Last 2 Weeks of Study

I have tackled a task list for the major things that I need to still get to before the next last stage of study.  Like many, I feel quite overwhelmed with study right now. I have not been spared. Life goes on with or without the bar exam. Washer did break - my unemployed husband is attempting to fix it and he'll probably do it too. Otherwise, we would need to buy a new one and that would cost more money than we have therefore he is attempting to fix it.  I digress - clean clothes is important and I really don't want to spend time at the laundry mat right now.  Studying is happening - focus is better. When I focus on some narrowed task rather worrying about all I have yet to do I am much less stressed and productive. So I recommend this as an FYI. Focus on what is in front of you - not on all that you have yet to do. Make it count.

Three parts to this exam and I am struggling to study in all 3 parts but I am accomplishing quite a bit. My new i-touch and new app BarMax do help. (I will be very sad if I have to return it because I love it so much.)  I love the I-touch and highly recommend getting one if you have a fair amount of driving to do or wait in lines. The BarMax app is great - especially the MBE part. Some small issues with the lectures but the support dept is great and very responsive. They care about their product. The itouch is wonderful too because I was able to copy over the lectures I wanted to either relisten to or finish--all while I am driving and of course on the 5+ hour drive down to the bay area shortly. I never thought I would be so excited about a piece of technology besides my laptop but then came the Ipod Touch, its arrival at a very useful time, and it won me over.

If you are so inclined - mention me in your prayers (and of course the other repeaters too). God is good! I am not so bold as to ask God if I could pass this time - he will allow that when he feels I am ready, but I will ask that he comfort me and give me peace so I am not stressed out these next 2 weeks and during the exam.

I thought starting my study regime early would help and it certainly did but it didn't help as much as I thought it would. But that head start was a good thing.

Pearce's Microview

Feel free to purchase any Pass the Bar seminar videos here. It'll help keep me out of the poor house (LOL) and keep the site running too.  Scott Pearce's videos are high quality--even the free ones he gives away.  PassTheBar.com  You should review his free content prior to buying. I purchased another month's subscription to full access. I recommend this avenue if you only need it for a short time. If you are longer time - you can purchase what videos you want or contact Scott for information on 6 months access or perhaps a break on getting a full downlaod set for yourself.  I used the videos for a while and then I have to withdraw from the bar exam.  I liked it then and still like the videos now.  He provides lots of essays in each subject and reviews them including the outline for essay and a sample answer. His answers are practical and simple. His videos are informative and full of tips.

As well, he is quite available via email to help you if you have any questions about his materials. He has been gracious and very personable. Any money spent with him is well spent.

BarMax - the bar review app for your IPOD

Since I will have to delay providing a long evaluation of BarMax due to time constraints as I am supposed to be studying, I'll provide a shorter comment.  I love the i-touch--it is an amazing device. I have never had an ipod but this is the ultimate ipod.  It is a great way to study even aside from the BarMax app. There are other free and low cost apps for the itouch and iphone.  Aside from my love now for my new device, I'll comment on the much tauted BarMax.

The MBE portion of the program is quite attractive--the program is all touch screen. The size of the text can be increased so it is relatively easy on the eyes making reading quite manageable to do your MBEs on the itouch.  What is nice on this part of the app is you can mark off the answers like we are supposed to enabling you to determine the answer by elimination. Kudos for that. In eyes, that feature is BIG.

The substantive lectures are interesting. The essay workshops are short and to the point - they are not comprehensive.  Overall, it is probably worth while to get it--and you get a i-touch included and I assume you will love it.

I am sold on the device and the mode of study (great for listening in the car and using the app on breaks). It is a great base for self-study.There are Word docs that are sent with the welcome packet so you have practice essays. And, you get the great i-touch. If interested, you can get more information on the http://www.getbarapp.com/  If you have any questions at about the app, you can contact Mike at info@barmaxapp.com. 

App Shopper: BarMax CA (Education)

App Shopper: BarMax CA (Education)

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Here is the website to read up on this new bar review on IPOD and Iphone. It just came out. I am hoping to get a peak of the program soon as free trials are available. BarMax CA. 

6.5-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northern California - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

6.5-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northern California - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

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51 days and 14 hours left - Motivation

Yes - it is a scary thought that there are only 51 days and 14 hours left.  Fear has not completely left but if I work through it -- perhaps I'll forget that bar has scared the crap out of me.

Passing the Bar Exam - Less Talk and More Action

Well here is to a Happy New Year and a Happy New Decade! This new year will bring lots of changes for my household. The one I want most if that new bar license!

It is now 1/1/10.  2010 wow!  A new year to start fresh and to get a new outlook on life. A year of more changes and more of the same. I am very fortunate to have a loving husband and daughter who support my efforts in passing the bar exam.

Today I am starting out the new year with an encouraging critique. I needed it!  It feels oh so good. I'll continue working away at better outlining and using those facts.  I think I might be catching on finally.  It meant that I was on the right track and boosted my confidence and boosted that motivation. Everyone likes a good "grade".

The payoff of all this blood, sweat & tears will be that I won't know what my grade is but only that it is PASS. I haven't been able to take the exam in 2 years because of a family illness and death -- started to study twice but couldn't take the exam. All that behind me, I am working and trying to study--holiday and visiting have gotten in the way, but I'll be getting back to a good routine soon--the passing mode.

The new thing too today is I attended my first session of the study group that is going to hold me accountable to do the homework I need to do.  Here I come 1440!  Here is to never having to fear failing again. Persistence and practice will pay off.

Keep Up with the Study Schedule - The Life of a Repeater

Wish I were able to.  Things have a way of getting in the way. Laundry, housekeeping, groceries, work, eating, sleeping all get in the way of studying adequately.  When I sit down, it usually take a little time to get in the grove.  Its seems like its time to get dinner, time for bed, out of time, after I finally get into it. I am thankful that I do have a study group that meets. Thankful that I do have my writing being reviewed (but need to write). Grateful that I do have some understanding people that I am connected with that are going through very similar things that I am. It REALLY helps. Now however I just need to have some good real focused time in 3-hour blocks. Yeh - right. It happens it seems rarely but I am trying. I will keep trying. That study schedule I did have is blown up into pieces...again. Will have to redo it when I can redo it in a fashion I can actually keep up with it. I did actually think I had a nice, reasonable one, but my time has been obligated elsewhere - holidays (but need to study), family visiting--seem to show up invariably during critical study time necessitating the need to keep retaking this beast (but still need to study), sleep (but need to study), work (but need to study), life (but need to study). Well I do need to sleep some so I will not be having much of a life outside of work, study and some sleep now until February 23. Anything substantial outside of the necessities of life will have to wait until February 27.

Writing Help - SOS answered

Consider joining the Law Prism workshops. http://www.lawprism.com/.  Its interactive, detailed, and an essay and PT method using the laptop (unlike most bar programs where the prof did not use a laptop and may not have even taken the PT.)  The reviews of Brian Moquin's Law Prism classes have been excellent - repeaters are excited!  I am excited too - I have a head start and studies are finally going in the right direction--CONSISTENCY and real help. Finally, a guy who knows how to teach how to write in a way that you can absorb. Thank you Brian!

Save and Access Your Files on the Go Via "Dropbox"

DropBox

Dropbox provides you with 2G of backup and space to share documents - Free. The documents are stored on your drive, stored in Dropbox, and accessible online and whatever computers you have Dropbox installed. It was exceedingly easy for me to upload documents recently. You get 2G free which works nicely. I have uploaded most of my bar review directories and now they are safe - just as an extra safety measure if something happens to the computer (stolen, crashes, etc.)

This works quite well for sharing files with your study buddies too. My study group is using this method - its private, safe, and much quicker than uploading to Yahoo or Google.