So you're studying for the bar exam.
You may find yourself surrounded by friends and family who aren't familiar with the exam itself.
The next several months can be arduous for those sitting for the bar exam. It's important not only that you're mentally prepared, but that those around you are prepared for what you'll be going through.
This is particularly true now, in the age of social distancing and sheltering in place, when one is more likely to be around their family.
The bar exam is more than a test.
Friends and family members who have no legal background may not understand that the bar exam isn't just a test. It's probably the biggest exam of your life, and it will occupy most of your waking hours until you take it.
You can try to explain that to family and friends. But they won't fully understand until you're in the depths of it, and they may never really get it.
Talk about the bar exam with your friends and family.
If your friends, family, and/or significant other aren't familiar with the bar exam, make sure to talk with them about it -- not just the exam itself, but also the studying process leading up to it.
It's important that they know what to expect, especially in terms of the long study hours, limited free time, and reduced availability that you'll surely experience.
You can even show them a movie - the 2007 documentary, "A Lawyer Walks Into a Bar," follows several individuals through the process of studying for the California bar exam. It's old, but it captures the anxiety that comes with bar prep.
Overall, make sure your friends and family understand what you're going through so they can be supportive and to avoid creating strained relationships that distract you from the task at hand.
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