handling conversations with family, friends, and employers. We practiced how you would navigate the holiday season. We reframed how we approached this process—this was not just about repeating the bar exam but about diagnosing the issues and challenges but also creating a personalized plan. We combed through everything. We evaluated your mindset before and during bar prep. We explored the financial and life challenges you had to manage. We examined your choice of a bar review program, whether it was the right fit and how you could use it efficiently and effectively. We had honest conversations about what worked, what didn’t, and what needed to change. We found additional resources. And after all of that, we made a commitment—to this process and to work together.
I saw you ride the rollercoaster of emotions, battling self-doubt and the fear of failure. We anticipated these struggles, and we faced them head-on. We adjusted schedules, revised strategies, and created new plans when necessary. I challenged you often—not because I doubted you, but because I saw your potential. And I encouraged and supported you when you needed it most.
I see you! I know the work you’ve put in. I know the sacrifices you’ve made to get here. I know that you are capable of passing this exam. I am just as invested in your success as you are. So take a few deep breaths, revisit your strategies, walk in with confidence, do your absolute best—and let’s pass this exam. I expect you to succeed, and you should too.
Now, let’s visualize it. Picture yourself looking up your exam number, realizing you’ve passed—but patiently waiting for the official confirmation in the mail. Imagine taking the oath, being sworn in as an attorney. This is what you get to look forward to.
You didn’t come this far just to come this far.
(Goldie Pritchard)
