Written by Scot Goins, Associate Dean of Academic Achievement, Bar Success, and Data Analytics
Most bar exam takers recognize that preparing for the test and taking the exam are going to be a stressful experience. However, what is often overlooked is that waiting for bar exam results can be an emotional roller coaster. As a law professor and academic support professional, I’ve guided countless students through this unique period—a limbo defined by uncertainty, hope, and anxiety. While you cannot speed up the results process, you can manage your stress and make this window more productive, reflective, and even restorative. Here are practical strategies and supportive perspectives to help law graduates navigate this critical time.
Stress management is key to physical, mental, and emotional health.
Normalize the Stress
- You’re Not Alone: Almost every law graduate waiting for bar results feels tense, second-guesses their answers, and relives various parts of the exam. Thinking about the MBE questions, the essays, and the MPT and trying to remember whether you addressed an issue or questioning whether you wrote enough is a common experience after the exam, as is the associated stress that comes with such thoughts. Remind yourself that these emotions are normal. Even seasoned legal professionals remember this as one of the most stressful waiting periods in their careers.
- Talk About It: Share your worries with trusted peers, alumni, and the team in AABS. You’ll likely find you’re all feeling similar things as other exam takers, and solidarity can be soothing and also help you feel less stressed. The vast majority of former bar exam takers have dealt with similar issues, which again help normalize your process.
Create Structure and Routine
- Schedule Your Days: Without the bar study schedule, some students experience a “void” that amplifies stress. Set a daily routine—whether that’s a return to hobbies, a temporary job, or even light professional reading. Structure brings predictability and calm.
- Set Boundaries: Avoid excessive “refreshing” of result pages or obsessively rehashing exam questions. Allocate designated times for checking email or official updates, then refocus elsewhere. Be cautious of spending too much time online trying to guess dates, times, and results.
Use the Waiting Time Wisely
- Engage in Professional Development: Attend webinars, work on your resume, or network with practitioners. This way, the waiting period feels like a bridge—not a standstill.
- Reflect and Plan: Take stock of your legal interests and career ambitions. What kind of lawyer do you want to be? What experiences would fuel your growth, regardless of the outcome?
Prioritize Your Well-being
- Move Your Body: Exercise is one of the most effective stress relievers. Take walks, try a yoga class, or learn a new sport—whatever gets you out and moving.
- Focus on Sleep and Nutrition: Don’t sacrifice healthy eating or regular rest. Stress is easier to manage when your basic physical needs are met.
- Practice Mindfulness: Meditation, breathing exercises, or even a few quiet moments of reflection can lower anxiety and re-center your perspective.
Be Compassionate With Yourself
- Self-Kindness: You’ve just completed one of the most rigorous professional exams. If your mind feels exhausted or you’re less productive for a while, that’s natural.
- Avoid Negative Self-Talk: Thoughts like “What if I failed?” are common, but try replacing them with affirmations: “I did my best,” “My worth is not defined by one outcome.”
- If you attended Score More Saturdays or Work-on-it-Wednesdays, one thing you will remember is that your thoughts are just that — thoughts. They only have the weight that you give them (remember the ‘I am a banana exercise’).
Connect With Your Community
- Stay Engaged: Take part in law school events, bar association mixers, or volunteer activities. Maintaining connections can ward off isolation and offer valuable professional opportunities.
- Celebrate Milestones: You reached a huge milestone simply by sitting for the bar. Celebrate this feat with loved ones, regardless of the outcome. It takes a village, and making it to this stage of your professional and academic development is a big deal.
Plan For Every Outcome
- If You Pass: You move forward, energized and validated in your path. Leverage academic support resources for the next steps, such as job applications or bar admission logistics.
- If You Don’t Pass: Remember, many outstanding lawyers took the bar more than once. Reach out to AABS early for tailored guidance and a plan to move forward. You are never alone on this journey, and course-correction is achievable. A misstep on the exam is not the end, but rather an opportunity for course correction and a chance to inspire others on their journeys.
Final Thoughts:
The period between taking the bar exam and receiving your results is not wasted time. It’s an opportunity to rest, grow, and prepare for the exciting, challenging legal career ahead—and support is always available, no matter what the outcome. Use this time to invest in yourself both personally and professionally, and know that your Academic Achievement and Bar Success team stands with you every step of the way. If you need anything, reach out to us!