‘Twas the night before the bar exam, and no directors were stirring, but for candidates, the nerves were still occurring. With their desks long cleared of outlines, flashcards, and study materials, practicing attorneys still have vivid memories of taking the bar exam. We asked Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith attorneys from across our offices to share what they wish they’d known the night before the bar exam. Attorneys from New Orleans, Jacksonville, Houston, Gulfport, and more reflected and provided advice that reflects their determination, humor, and perspective.
For one Galloway attorney, the experience of taking the bar almost didn’t happen. Associate Mikhael Khan of Houston shared, “I almost didn’t sit for the bar exam. We have a limited number of tries in Texas, and I genuinely didn’t feel ready and was scared to “waste” one of those tries when I felt almost guaranteed to fail. I was in the bar prep office the night before the exam, and thankfully, an advisor shared, ‘You will never feel ready. You will never know everything that is on the exam, but you do know how much effort and hard work you put into preparing for it. Trust the process.'”
Whether you’re preparing for the exam or supporting someone who is, we hope these insights offer encouragement and confidence on the eve of the bar exam.
Trust Yourself and the Work You’ve Put In
The night before isn’t the time to cram or memorize one last rule. It’s about recognizing the work you’ve already done. Several attorneys echoed these sentiments: you’ve already done the work and it’s time to show up. You’re ready.
- Nothing left to do but do it. You’ve learned everything you can, now trust your instincts and pass the bar! – Director Madeline Smith Hebert, Houston
- The hay is in the barn. You have planted, fertilized, watered, cut, and stacked it. The hard work is finished, trust the process. – Associate Jacques Migues, Lafayette
- Trust in yourself. Don’t be swayed by how many questions your friends have completed, how many hours they put in, or their scores. You know what it takes for you to be prepared so stick to that! – Associate Catherine Grimley, Houston
- The night before the bar exam, I wish someone had told me that I had already done the hard part. All the late nights, practice questions, and outlining had prepared me more than I realized. At that point, it was no longer about cramming in one last rule—it was about trusting the process, getting some rest, and walking in the next day with confidence. Sometimes the best thing you can do before a big moment is to breathe, believe in yourself, and go to bed early. – Associate Jared Nelson, Lafayette
Let Go the Night Before
While it may be tempting to review notes one more time, many of our attorneys agree that it’s time to stop and rest. A good night’s sleep matters a lot more than one more outline.
In Pensacola, Associate Steffanie Pasquale, who went viral for sharing her bar exam journey on social media, shared, “I wish someone told me the only thing I needed to do the night before the bar exam was to watch an episode of Friends and trust the work was already done.” She added that for those more anxious and looking to calm nerves, 5 practice questions will help boost your confidence before getting plenty of rest.
- Don’t bother with studying, do something relaxing, and get a good night’s sleep. – Associate Athina Lehovitis, Tampa
- By the night before you have done what you can do and have to trust the hard work you have put in up until that point and stop, relax, take a hot bath and get a good night’s sleep. – Special Counsel Susan Bruhnke, Gulfport
- If you don’t know it now, you’re not going to learn it by tomorrow. – Associate Nadia Savo, Houston
- Hit the bed, not the books; you already know all everything that you are going to know for the Bar Exam the next day. – Associate Rachel Grimley, Tampa
- Get some sleep. If you don’t know it by now, cramming and freaking out will not help you. You know more than you think so relax! – Special Counsel Allison Escott, Atlanta
- If you can’t sleep, adrenaline will carry you through! – Director Sarah Baggett, Tampa
- I wish someone had told me that, even if I was anxious or nervous, to make sure I rested as well as I could. The bar is arduous, and rest helps. – Associate Shelia Tolar, Mandeville
Keep It in Perspective
The bar exam, its preparation, and its results are serious. But as a few attorneys reflected, the bar doesn’t define your career – or your worth.
- I wish someone had told me that the bar exam doesn’t define you — just show up, breathe, trust yourself, and do what you’ve trained to do. – Associate Hannelore “Hanny” Saab, Houston
- “This too shall pass.” Treat it as a full time job, create a schedule and plan that works for you, and it will be over before you know it. – Director Edward Krakauer, Fort Lauderdale
- Do your best to get a good night’s sleep and remember, everyone is as anxious and nervous as you. – Director Donald Moore, Gulfport
- It’ll be worth it. – Director Henry Weber, New Orleans
- Get plenty of rest and go to bed early. It’s only the Bar Exam – the worst that can happen is you have to retake it. – Associate Matt Sandifer, New Orleans
Don’t Neglect the Logistics
Sometimes getting to the exam is the toughest test so it’s important to plan the basics in advanced. Heather Angelico, a Director in our New Orleans office, commented, “Control the things you can control — bring a sweatshirt if it’s cold, bring snacks to keep up your energy, and plan on getting to the bar exam early in case you need extra time to find parking or where you need to be.
Autumn George, Heather’s partner in the Jacksonville office, had this advice: “Get a hotel near the test site or have someone drop you off – because ain’t nobody got time to stress over parking on bar exam day!”
And while you’re thinking ahead, keep your bar prep purchases realistic: Avoid the unrealistic large purchase during bar prep. I bought an indoor punching bag and never used it. – Special Counsel Catherine Arpen, Jacksonville
Stay Calm During the Exam
Our attorneys also shared how they kept a cool head during the test itself. Don’t overthink it!
- Taken from a great bar prep professor: “Shut up and pick it.” – Associate Lydia Henderson, Jacksonville
- Stick and move. – Associate Sam Fuller, New Orleans
- Avoid second guessing your instincts, and when in doubt, go with the first thing you thought was probably right. – Founding Director Tim Burr, Pensacola
- The Bar Exam will be over a lot quicker than you realize. Try not to overthink, trust you studied hard enough, and take the Exam one question at a time. – Associate Brenden Collins, Tampa
- Relax. – Director Frederick “Billy” Swaim, New Orleans
How the Exam Tests
For those still deep in study mode, some of the best preparation comes from understanding how the bar exam tests, not just the material.
- Study questions from prior Bar Exams (if your state publishes them.) They are your friend, and they will be used! – Associate Joseph Gerache, Gulfport
- If anyone in any of your exam prep ever says “Don’t worry about [subject], they haven’t tested on that issue in many years,” make sure you know about it. – Special Counsel David Massey
Galloway attorneys remember facing this moment. Each one came through to the other side.
If you’re a law student or recent grad considering your next step, learn more about starting your career with Galloway.
Now get some sleep!