Color Your Way to Bar Exam Success
When you think of bar prep, “coloring” probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But hear me out—coloring isn’t just for kids. It’s a simple yet powerful tool for stress relief, focus, and even memory retention. I recently started coloring on my iPad, and I’ve found it to be a surprisingly effective way to unwind and refocus.
If you’re in law school or deep in bar prep mode, here’s why you should grab some colored pencils (or an Apple Pencil) and give it a try.
1. Coloring Reduces Stress and Anxiety 🧘♂️
Bar prep can be overwhelming, and stress levels can run high. Coloring activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps calm the mind and reduce anxiety. It’s a structured but creative activity that allows you to zone out from case law and bar exam outlines, even if just for a few minutes.
💡 Tip: Try coloring during study breaks to decompress and return to your work with a fresh mind.
2. It Helps with Focus and Mindfulness 🎯
Law school and bar prep require deep concentration, but distractions are everywhere. Coloring forces you to focus on small details—choosing colors, staying inside the lines, and blending shades. It’s a mindfulness exercise in disguise.
💡 Tip: If you struggle with staying present while studying, try a 10-minute coloring session before tackling practice essays or MBEs.
3. Coloring Improves Memory Retention 🧠
Studies suggest that engaging in creative activities like coloring can improve memory retention. The act of using colors and patterns can help reinforce information—just like highlighting key concepts in an outline.
💡 Tip: Use coloring to reinforce legal concepts! Try color-coding different legal subjects or key rules while you color.
4. It’s a Low-Stakes, Judgment-Free Activity ✅
Unlike law school exams, there’s no “wrong” way to color. No grading, no cold calls—just pure relaxation. And let’s be honest, after hours of analyzing fact patterns, sometimes your brain just needs something simple and fun.
💡 Tip: Keep a coloring book or app handy for those moments when you need a mental reset.
5. It Gives Your Eyes a Break from Heavy Reading 👀
Reading case law, outlines, and practice questions for hours on end can cause eye strain. Coloring provides a break from the screen (or dense legal text) while still keeping your brain engaged in a focused task.
💡 Tip: If you’ve been staring at your bar prep materials too long, switch to a coloring session to reset your eyes and mind.
Give It a Try! 🎨
Coloring might not replace your MBE practice or essay drills, but it can definitely be a valuable tool in your bar prep toolkit. Whether it’s a few minutes of coloring between study blocks or a fun way to wind down after a long day, you might be surprised at how much it helps.
So, grab an iPad, a coloring book, or some old-school crayons, and color your way to bar exam success!
