Spoke Too Soon

My last post spoke about starting to feel a sense of confidence in taking the bar exam- not that I necessarily would pass, but that I had a chance to. My bar review course had us take a simulated 6 hour MBE test the other day. Because my score was much lower than the few prior tests, I'm back to feeling insecure.

The whole process of preparing for the bar is very reminiscent to the first year of law school: the constant wondering if you are going to make it or not, the emotions ranging from confidence to depression, and no one else in your life understanding what you are going through (and annoying the hell out of you by making it obvious that they don't, and don't really want to understand).

I'm not trying to be bitchy, but how many times do I have to tell my family that all I'm doing between now and the bar exam is studying (and a little sleeping)? Seriously, I think they all think I'm just taking a few months off to sleep in and goof around. Why else would my mom call me at 8:30am on a Saturday and ask me if she had woken me up? (To start with, I don't answer the phone when I'm asleep, which I have told her MANY times. It seems like she has a secret desire to catch me being lazy or something.) And then, I mean, really, does she have to act surprised when I tell her that no, I'm studying and will be all day? She appears to think I should be able to study a few hours here and there and pass it no problem.

This all feels like a big game, again, kind of like first year- like, let's see how many people we can get to leave just by scaring them out or wearing them out. I know most of the exam is showing how much you know and understand the law, but another big part of it is just not freaking out. Yeah, I know I have my moments, but I'm not letting them win by default. So, I shall keep working away (despite the fact that very few people seem to realize how much work is really involved in this process!).

Munching Through the Meadow

Three weeks left of bar review classes and what we have learned, as expressed to us this week, is that we are to be "sheep, munching our way through the meadow, into the corral", trying to do nothing in our bar exam to awake the exam grader from his stupor. In other words, give them what they want, in the format they want it, and don't try to be creative or clever, as there is no way to grade creativity.

I understand that, but at the same time, it seems ridiculous to test potential lawyers on how well they "fit into a box" when the profession requires people to think of solutions outside of the box. Whatever. I suppose the bar exam has as much to do with practicing in the legal profession as the LSAT does with going to law school.

Anyway, the beginning of this week was spent on Performance Exams. If there is any part of the bar exam I think I can actually pass, it would be this. Why? Because the majority of it is just following directions and being organized. I can do that with my eyes closed. (Well, almost.) It's nice to feel like passing isn't so impossible, and the lecturer for this topic was an encouragement.

I also feel good that I scored well on my last 2 sets of MBE questions- 75 and 78%. The whole grading system of the bar exam is very indeterminable, as every year the scores are adjusted by some unknown formula, so it is hard to know what exactly you need to get to pass. However, generally, 70-75 seems to be the golden spot, so if you are getting above that, you should pass.

Of course, our lecturer earlier this week also showed us how you can get failing grades on each essay and then still pass the overall test. Like I said, you can't really figure it out and it doesn't really make much sense.

At least I'm starting to feel somewhat optimistic now. I definitely am not saying that I know I will pass, but at least I don't think that failing is inevitable now. Passing does seem within the realm of possibility.

New Traffic Laws

On July 1, new laws affecting cell phone use will take effect. It will then be illegal to use a handheld cell phone to talk while driving a motor vehicle, and if you are under 18 it will be illegal to use any cell phone. Now, I certainly agree that cell phone use while driving can lead to accidents, but I don't necessarily think it is the holding of a phone that distracts a driver's attention. I think, rather, it is the involvement in a conversation with someone, not present.

So, what is going to happen after this law goes into effect? Honestly, I think the end result may be a slighter lower rate of accidents for people using cell phones, but people are still going to be distracted by conversations, so I don't see how this law will stop that. And, in the immediately future, I predict an increase in accidents, because most people do not currently use a hands-free device, so as soon as the law kicks in, I'm assuming most of them will. Of course, since they aren't used to it, it will take some getting used to.

The cell phone will ring, the driver will scramble to figure out where the earpiece is, how to get it in his ear correctly, and how to answer the phone. Talk about a distraction! How many accidents is all of this going to cause?!?

Apparently, the new laws do not cover text messaging, which has to be even more dangerous and distracting than talking, since you have to look at your phone (and away from the road) to read and write those messages. And the new laws do allow you to dial phone numbers while driving. Seems like too many distractions are still going to be available.

Of course, police officers can pull you over if they see you doing anything they believe to be unsafe. But are these laws really going to do anything to increase traffic safety? I know that was their intent, but I seriously doubt it.

Baby No More

My baby graduated from high school yesterday. I suppose he hasn't really needed me for a while, but I don't appreciate the reminder that I'm a little less necessary in his life now. I'm proud of him, and am anxious to see what things he will do in his life, but I can't help but look back and miss things. There's nothing like having your baby wake up and smile when he sees your face, or having him squeal with excitement when he discovers something new, or listening to him laugh for the first time.

I know there are other things in the future, I suppose equally exciting things, that I will be able to share. But it just isn't the same. It's hard to look forward without glancing back over your shoulder sometimes.

I'm Just Saying...

If your name happens to be "Litigatia", "Demogoga", or "Felonious Punk", you can pretty much count on being a party in an MBE fact pattern.

Bar review sucks. I'm studying until about 10pm every night and feeling more stupid every day because all I seem to learn is how much I don't know. Very discouraging. I suppose it is part of the process of preparing, but at this point, it seems hard to imagine I will know enough to pass in 7 weeks.

My daughter leaves to go back to Boston tomorrow morning. In addition to feeling bad about my bar preparation, I feel bad that I haven't been able to spend time with her. She won't be back until Christmas, so I'm taking this afternoon off to have a little fun with her. Of course, that will only make me feel guilty that I'm not studying. Ugh.