Like Caitlin Clark, Don’t Get Caught Without a Game Plan After the Bar Exam
The pressure is immense. You’ve spent months buried in outlines, flashcards, practice exams, and bar review materials, all leading up to one of the most important exams of your life. Then suddenly, it’s over. The bar exam is done, and you’re left with a strange combination of relief and uncertainty. Now what? You no longer have to study, but what are you supposed to do with all this time while waiting for results? If you’re not careful, that post-exam void can quickly become overwhelming.
Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s rookie sensation, knows what this drop-off this feels like.
Clark recently wrapped up her first season in the WNBA with a playoff appearance, a remarkable feat for the Indiana Fever, who hadn’t reached the postseason since 2016. Despite her team’s first-round loss to the experienced Connecticut Sun last night, Clark’s season was nothing short of extraordinary.
Now, after an intense year of constant competition, Clark faces something unfamiliar: downtime.
“It’s definitely different for me,” Clark said after the game. “I feel like basketball has really consumed my life for a year, so I feel like it'll be good for me to kind of reflect back on everything that’s happened. Like, I feel like I didn’t even have time to really reflect on my college career because it ended so fast, and then I came here and was trying to give everything I could to this team ... I feel like taking some time to myself and really enjoying that and reflecting back.”
Clark’s comments can resonate with the experience of law students preparing for the bar exam. After months of intense study, the sudden lack of structure can feel disorienting. That’s why it’s so important to have a plan for what comes after the exam.
🏀 The Power of Planning Something Post-Exam
One of the best pieces of advice for bar exam takers is to plan something to do after the exam. Whether it’s a trip, a new hobby, or even just spending time with friends and family, having a post-exam plan is crucial. You need something that helps you decompress and recharge. Just like Caitlin Clark, you’ve spent months focused on a singular goal. Now that the bar exam is behind you, what’s your next move?
Clark’s time off will likely involve a mixture of relaxation and reflection before she inevitably picks up a basketball again. For law graduates, the post-exam period can serve the same purpose. It’s time to recover, reflect on what you’ve accomplished, and mentally prepare for the next steps in your career.
🏀 Avoiding the Post-Bar Void
One of the most challenging parts of finishing the bar exam is dealing with the sudden void that follows. You go from having a jam-packed schedule of studying and practice to, well, nothing. That shift can be disorienting. Caitlin Clark knows she’ll get bored eventually, but she’s already planning to fill that time with more basketball.
For bar exam takers, it’s important to be intentional about how you spend your time after the exam. You don’t want to just drift aimlessly while waiting for results. Pick something meaningful, whether it’s finally taking that trip you’ve been dreaming of, starting a fitness routine, or simply enjoying activities you couldn’t do while studying. By filling your time with purpose, you’ll avoid the post-bar slump that can feel so overwhelming.
🏀 Anticipation During the Grind
Planning something fun or relaxing for after the exam isn’t just a way to avoid boredom; it’s also a motivator during the toughest parts of studying. Just like Clark pushed through difficult games, knowing she had a season-ending goal in mind, bar exam takers can use that same tactic. Having something exciting to look forward to makes it easier to stay focused during the home stretch of preparation.
Maybe it’s a getaway to a place you’ve never been, a new hobby you want to dive into, or even just the simple pleasure of sleeping in without guilt. Whatever it is, that post-exam plan can be the light at the end of the tunnel when bar prep feels endless.
🏀 Growth Happens During Downtime
When Caitlin Clark talked about getting bored, she wasn’t just thinking about downtime. She also made it clear that this break will make her stronger. “What’s scary for her opposition is, she’s probably going to get better,” as one reporter noted.
This sentiment applies to law graduates, too. The post-exam period isn’t just a time to relax—it’s also an opportunity for growth. You can use this time to reflect on what you’ve learned, both from law school and from your bar exam experience. It’s a time to reset your mindset, consider what’s next, and prepare for your legal career. Whether that’s through personal development, networking, or brushing up on new skills, the downtime after the exam is an essential part of the growth process.
Ultimately, having a post-bar plan isn’t just a way to pass the time. It’s something to look forward to that can keep you going during the grueling bar prep process. Caitlin Clark’s rookie season was intense, but she already has a plan for how she’ll fill her time and get better. Law students can take a page from her playbook: plan for what comes after the exam so that you not only avoid the post-bar void but also continue to grow during the waiting period.
