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the one study trick you're not doing

The one study trick that will make a drastic impact on your bar prep that you're not already doing is this:

UNPLUG.

Do whatever you need to to get rid of your phone, smart devices, and wi-fi.

You may be thinking to yourself that you would die if you couldn't have Facebook, Instagram, the internet, or texting to get you through the day. Or, you may be thinking that this is useless advice and really won't help your bar prep. That's what I used to think, too. Guess what?

We're both wrong.

I found out how wrong I was when I studied for the bar exam and had a shitty old computer that couldn't connect to the internet. It's a long story. Anyway, I was incredibly irritated at first. I went through technology withdrawals. I was squirmy when studying and wanted to be on the internet! I also to read bar exam blogs, scroll Facebook, check my email, and just maintain that never-ceasing connection to the rest of the world that I'd become so accustomed to.

It wasn't until the ability to do so was stripped away that I became aware of just how much time and energy I was spending on these time wasters.

Of course there was also my smartphone, which DID have internet and email, plus apps and texts - which was even worse! I realized that if I was that bothered by not having internet on my computer, then being "plugged in" was a major problem and detractor to my studying success. Therefore, I swore off my iPhone as well. I used it to time myself when doing MBEs, but that was just about it. It was really hard at first, but I notice massive gains in my study time.

Not only did I get MORE study time because I wasn't using technology to procrastinate, but the quality of my study time was greatly improved, as well. I quickly discovered that all those 'harmless' little email checks had been doing a number on my concentration. Let's say you check your email/texts/fb/twitter/younameit every 10 minutes.
You have only built up 10 minutes worth of mental stamina.
For the bar exam, you need 3 hours minimum.

In our society today, giving your undivided attention to something for any length of time is almost unheard of. You may think I'm exaggerating here, but think about it. When was the last time you sat down to read for 3 hours without getting up to go to the bathroom, talking to your roommate, getting something to eat or drink, answering the phone, etc. Now think about doing 3 hours worth of bar prep uninterrupted - that is not only a good deal of time, but it requires a very high level of concentration for the entire time.

In closing, let me give one more example to drive the point home. Remember all the way back to when you were in law school? Unless you sat in the first row in every class you took, what was your view of the class - i.e., what did you see on everyone's computer screen? Ah ha! You know exactly what I'm talking about. NOBODY was giving their undivided attention to the professor. And don't forget about all those iPhones being strategically held right under the table tops.

Believe me when I tell you that if you can force yourself to leave your smartphone in the car, and your internet browser closed during study hours, you will truly get a lot more accomplished. I think it is completely reasonable to think that you could save yourself an entire hour each day. So although I love that you're checking out my website, I don't want it to be during study hours!

(But when you're done studying... I have lots of great stuff to share on social! :)


  • Hello
  • CT
  • FTB
  • TLL