Studying For the Bar Exam: Barbri and Beyond

Published: July 15, 2009, 8:05 p.m.

In last week’s show, we discussed studying for the Bar exam: one of the milestones in becoming an attorney. The responses to that show indicated that our listeners wanted more, so we continue the discussion this week. Once again, three recent law school graduates: Nathan Backus, John DiGiacomo, and Hope May will discuss their experience studying for the Michigan bar exam as well as their experience with "Barbri" -- the national bar review course. We will also be joined by a special guest, Daniel Barnhizer, Professor of Law at Michigan State University College of Law and a graduate of Harvard Law School. Professor Barnhizer will discuss his experience studying for the bar exam and how he did it while working full time. In addition to discussing the bar exam, we will also discuss study strategies for developing and sustaining motivation under extremely stressful and daunting circumstances. The objectives of this show are two: 1) to educate and inform our listeners about the bar exam and what it is like to study for this exam and to be a student of Barbri, and 2) to provide advice, based on research on goal attainment and human performance, that should help those attempting to undertake an intimidating goal such as studying for the bar exam.