Procrastination during bar prep is something most of us can relate to. You start the day with the best intentions of studying for the bar, but suddenly, cleaning your desk or reorganizing your closet feels like the most urgent task in the world. Sound familiar? The truth is, procrastination isn’t just about being “bad at time management.” Research shows procrastination is actually tied to how we handle negative emotions, like anxiety or self-doubt. When we avoid tasks, we’re really avoiding the emotions those tasks bring up.
A little Netflix break or spontaneous snack run might feel great now, but it’s not really helping your future self—especially with the bar exam date looming. Here, we’ll explore some strategies to tackle procrastination that you can leverage to stay focused in the weeks ahead of your exam date and feel confident come exam day.
The Emotional Side of Procrastination
Contrary to popular belief, procrastination is much more about emotional triggers than laziness or a lack of focus. Tasks like reviewing civil procedure notes or tackling multiple choice questions can trigger boredom, frustration, or even fear of failure. To escape those feelings, we put the task off.
This emotional avoidance creates a vicious cycle. Avoiding the task brings short-term relief, but the work doesn’t go away. Instead, the stress piles up, and you’re left scrambling.
How to Study for the Ontario Bar Exam: Set a Realistic and Flexible Study Plan
A solid study plan is your best defense against procrastination. A good rule is to start studying early and break the material into manageable chunks. Ask yourself: “How much time can I realistically spend studying each day while balancing my other responsibilities?” Whether you’re studying full time or juggling other commitments, consistency matters more than cramming.
If you’re unsure how to organize your study schedule, please reach out to us and one of our tutors will be able to assist.
Manage Emotions to Stay on Track
Ever felt a wave of dread when opening your bar exam material? That’s your brain trying to protect you from discomfort. But the trick to managing this emotional hurdle is recognizing it for what it is: temporary.
Try mindfulness techniques, like taking deep breaths or setting a timer to work in short bursts. Even 15 minutes of focused work can snowball into longer sessions. And don’t underestimate the power of self-compassion. Don’t beat yourself up if you’ve fallen behind—it only adds to the stress. Forgive yourself, refocus, and move forward.
If you’re really stuck, accountability can help. Working with a tutor (like through Bar Exam Crackers tutoring services) can keep you on track and ease some of that overwhelm.
The Power of Practice Questions
Practice questions are one of the most effective ways to prepare for the bar exam; they test your knowledge while also providing another valuable lesson: how to manage your time.
Make it a goal to incorporate practice exams into your weekly routine. Focus on topics that are especially challenging for you. For example, if civil procedure or estate planning trips you up, use targeted multiple choice questions to deepen your understanding. Check out Bar Exam Crackers’ practice question sets for expertly designed tools to support your prep.
One of the simplest ways to stay on track is to have your materials ready and organized well in advance. If you haven’t already, consider printing and organizing your bar exam materials early to make them easier to navigate and review. Digital files are convenient, but physical copies can make it easier to focus, annotate, and absorb key information without the distractions of screens. Print bar exam materials to create a tangible study system.
Don’t Fall Into the “All or Nothing” Trap
One of the sneakiest forms of procrastination is perfectionism. You might think, “If I don’t have the time to study everything right now, I won’t study at all.” Spoiler alert: this mindset only makes things worse.
Instead, break tasks into smaller, doable pieces. Can’t commit to a long session? Spend just 20 minutes reviewing one section of your bar exam material. Even small progress can make a big difference when compounded over time.
The studying process is about building a strong foundation, not sprinting through everything at once.
Start Today, Not Tomorrow
These strategies, combined with a commitment to consistency, can help you stay ahead of the game and feel confident long before exam day arrives. The clock is ticking, but with the right approach, you’ve got everything you need to succeed. Take it one step at a time, and your future self will thank you for the effort you’re putting in now!
