It’s time to PASS THE BAR. If you’re viewing this post, you’re either about to embark on your bar prep journey, in law school and curious about what lies ahead for you, or you’re lost 😉 In any event, in this post you’ll find the bar exam prep essentials that I used to pass the Uniform Bar Exam on my first try! (Thank god)
I wanted to make sure to give you the inside scoop on all of the things I did to feel my absolute best during bar prep. So, without further ado, here is my list of all the things you need to successfully study for the bar!
Bar Exam Prep Essentials to Get You Through Bar Prep
01. Bar Prep Course
First, without a doubt–you will need to purchase a bar prep course. I understand that they are pricy, but they are proven to increase your chances of passing the first time around. Also, it’s extremely difficult to try to study on your own without one. As someone who has been through it, I recommend you invest in a prep course to guide you through the insane amount of law that you need to know/memorize before exam day. Even if you have the slightest doubt–believe me, passing on your first try is “priceless.”
So, what prep course did I choose? Well, you can find all the details surrounding my decision process in this video on my YouTube channel (linked below).
If you didn’t watch the video, I choose Barbri, and I would give it a 10/10 rating. Again, if you’re interested in a more detailed review/discussion about Barbri’s bar review course you can watch this video (linked below) on my YouTube Channel.
02. Desk Bike
Now, let’s get into the bar exam prep essentials that I personally believe helped me pass my first try. Starting with my Infamous Desk Bike by Flexispot–frequently featured on my TikTok.
Flexispot was generous enough to gift me a desk bike–one of the perks of being an ‘influencer’. However, before they reached out to me I was seriously considering purchasing one on my own for bar prep for a few reasons. First, studying for the bar exam gets repetitive. I’m fortunate enough to have an amazing desk set up, but I didn’t see myself sitting down 10-12 hours per day. I also didn’t see myself taking the initiative to go for a walk or the gym at any point during the day. The desk bike allowed me to kill two birds with one stone if you will–I was able to exercise and study at the same time. In addition, it gave me another area in my small apartment to study. I think creating a change of scenery when you’re studying for long periods of time helps you re-focus and stay productive. Ultimately, I used the desk bike every single day during bar prep and I highly recommend the one I have if you’re in the market to purchase one.
03. Supplements
Not only do I recommend purchasing a bar review course, but I also highly suggest investing in a supplemental materials (e.g., Strategies & Tactics, Adaptibar). I talk in detail about the supplements I used and how I implemented them into my daily study schedule in the video below.
04. Vitamins + Mental Health
While exercise is extremely important to your physical health, you also need to nurture your mental health as you study for the bar. I made it my priority to be the healthiest I could be–both mentally and physically to prepare for this exam. Here’s a list of my bar exam prep essentials that I used daily:
- Daily vitamins (B12, Fish oil, Digestive enzyme)
- Drank lots of water (see 1/2 gal. bottle linked below)
- Read *The Zen of Passing the Bar Exam*
- At least 9 hours of sleep per night
05. Caffeine
If you didn’t know, I am the caffeine QUEEN. If you’re a coffee lover like me, there are two things I suggest you do if you haven’t already: (1) Invest in a good coffee machine and (2) Try some caffeinated seltzer. You’ll thank me later 😉 For reference, I’ve linked my Nespresso model/accessories/favorite capsules and favorite caffeinated seltzers below:
Nespresso Machine: Vertuo Next Premium in Rose Gold
Nespresso Barista Recipe Maker
Favorite Capsules & Seltzer
06. Study Supplies
Last, but not least you’ll need some study supplies. If you know me, then you already know I have a soft spot for aesthetic office supplies/stationery. Before I began bar prep, I made sure to stock up on flash cards, highlighters, and pens to help with memorizing the rules of law. Also, I purchased a set of binders to organize any hard copy materials. As far as tech goes, I used my iMac, MacBook Air, iPad Air with Apple Pencil, and AirPods Pro simultaneously every single day. You definitely don’t need everything that I have, but I suggest investing in a second monitor/screen so that you can access your video lectures and take notes at the same time. Using a second screen will make your life a whole lot easier and more productive.
Remember: You don’t need to know everything in order to pass!
Of course, these things will help, but they don’t replace the 300+ hours of studying that it takes to pass the bar exam. However, if you put in the work and use some of my essentials mentioned above, I’m sure you’ll CRUSH the bar.
What are your essential items you’ve purchased for bar prep? Tell me in the comments below!
GOOD LUCK! XO Julianna
