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Advice Daily Dose Law School

Learning From Failure: Finally Passing The Bar Exam

Sitting for one bar exam is daunting. Having to work, deal with family issues, and sit through more than one bar exam is beyond brutal. In fact, this entire experience should be added to Dante’s rings.

I sat for the Texas Bar exam 3 times and, before you read any further, let me be very clear: this is my own experience. I’m telling you what I went through and how I overcame it in the hopes that one of you wonderful examinees will make use of this information and ace your own exam. This is not a playbook to get you to pass, it’s merely an account of what I overcame (and what so many of us share) to accomplish this amazing dream.

Failing the exam doesn’t mean you’re going to be a crappy lawyer. It’s not a good measure of what kind of practitioner you’ll be at all. Why? Because the Bar exam doesn’t (and cannot) test your ability to practice the law. Instead, it’s a measure of your competency and understanding of a wide breadth of law. If you failed, pull yourself up and right the ship. Don’t keep dwelling on the failure and wallowing but, by all means, use the setback as ammunition to propel you forward on this journey. You’ll get through this. If you haven’t sat for the exam yet, and are looking for tips, I highly recommend using a few of my own.

After graduating in May of 2019, I immediately started looking for a post-bar position. I was not in the financial state to simply take the bar and then let the chips fall where they may. Landing the job of a lifetime is a major reason for why I had the luxury of sitting for the exam again after missing it by about 3% the first time. [Yeah, I said luxury. The Bar exam is a gate keeper and not a true measure of competency. We all know this, but rarely talk about it. Having the means to pay for a prep course and exam supplements, take time off from work to study, and have the bills paid is nothing short of a luxury.]

Here’s the list of what I changed about my study plan and techniques to give myself every advantage to ace the Bar exam.

Analyze The Scores.

Knowing where I faltered was crucial to my progress. Determining which areas needed more dedication was imperative. I took the time to create an excel spreadsheet with my scores broken down into each subcategory for the exam. This extra step worked wonders when picking apart the subtopics for my own review and Bar prep.

I scored abysmally low on the Property and Evidence sections of the MBE. It was bleak, y’all. As one clerking for an expert real estate attorney, this was a specific slap to my ego and I made sure to deep-dive into these subjects first to work on learning the black letter law. What I’d done wrong, in my opinion, was flying through these questions and thinking in terms of what my boss would do with a client in that situation. But, what we do in practice is not necessarily what the NCBE is questioning. Instead, I needed to take a step back and look the question objectively, recognizing the point of law being tested, and then answering the question. What we end up practicing is not a perfect world scenario. If we honestly tried, each of us could make some sort of argument for each answer on the multiple choice questions. However, that’s not the point of the exam. The point is to read efficiently and answer proficiently; no more, no less.

When combining the score report analysis with my Adaptibar practice exam (cold-turkey 100 questions), it was surprising to see the correlation. In the plainest language possible: I was “doing too much” when I should have slowed my roll and answered the damn question.

Create YOUR Study Plan.

Studying during a pandemic was rough. Worrying about the Board of Law Examiners meetings and whether or not they were going to change the content (which happened), the date of the exam (yep, also happened), and the type (again, yes — this changed, too) took up more of my headspace than I care to admit. Since I’m a type-A creature with the need to assert control over virtually everything, the easiest way for me to handle my study time was to create a study plan.

I think I should also mention that, in addition to dealing with the pandemic, student loan deferment requests, and losing both of my grandparents in a matter of months, my husband and I also found out we (mostly me) were expecting our first kiddo in January. Studying while pregnant? Extra fun.

With the difficulties of nailing down time to study, working in doctor’s visits and pregnancy naps [yeah, those were unexpected and non-negotiable], especially with the change of dates and my hectic work schedule, I decided on a six week timeline. Making the plan was step one. Executing it and working through each topic was another beast entirely. [Remember, the naps?]

The changing framework and timeline in preparing for the exam made studying feel awkward and even more challenging than usual. Plus, all the random pregnancy experiences that I didn’t count on when I initially setup my plan. I was a mess, mentally and physically fatigued, and working like a mad woman to realize my dream.

In total, I utilized over 400 hours of study time. However, I’m pretty sure that was only possible due to the change in date (from July to October), and the fact that I started reviewing my outlines incredibly early [as in, May…a week or so after receiving failing results].

The key is to craft a schedule that works for you. Whatever works for your schedule is the most important aspect for a healthy study and learning experience. There’s also the theory of diminishing returns to consider — it does my brain absolutely no good to study for 13 hours straight. I felt like Barbri videos and reviews, combined with Adaptibar, and Crushendo on a daily basis was just too much for me to handle.

Instead, I made time to study, workout, and spend allotted time with my family. Up until month 5 of my pregnancy, I was walk-jogging 5 miles a day and enjoyed a standing Sunday brunch with my family (this is still very much a weekly ritual, too). This time I was determined to find a happy balance between studying law and living my life and, in my opinion, I was all the better for setting (and keeping) this goal.

Chunking up my time and studying in smaller increments was incredibly helpful to my success this time around. That’s the benefit of starting early and spacing out your study sessions. By setting up this schedule, I didn’t feel like I was cramming information during the final week or two leading up to the exam. I knew I’d put in the required effort and was much more confident walking into this examination. In fact, with closer to 13 weeks of study time, I ended up using my study plan and then dedicating time to more essays leading up to the exam date. I worked through approximately 1500 MBE questions on Adaptibar (and about 200 more using Emmanuel’s and practice with my tutor), 8 MPTs (I re-worked several of the same ones at the recommendation of my Bar Readiness professor), and more than 60 essays questions.

Use the NCBE Topics List.

The first time I sat for the Bar, I followed the Barbri plan. I read through the entire outline for each subject and honestly thought I was “getting it.” But what was actually happening is that I was reading it and not actually taking it in and sitting with the material.

This time around? I took the NCBE outline and matched it up with my Barbri book outline. Then, I scratched out every single topic in the book that was not on the NCBE topics list. I refused to fill my mind with excess information. There’s already too much to review, no need to add extra crap.

After removing the topics that weren’t going to be tested, I read through the table of contents and the outline itself. Making notes here and there in terms of how the outline was organized, as well as highlighting exceptions or minute rules that I didn’t know or remember.

Once I read through each outline fully, I started in on practice MBE questions. No more than 33 per day, typically (see the schedule, above). While working through each question, I read through the answer choices, picked the one I felt was best, and then would flip to the section in the outline where that answer should be and confirm my choice. If I were wrong, I took the time to write the proper rule of down on a notepad and make a note of the page number where I sourced that rule.

I spent 1/3 of my MBE time practicing the questions and 2/3 reviewing outlines and the actual law behind the answers. I highly recommend this method. It came in handy when I worked with my tutor, who would consistently change facts and ask me whether a slight change in circumstance would end in a different result, making another answer choice more likely. Taking the time to really sit with the rules made my approach to the MBE that much stronger.

Hire a Tutor.

That job of a lifetime I mentioned…well, this is where it came in clutch. My boss also happens to be an amazing mentor and he really kept me centered and grounded through this stressful year. When I failed in February he let me know that he didn’t want to start over with another clerk, and that he believed I could pass this exam. I felt entirely crushed after receiving those results, but he helped me keep my head above water and I will be forever grateful. He also convinced me to utilize a tutor for Bar prep. If he hadn’t set this up and made the introduction for me, I’m not sure I would have considered it a viable option.

Working with Keith made the biggest difference in my Bar prep. I had a weekly check-in with him, where I was expected to have reviewed the material and work through practice MBE questions. Keith was my accountability partner, in a matter of speaking, which was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. I asked him to not only help prep me with question review, but also to create study aids to help me work through subject areas, particularly those more nuanced exceptions in the NCBE topic list.

Unlike working through questions with friends and other examinees, Keith kept me on my toes and forced me to analyze questions from multiple perspectives, constantly changing the fact patterns and asking me to explain my rationale. He helped me improve my MBE score by more than 15 points, and ultimately helped me improve my overall exam score by more than 50 points, which made all the difference in overcoming this career hurdle.

Block Out Virtually Everything & Everyone.

My biggest impediment studying for the Bar exam also happened to be my loudest fans and support system. My family went through a whole helluvalot this past year. We lost both of my grandparents to cancer, months apart. Their treatments were harsh and witnessing them slip away was awful for each one of us. Losing them nearly broke me, but studying for the Bar exam and making them proud was the singular focus of my Bar prep life. At least, it was until I found out I was pregnant — then I knew I just had to pass to support this little nugget.

With all the worldly chaos, I had to set boundaries with my family members. I was explicit with my time and autonomy, even going so far as to demand that no one visited our home unless invited. I drew a line in the sand and explained exactly what I needed from them. Thankfully, despite the harsh step I took, they listened. I was granted the space to study, free from the constant messages and calls from them at all hours.

My brain appreciated the time to step away from the family drama and concerns, just for a few weeks. They probably didn’t find the ice-out comical, but…it was necessary.

Focus on the Effort, Not the Time.

The amount of time you study does not matter. Time is relative. I can say I studied for 13 hours and make someone else feel like crap when they only got 9 hours in. How insane does that sound? What you do has no real bearing on what Cindy does to prepare for the exam. She can smoke you on exam day and the amount of time she put in does not necessarily correlate with her likelihood to pass or fail. Sure, there’s always someone who says they only studied for 2 weeks and passed, but the likelihood is that most people put in about 10 weeks of prep time to get through this exam. None of that time matters though if you’re just going through the motions or checking off a box.

The effort you put into the study is what truly matters. I got more out of effective, short-burst studying than I ever did with the marathon sessions using Barbri. I found myself actually sleeping through the night, experiencing fewer night terrors (maybe two or three, where I overslept and missed the exam entirely), and feeling less overwhelmed about taking the exam. I was literally growing a human and focusing on my health first, this exam second. I hadn’t prioritized myself that way before and gosh did I notice the change.

I focused on getting through what needed to be reviewed, sat and took the time to understand the material, and refused to shovel down as many questions as I could handle. That militant study style simply does not work for my study habits, and why I attempted to do that previously is a testament to what I was willing to buy into (stupid bar prep companies) without any regard for how I handled my study time in law school.

Getting the material down, truly understanding it, is key to passing this exam. You’re shooting for minimum competency, which doesn’t sound so hard, but it’s much more difficult than one might think.

Focusing on improvement is much better than setting a goal of 80% or better in each subject for Adaptibar or whatever other Bar Prep course you’re using. I set my sights on achieving a comfortable balance with my health and my study efforts. I think I placed too much emphasis on the idea of studying the first time I took the exam, without any regard to what my actual take-away was. This time around, I made sure to speak about what I learned to my husband, out loud to myself and the bebe, and then again to my tutor. The effort was incorporated across multiple avenues and the material really stuck in my mind. I cannot tell you exactly how many hours I studied, but I can sure as hell tell you I used those hours to my advantage and made each one of them count.

Review & Practice!

I think the key to succeeding on this exam is to keep reviewing and churning through the material in different ways. Look at the MBE questions from different angles and think through the problems. Don’t simply try to memorize the fact patterns, you’ll just end up pissed off and dizzy.

There is a way over the hurdle, but it takes patience and a metric ton of hard work. Don’t let anyone stand in your way. Focus on yourself, your needs and, more importantly, this goal. Set your sights high, friends. You can pass the Bar! I look forward to welcoming you into this amazing profession.

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Daily Dose

Life After The Bar Exam, But Before Results

Passing the time while waiting for bar results is pretty damn miserable. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about MBE questions or the amount of time I put into the prep this summer (…and fall, and what felt like forever this bar season). Since my mind clearly needs to be occupied, I compiled a list that works to pass the time.

1. Binge-Watch A New(ish) Show

I resolved that I would not start any new shows while studying for the Bar exam. And then, quickly amended such resolution when my husband dragged me waist-deep into the first season of Yellowstone.

Aside from this one show — which we finished weeks before the Bar — I didn’t venture off on the search for new content. Rather, I took breaks by watching segments of movies or shows I’d seen many times over: Harry Potter, The Martian, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, Mission Impossible Saga, A Discovery of Witches, and so many other favorites. I took the time to relax my mind after 10-hour study days and I think my productivity during those long stretches of concept review was re-invigorated.

Now that the exam is behind us, I highly recommend taking in all the down time you can. There’s not much point in dwelling on the results, because that will just make you feel like you’re spiraling. We’ve got almost 2 months to go for those results here in Texas, friend. Don’t do that to yourself. Enjoy this time to re-group, re-center, and re-focus your energy into something that makes you happy.

Happiness, in October, for me means lots and lots of Halloween Movies. I’m a HUGE fan of fall movie lists and have compiled several of my favorites. Over the years, October became the start of all my favorite holiday traditions. From decorating to snuggling on the couch with tea and crumpets, this season is sure to be made all the better with shows and movies I’ve been so excited to see.

If you need some help choosing, I highly recommend these to start:

  • Enola Homes, Netflix
  • Blacklist, Netflix
  • Halloweentown Trilogy, DisneyPlus
  • Hocus Pocus, Netflix
  • Little Fires Everywhere, Hulu
  • The Bold Type, Hulu

2. Learn to Craft

I find it difficult to keep still for too long, unless I’m reading – in which case my mind entertains itself with building up worlds and characters so, I guess my first thought here stands true.

As I prefer to keep busy, over the years I picked up a variety of hobbies that I tend to cycle through when I find myself “bored” or unsure of how to spnd my time.

Some of these pursuits tend to be athletic – like training for a half marathon, or grabbing a volleyball and the hubs for a quick set. But for times like these, where my mind wants to keep falling back to essays and questions that I found particularly difficult, I think it best to focus my pursuits on arts and crafts. Personally, the focus and energy required to master an art (or even attempt to be decent at it) is cumbersome. That said, art tends to melt everything away. I can lose myself in painting, embroidering, lettering, or scrapbooking.

Any of these options are excellent for both occupying your time and utilizing your entire focus ability. Plus, you get something gorgeous as an end-result!

3. Find a Book Club

One thing I always wanted to do was take part in a book club. Staying mentally stimulated is, in my opinion, difficult to do if you don’t make the time to converse with others.

In late February, a small group of friends and I began a book club; meeting roughly every six weeks to discuss our chosen piece of literature. We’ve read a variety of genres and take turns choosing books. It’s been so much fun and, truly, a great way to catch up with friends.

Make the whole event extra fun and setup each club meeting as a themed experience — the drinks, food, decorations, or desserts. Enjoy the time with your excellent company!

4. Hone Your Culinary Skills

For those of you that want to practice your brulée skills, or maybe take the time to prep for Thanksgiving, there’s no better time than now!

All this waiting means my friends and family benefit from the stress-baked sweets and homemade tortillas. Throw in the fall weather and my need to bust out soup and stew recipes? Gosh! The stove over at our place has seen quite a bit of action lately.

5. Gear Up for A Virtual Race

Sure, I get it – you’ve been in yoga pants or gym shorts for the better part of this year while dealing with the changing exam dates and the stress of over-eating and fewer workouts – but right now is the PERFECT time to focus on your health. Why not set yourself up for a couch-to-5k?

Admittedly, I’ve had a difficult time getting back into the swing of my workouts. The start and stop of bar prep definitely did not help. But, here we are again — with just the perfect time to get back on the #WorkoutWagon. Why not get back into the saddle, or get started for the first time?

It’s really better to release this stress and tension rather than keep it all bottled up. So, figure out what works for you…rowing, running, walking, swimming — do whatever makes you happy and get moving!

6. Visit Local Landmarks

Living in your city does not mean — I’ve learned — enjoying all the beautiful and quirky aspects of that locale. In Dallas, there are so many not-so-hidden gems that I’d been yearning to visit. During my study breaks, I took the time to enjoy a few of them. I highly recommend you do the same. Visit a new park, savor new flavors by picking up a meal and supporting your local eateries, or drive through a new coffee shop and clear that head of any RAP or Civil Procedure deadline rules. It’s imperative you take the time to re-center yourself. The effort you put into studying (and parenting/working/budgeting/life) these last 5 months has been brutal. You need the break. Take it.

If you need some inspiration in Dallas, follow me over at @cerebellumchef on Instagram. There’s plenty of ideas for art exhibits, chocolate runs, bakery finds, and hidden gems in the city.

7. Visit Your Friends & Family

I’m a HUGE fan of brunch. I can eat breakfast for pretty much any meal and love hosting at our home. That said, after weeks of studying at my own kitchen table, I fancied seeing other family and friends…as well as being taken care of for a change. Too much efort goes into planning, so this is the time to relax as much as possible and relish your family and friends.

I’ve enjoyed Halloween cookouts and am looking forward to our yearly “Friendsgiving.” Some days I feel like I’ve crammed so much into each minute that I just might not have time to spare a second on those exam questions constantly buzzing in the background of my headspace.

8. Organize Your Space

I walked into my house after Day 2 of the Bar Exam and saw it clearly for the first time in ages. Sure, everything was “put away” and clean [save for a basket of gym clothes and sweats that needed to be washed], but there was so much disorder that I felt completely overwhelmed.

I took to Pinterest and discovered these excellent ideas to both save space and provide order to the chaos. I mean, batteries and medicines need their own space – right?

Now that everything is in order, I feel infinitely better! Maybe a little order to this chaos of emotions is just the ticket, eh?

9. Pack Your Bags & GO!

Right now may not feel like the *best* time to travel, but I think getting away for a weekend trip to the lake in a secluded cabin, or a quick trip to enjoy the mountains may be exactly what you need. Take a few friends, or go solo; the time away from your study space (especially if you spent the last 4 months studying at home) will do you wonders — trust me.

May the time pass quickly and results be in our favor!

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Daily Dose Recipes

Quick Meal: Breakfast Pizzas

Time spent at home actually feels like more work. I find myself paying more attention to emails later into the evening, or answering the office line on weekends. The line between work and home is quite difficult to discern when my kitchen table falls firmly in both places currently. Working too much – and liking it – may be a character flaw. My besties informed me I’m simply not trying to relax and draw that line in the sand. Thoughts?

Considering the hustle, and the need to keep a tight grasp of our budget (because, when living with 3 picky roommates, it’s easy to give in to ordering takeout – especially during a global pandemic), I’ve been diligent about my kitchen creativity.

Along with the creativity came the need to customize my lengthier recipes to better suit my new “living room/office” style. Plus, I want to be able to use these options when I actually go back to the office. Quick breakfasts have consistently been a sticky topic for me. I am a firm believer in waffles and bacon and fluffy eggs – and well, all those delicious bits take time. So, here’s the benefit of reading this recipe: It’s quick, easy to grab and go, and always tasty!

What you’ll need to feed 2 hungry adults:

Ingredients –
1 can of refrigerated crescent dough
4 eggs
6 slices cooked bacon 
4 slices of provolone cheese (or any other sliced cheese of your choice)
2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil or Italian parsley
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Now to Prep & Bake!

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Open and unroll the crescents onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Split each sheet of dough right down the seams, so you have a total of 4 medium rectangles of dough. Pinch together any open areas in each square to seal the dough.

Lay one slice of cheese on each sheet of dough. Place the bacon slices around the edge of the dough (at the border). You may have to cut the slices so they’ll fit better along the edges. These slices work as the border to help keep your eggs from rolling onto the pan, so make sure to place them well and firmly on the dough.

Crack one (or two, if you’re extra hungry) egg into the center of each dough rectangle. Sprinkle the egg with a smidgen of salt and pepper. 

It’s just as easy as this lady ^^ makes it seem.

Bake these little egg basket crescent rectangles in the oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges of the dough are golden brown and the eggs are cooked to your preference. I’m a fan of the slightly runny yolk, so 11 minutes and 30 seconds is my happy place. Over 13 minutes, and you’re looking at an over-hard option.

Once out of the oven, garnish your egg baskets with basil or parsley just before serving, and enjoy!

I added dill and red pepper flakes to this version.
Feel free to change up your garnish!

Serve this breakfast dish with a cup of your favorite fruit and a hot latte. I’ll be sure to add my own fave coffee recipes, soon!

Categories
Daily Dose Recipes

Recipe: Frijoles — Charro Beans

Growing up in Deep South Texas meant lots of delicious comida Mexicana. Vibrant colors and rich flavors are a way of life along the border towns of the Rio Grande Valley, where everyone enjoys the combination of Texas charm and latin influences.

At an early age, my grandmother taught me to make frijoles a la charra. It’s such a simple recipe that, after all these years, I’ve only changed it once — and that was to make it spicier.

First things first, here’s what you’ll need to make 1 pound of frijoles.

STEP ONE: CLEAN THE BEANS

If you’re like me, then I’m sure you shoved your hands in a barrel of frijoles as a kid. Watching other people do this at the grocery store is the main reason why I always wash the frijoles! You must do this, too.

My Memo made me focus in on this task. It was one helluva way to keep a kiddo busy – especially when prepping the beans for a large BBQ or family dinner.

Clean beans taste better. It’s as simple as that. You can tell if someone simply dumped a bag of beans into a pot because the impurities will show up – and let me just say this: no one likes piedras (rocks) in their frijoles. That’s just gross.

Cleaning beans is not difficult. Carefully pour the pinto beans onto a clean countertop or table. Then, sort them apart in a section at a time. It’s not an exact science. The aim of this method is to separate the broken half hulls, any funky looking bits, and any potential rocks (yes, rocks) or sediment that may have ended up in the package, from the beans you plan on eating.

Make sure to separate them out a few at a time, careful to set aside the unsuitable ones. Sweep all the favorable ones into the colander or strainer. This entire process should take about 5 minutes for one bag of beans. Don’t worry if you don’t get it done this fast – this takes practice. Here’s what those fractured pieces look like:

Once you’ve placed the beans you plan on eating in the colander, make sure to run them under cold water. If you have time, I recommend rinsing them thoroughly – gently swishing them around under the running water for about 3-4 minutes.

Then let them soak for 4-12 hours. My grandma is a big fan of soaking beans overnight. Soaking them removes some of the sugars in the beans, making the cooking process much faster. However, your overall wait time is obviously much longer. I tend to only do this if I’m making beans for a large group, as it helps with the prepping and planning.

Since I have no self-control, I prefer to have my beans now! Which means I don’t typically soak them. I mean…they’re delicious, and I can eat them with so many tasty main dishes. So, why wait? They’ll cook in about 2-2.5 hours, depending on how long you need them to simmer to perfect softness.

Let’s Get Cooking!

STEP TWO: CUBE THE SALT PORK

The secret to the best beans is salt pork. I know plenty of recipes that use bacon – which is still super tasty – but the best beans use salt pork. HAnds down. Salt pork is salt-cured pork. It is usually made from pork belly and typically looks much like an uncut slab of bacon, but is fattier. All this means is that your beans will be packed with FLAVOR!

Cube the salt pork into half-inch chunks. Leaving them bite-sized makes the flavor bombs much easier to eat. Add the salt pork pieces to the pot. Personally, I like to use a spaghetti pot, this way I don’t have to worry about any boil-over. Set the pot on a burner, turning the heat up to about medium high.

Feel free to cook the pork down just a bit (sauteè the pork until the meaty chunks begin browning, or the aroma in your kitchen becomes heavenly), — this extra step will add more tastiness to your beans.

STEP THREE: COMBINE INGREDIENTS!

Once the beans are thoroughly rinsed and drained, transfer them from the colander to a large pot, along with the 12 cups of water. While the water comes up to a boil, dice your large onion (or two) – which should yield approximately 2 cups. Helpful tip: You can purchase diced, frozen onions instead of chopping a fresh one!

Add the onion to your pot of beans. Then add the can of habanero Rotel. If you don’t like spicy foods, you can forego the habanero peppers and simply choose a can of classic Rotel. The original Rotel adds great flavor without the spice. If you want to kick it up a notch, combine the habanero Rotel and a diced jalapeño pepper (or two), to the pot [depending on your spice needs.]

Finally – add the two bouillon (I used Knorr consomate) cubes.

Pro Tip: Start with 1.5 cubes and then add the last half after tasting the finished product (you don’t want beans that are too salty.) If it’s a bit too salty, you can easily add half-cup increments of water to reach your desired taste.

Stir everything together and get the mixture up to a boil. Then, drop the heat to a simmer, medium/medium-low heat. Continue simmering the frijoles for another 2 hours, stirring them occasionally.

Taste the frijoles after simmering for two hours. Once soft, the beans are ready to eat. If they’re not quite tender yet, then let them simmer for another 15 minutes or so. Feel free to add salt or pepper to taste. Just before serving, set the frijoles to low and stir in the cilantro – roughly chopped.

Violà! There you have it. This recipe is a family favorite. The hardest part of making this dish is the wait time to eat the frijoles! On the plus side, once you get everything in the pot to cook, you’ve got plenty of time to work on a main dish or other side dishes. YUM!

As an added bonus? You can freeze cooked portions of your frijoles for 2-3 months. WOO!

Frijoles are great any time of day. I especially love pairing them with fideo (Mexican vermicelli dish, below), entomatadas (red tortilla dish, below), and calabaza con pollo. My absolute favorite complementary dish? My own version of “mexican breakfast” which is the image that caught your attention to get you here. 😉 See? So many options!

Frijoles are versatile and happen to be a staple in many latin households.
I hope you love them as much as I do.
Let me know what you think of this recipe.

Buen provecho!

Categories
Advice Daily Dose Law School

Pressuring the Pursuit of the ‘J.D.’

When I was little, my mom told me I was smart.  She told me I was going to be the first female in the family to go to a university.  And I was. As my college years passed, I began to feel lost. I’d always had a plan.  A plan to go to college. But what was the plan for after college?  No one ever told me what I was supposed to do next.  If I was so smart, how could I possibly settle for “just” a Bachelor’s degree? If I was so smart, how could I possibly settle for “just” an ordinary job? 

While I didn’t know what I wanted, I knew what I didn’t want.  I didn’t want a “basic” job. I didn’t want to go to med school (blood – yuck!).  I didn’t want to go to grad school as I felt like it would leave me just as directionless as I already was.  So that left law school! It was perfect! A choice that led to a career path. Done! My whole life planned out.  And it was my idea, right?  

Well, after many years as a lawyer and many years of self-reflection, I’ve come to realize that law school was NOT my idea.  It was something I may have thought of, but once I mentioned the idea, my parents would not let go of it.  As a result, I felt like I could not let go of it either.  

I told them I was taking a gap year.  “OK, but you don’t want to lose your momentum…” (pressure, pressure, pressure).  Ultimately, I took two years off. But I think my parents were secretly relieved when I went after that.   Unfortunately, none of us had any idea what I was in for. Most law students graduate with mountains of debt and are stuck working in a field not of their choosing because of that debt.  Most lawyers end up with anxiety and a high percentage have depression and/or addiction issues. How do we lawyers end up this way? Pressure.  

For the students whose entire family is full of lawyers, those families hear their college student say, “maybe law school” and they immediately say:

“Welcome to the family!!!!” 

“Be one of us!!!”

It’s kinda hard to back down from that. You would essentially be saying, “No, I don’t want to be one of you.”

For the students who are one of the first in their family to seek higher education, law school is not just icing on the cake, it’s like the entire candy store on top.  Parents are so proud. And again, once the words are said, you can’t take them back. To the proud parent, it’s a done deal!  

Then there is the self-created pressure.  You’ve always been the overachiever. The one who never gives up.  Are you really going to stop at a Bachelor’s degree? It’s so ordinary, isn’t it?  You want to be extraordinary! But you don’t know how. It’s hard to imagine becoming extraordinary by accepting an ordinary job out of college.  

That’s the problem.  Most of us never allow ourselves to try.  You don’t need more education to become extraordinary.  You need experience. An extraordinary person can turn an ordinary job into an extraordinary one.  Or they can rise through the ranks and reach the extraordinary position.   

Most students don’t even realize they have placed this pressure upon themselves.  Or, they think of it as a positive push to greatness. But often, the result is counter to what they actually want out of life.  Of course, at age 20, most people don’t actually know what they want out of life. And once those law loans are in place, there’s no money left to explore what you want out of life. You have too many bills to pay.

So what’s the answer?  How do you escape this pressure cycle?  It’s simple. Take some time to figure out who you are!  Take time off before going to law school. Even if you are determined to go to law school — a little rest, a little work experience, can enhance your resume.  If you take time off from school, you can save up some of your tuition and reduce the cost of attendance. You can rest your brain for a bit so you can handle all that studying that will come your way.  And if that time off takes you on a new path, that’s OK! Law school will always be there.

I know what you are thinking; you already told people you were going, right?  Well, pull up a few of those scary statistics from the American Bar Association on depression, anxiety, and addiction.  Share those numbers. Tell people you are going to explore a career path that doesn’t have those numbers while you figure out how to not become one of those statistics.  If you express concern for your mental health, backed by real numbers, some of that pressure is going to go away. And once again, you are looking pretty smart!  

From my observations, the happiest lawyers are those who have less debt (and therefore more flexibility on whether they remain a lawyer and what area of law they practice) and attend law school after a break.  I encourage you to be cautious before jumping into such an expensive path. It’s perfectly OK to say I had this thought, but after further research, I determined it was not the best path right now. You have years to attend law school; there’s no rush. But once you attend, that debt will keep you on that path, whether you still want it or not.  So slow down! This is your life!  Make it a happy one. 

About Jolene:
Jolene Blackbourn, Esq. is an attorney who left her senior-level position at a Fortune almost-100 company (106 to be exact) to become a full-time life counselor to pre-law students.  She has been advising law students since she was one herself. She gives speeches to pre-law organizations whenever possible. If interested in having Jolene speak at your school or to take advantage of her free resources, feel free to visit her website: www.JoleneBlackbourn.com/prelaw

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

Things You Should Tell Yourself Before Taking the Bar Exam

Pondering my first go-around with the Texas Bar exam, I thought these tidbits might be useful to others. Right now, you’re gearing up for what feels like your brain’s most intense battle. If you’ve never taken this exam, just know – it may be worse than you think. If you’ve taken it once before – you already have what it takes to make it through the week. Trust yourself and your abilities.

Leave the Phone.

In prepping for the exam days, you should know that your support system wants you to win, but their encouragement may be too much for you to handle at 7am. Leave your phone – turned off – in your vehicle or at the hotel. Their messages will be much better received at the end of each day, rather than the beginning. Go into the exam with a clear head and heart. Trust me, you’ll need both of these things to fight your way through each day. I say this to you while desperately trying to heed my own advice.

This is one exam. It will NOT break you.

You made it through law school and can handle this one exam. I’m not sure how many times I’ve said this to myself over the past few months. Everything felt harder this time around, from gearing up to study, making it through the practice problems, and getting to sleep. The stressors that accompany this exam manifest themselves in physical form and that’s a heavier burden than I expected.

A wonderful friend of mine sent me this message and it’s spot on:
Remember this is just a test. You’ve taken 1000 tests before. And you have got this. Just see each part of the exam as a separate test instead of one big one. You have my support and you will be an attorney. But also this test does not define who you are. You have people around you who love and care about you regardless of what this next week brings.

So, be kind to yourself and remind your inner awesomeness that you can handle this rodeo.

Failure can happen.
Just remember to fail forward.

The worst thing that can happen is you fail. That’s it though. You study again and come back for the exam a second (or third) time. But, the worst thing is that you don’t pass. In the grand scheme of it all – failure is just an opportunity to do better next time. It’s not as big of a catastrophe as you think (or, as you thought it would be when you were a fresh law grad, saying this wouldn’t happen to you the first time you took it). If you fail, you will still be ok. You will get through it. It’ll suck, but you’ll be alright.

Sleep is overrated.
Pass List is Forever.

Yes, you’re exhausted. Hell, you’ve seen better days – of this I’m sure. You haven’t worn makeup in weeks, your wardrobe has pretty much existed of yoga pants and oversized sweatshirts. None of this matters. Just keep pushing yourself through these next few days.

You can deep sleep when it’s over.

For what it’s worth, just remember that you’re phenomenal. You’ve studied. You’ve got this. You’re a bad boss babe and you know. your. shit.

Good luck on the Bar exam!

Categories
Advice Daily Dose

When All Else Fails: Vent.

Venting helps. I think there’s a whole lot to be said about compartmentalizing, but – in my experience – there’s even more that comes with keeping those compartments shut. Hence this need to vent.

I’ve been keeping walls up for several weeks now, trying to stay focused on this goal: pass the fucking bar. I’m already doing the work, helping clients, pushing my knowledge of the law forward – but I’m making the same amount of money as our secretary and that kinda blows. I’ve actually laughed at this, because I’m currently the most educated I’ve ever been in my life and, yet, making the least amount of money I’ve ever made in my life. I know it will be worth it in the long run. But, presently, I need to sit and voice this and let go of this thought. It’s pretty comical though, right?

Thankfully, I took the last month off from work. I setup my out of office notification and peaced-out. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t know there are already more than 800 emails sitting in my inbox and I’m feeling so guilty at the thought of my boss feeling overwhelmed. But the simple fact is this: he gave me the time off, so I could come back to the office, confident I’d put my best foot forward on this exam. So, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. The look on his face when I failed the Bar during attempt Numero Uno was awful. I don’t want to see that again. I’d much rather be able to help him by attending hearings and actually partaking in a true lawyering role. #DreamJob

This past month was a whirlwind of comedic missteps and happenings. A pipe burst in our house, I got physically hurt (not once, but 3 times), and there’s a heap of personal health stuff going on with my grandparents. I won’t go into this because I will cry.

So yeah, life’s been incredibly stressful. And it’s not even the kind of stress one brings on themselves, it’s genuinely things I cannot control. That’s the worst kind of stress. I wish I could tell you that I can just put all of this in a box and deal with it later, but that’s not a gift I possess. I feel like I’m handling things, compartmentalizing. And then, little bits of my mind obsess with these compartmentalized boxes and decide to open them when I’m sleeping (hence the night terrors). Needless to say, it’s been rough.

I’ve been putting on a brave face, getting out there for several runs a week, and even started yoga and daily meditation. I’m trying to keep as balanced as possible, but sometimes these efforts feel like a losing battle. It’s completely possible that I’m feeling this way because the exam date is creeping ever closer. Going through it once was hellish, going back for a second time is difficult to do without a bit of a defeatist attitude. I get it, trust me. But, few people know what this is like; putting your brain through this much concerted effort must be akin to a bomb specialist running down to the wire.

*Actual Footage* of Bar Examiners Giving Out Exams

Getting this out there was quite cathartic. There’s quite a few emotions running through this body and I needed more room for Texas Essay rules, so I had to empty the vessel. I will not apologize for putting this all out in the open. It helped. Do what you need to do to get yourself in the right headspace for this exam. Put yourself first, at all costs, from now until the exam is over.

I highly recommend you let go of whatever minutiae you’ve got stored up because 1) it’s scientifically proven to be unhealthy, 2) you’ve got absolutely no time for wallowing or thinking anything else other than Bar concepts for the next 12 days, and 3) you’re a boss babe/dude and you gotta keep pressing on.

Here’s some positive motivation from a cute bunny:

Categories
Reviews

Stella Nova

Coffee is a main staple in my life. Thankfully, there’s plenty of great options in Dallas. Since I’ve been working hard through this #BarExam review process, I was in desperate need of caffeination.

Enter: Stella Nova.

This new coffee shop in Snider Plaza is across the street from SMU Deadman School of Law – exactly where it needs to be! Law students need all the coffee, lordt knows our legal minds deserve it.

There’s plenty of natural light, comfortable seating, and a lengthy menu. The downside though is that there are few outlets, which means studying here for any real length of significant time isn’t entirely possible – unless you can figure out a way to share an outlet with someone else. Womp, womp.

The menu at Stella Nova is extensive and so is their pastry case! Holy crepes! I tried a the cinnamon roll and it is every bit of perfect, ooey-goodness. I was actually pretty sad I only ordered one, because the hubs helped himself to half of it. >.<

My coffee order consisted of the Smores Latte and Vanilla Latte. Personally, I think their coffee beans were burned, and a bit too bitter. That said, they didn’t over-sweeten my coffee, which I appreciated. The Smores Latte was not my favorite cuppa joe, though. It was slightly toasted, which I felt may have had some potential, but then the coffee itself needed some work. I’m not sure if the barista double brewed it, but the flavor lacked luster.

The rockstar here is the cinnamon roll. Next time I visit, maybe a plain drip is in order.

I haven’t tried everything on this menu yet – that kind of dedication takes time, y’all. However, there’s some excellent options in this cute coffee shop. Sure, there’s similar choices you might find at your local Starbucks but I think the Stella Nova ones taste a million times better. Make sure you pop in and try a few flavors – from coffee to sweets. This new shop is going to become a fave of mine. I’m hoping this location is here to stay.

What do you think of Dallas’ new coffee spot?

Categories
Advice Daily Dose

Avoid the Panic: 5 Stress Management Tips That WORK!

How do you deal with a multitude of life events and circumstances?

I’ve debated posting about this for a while now. So many emotions revolve around taking the Bar, even more-so when you’re taking it for the second time. I wish I could tell you that everything is alright and that I’m doing fine – it’s what I tell myself on a daily basis. Don’t get me wrong, I’m making progress in the Barbri program, and keeping up with my own supplemental studies (like adaptibar and crushendo) – but I have, almost every night for the past few weeks, experienced night terrors.

Stress manifests itself in ways you might not expect. Here I was, thinking my compartmentalization method was effective; only later being woken up in a fit of tears and strangled breaths because of a horrible dream. Someone always dies in them, sometimes it’s me. Now, I’m sure you can imagine that these nightmares are anything but pleasant, and they make getting a full night’s sleep quite impossible. No sleep means crappy study sessions, which leads to the cycle of diminishing returns. So, I endeavored to make changes in my own lifestyle, employing better habits for myself and my own boundaries. I’ve used these 5 things every day for the past week and have realized more peaceful, restful nights, as well as added benefits.

1. Work Out for 30-45 minutes daily.

There’s so many added benefits to working out. One major bonus is that I topple into bed every evening and am actually able to sleep. The other bonus to running, for me, is that I have time to address my worries and think about them while I run. This links directly to #5 – expressing my feelings, even just to myself, makes a huge difference in my quality of life.

2. Plan Every Meal.

I know, yes – this takes time. But make the damn time. Carve out a few hours on Sunday and Wednesday to meal prep. Or, if you have the family support, pitch in for groceries and ask someone else to meal prep for you. I typically cook in our household, but my wonderful husband stepped up to the challenge and has prepared wonderful meals for us while I soak up the extra study time.

Make Time. Thank Me Later.

3. Build in ‘down time.’

I use my calendar like a weapon. If you don’t ask me for time, you simply don’t make it into the book. If you’re not in the plans, then I refuse to make time for you. It sounds mean, but I’m preparing for one of the hardest exams in my life, so this thought process basically comes down to: prioritize me and I will do the same for you. Otherwise, I have no time to give you. I will not apologize for this either.

Another option is to build in time for fun stuff, whether it’s reading for fun or watching a movie with your family at home. There needs to be time spent away from the outlines and study. Every study session needs to be effective, and you simply cannot stay focused if you’re trying to pour from an empty cup. Make time to relax and replenish your reserves.

4. Breathe Deeply & Re-Focus.

Whenever you find your mind wandering, especially in the middle of reading outlines or working on a multiple choice problem, remind yourself to focus and then close your eyes and take a deep breath.

It’s unsettling to sit in one spot for a significant period of time reviewing, studying, and practicing. When I tell friends how many hours I typically study a day – they balk. So I know first-hand how crazy those 10-12 hours days are for you. That said, keeping your focus is a skill you should hone. Trust me, it will make such a difference on exam day.

5. Express Your Emotions.

This entire process is hellacious. The time-suck of studying, after already putting in a literal 3 years of effort to earn the degree, is mind numbing. I already failed once, so there’s this sense of impending doom at not making it through this time. The more I study, the easier it is to drown out the nagging little voice telling me I may not be good enough.

I use my time at the gym to think about how my studies are progressing, to consider what is going on with my family, and contemplate how I may be able to help once I get licensed. Since I can’t just pull these thoughts and leave them in a pensieve, I find it best to deal with them head on.

I hope these tips help you and wish you nothing but the best as you prepare for the Bar exam!

Categories
Daily Dose

Why Wait?

After the year I’ve had – I’m a huge fan of instant gratification. But, since there’s really no way to fast-forward to Spring Bar results, I’ve been left to ponder my studies and the ever useful Barbri countdown, complete with hours spent studying and what I need to study daily in order to complete the program. It’s cool – I’m not type-A or anything. I really appreciate the extra anxiety.

If there’s anything I’ve learned recently, it’s that time stops for no one, and sometimes you’ve got to be your own cheerleading section. I say this not because I’ve ever been left truly alone, but because it’s become glaringly apparent that struggle is relative and failing the bar exam is just not that big of a deal.

I still have my law degree and an MBA. I’m still a competent individual and a damn good law clerk. I’ve got a wonderful job – with a guaranteed associate position after passing the February Bar – and amazing family and friends. So again I say, this was a humbling experience, but not the worst thing in the world.

Failing gave me a new perspective on my career. I want it more than I thought possible. I have a direction that now feels much more purposeful and the support I received was a reminder that this path is not one I’m on alone. This personal militia showed up for me in unexpected ways. After reading my results, I publicly posted about my failure. What came next was the most unexpected outpouring of love and support. In case you need some motivation for your own studies, or just some positive energy to get you going down this – very long – road, here’s some good juju:

I’ve thought about missing the mark every single day since. It’s taken this long just to start feeling motivated because I was more frustrated in myself than determined to push past this point in my life. I browsed study tools, re-upped my book order and Barbri enrollment, and even met with professors. But when Barbri screwed up my order – resulting in my books not arriving until 4 weeks after their order date – and a series of other random events, I felt it harder and harder to sit and study. Focusing took every ounce of effort and with all the crazy batcrap going on in my personal life, I just didn’t have the energy to give. I still don’t, but learning to compartmentalize is a skill I’ve learned to hone.

Many of these events were entirely insignificant. But I made them bigger than they needed to be. These moments were reasons I gave myself to keep me from studying, getting in my own way. Today I realized there was no point in waiting. I’m just putting off the inevitable. I have to study. There’s no way around it. So, today’s the day I put practice in motion.

I hope you find the steel you need to get through this, too. Best of luck and may your grit get you through.