How to stop feeling like an imposter wannabe lawyer?
Hey there, future lawyers!
Can we talk for a sec?
Am I good enough?
Can I do this?
Me? A lawyer?
The bar examiners are telling me this is not for me?
Sound familiar?
You spent years in law school tackling the law.
You analyzed cases.
You suffered through the Socratic method?
It was tough but you made it through law school.
Then came the bar exam?
And you failed it. Again, And again, And again.
Now, a little voice says: finish what you started.
But there’s a louder voice. Laughing.
“You’re a fraud.”
“Getting through law school was a fluke.”
How did I nail what’s going on inside you?
Because, what you’re experiencing is common.
You are not alone.
That voice is the notorious Imposter Syndrome.
It just loves to target brilliant, hardworking people.
It talks them out of studying for the bar exam?
It talks them out of doing everything in their power to pass.
It tells them not to even try because “you’re just gonna fail it again.”
That self-doubt, that nagging fear that everyone else is way more prepared?
It's normal.
The bar exam is fierce, and so it's okay to feel a little scared.
Just remember. You are not alone in this.
There's a whole community of future lawyers out there, all facing the same challenge, all battling with the same anxieties.
You also don’t have to let the Imposter take over.
So, how do we shut up the Imposter?
1. Let's Talk Back: That voice in your head? It thrives on silence. Challenge those negative thoughts! Instead of "I don't belong here," tell yourself, "Yup, the exam is a challenge, but I've overcome challenges before, and I will again."
2. Remember Your Wins: Think back to all those late nights you powered through, the complex concepts you finally grasped, the practice questions you aced. Write them down! Seeing your accomplishments on paper is a powerful reminder of your strength.
3. Find Your Cheerleaders: Don't bottle it up! Surround yourself with people who believe in you – classmates, mentors, family, whoever fills your cup. Talk about your anxieties, celebrate your victories, and let their support drown out the Imposter.
4. Big Victories, Small Victories: Every step forward counts. Did you have a breakthrough in a particularly tough subject? Celebrate! Did you finally understand that confusing rule? High five yourself! These wins, big or small, are proof of your progress.
Listen, feeling a little doubt is part of the journey. But the key is not to let it become your driver.
Focus on what you've achieved, the mountains you've already climbed. You are capable, you are prepared, and you absolutely belong here.
This Bar Exam? You've got this. Now go out there and show yourself (and that irritating little Imposter) what you're made of!