Law School Academic Support Blog

Editor: Goldie Pritchard
Michigan State University

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Post Bar Exam Reflection: Gratitude

Directly after the bar exam, winter or summer, I am exhausted.  I feel like I have been studying for eight weeks and like I took the bar exam myself- twice.  However, I did not study all summer; nor did I take the bar exam this summer (maybe next year).  But, I, like many of you, was in overdrive helping all of my students prepare for the most challenging exam of their life.

In reflecting on this summer’s bar review, I realize that I learned so much from my students.  I also realize how much they appreciate me and the work that I do.  I worked closely with a few groups of students.  About one week before the bar exam one of the groups surprised me with a homemade lunch that included flowers and gifts and cookies and cards and gratitude and love.  And another group that same week gave me an amazing flower arrangement with notes of gratitude.

Now, we have all received cards and maybe a bottle of wine or chocolates, but these moments were different.  These students brought these gifts to me right before the bar exam, not after.  They were busy studying, preoccupied with readying their bags for their nights away, and trying to keep their anxiety in check; but, they took the time to thank me in these heartfelt ways. 

I cannot express how much these “gifts” moved me.  Yes, the lunch was delicious and the flowers were lovely.  But, that was not what made my heart sing.  It was the sincerity in their gifts.  These gifts embodied gratitude and thoughtfulness.  I could see their gratitude in their eyes. I will never forget their eyes.  I feel blessed to be able to do the work that I do and moments like these make the 24/7 on call, utter exhaustion, and stress of the bar exam all worth it.

On Giving

You give but little when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Kahlil Gibran

 

Lisa Bove Young

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/academic_support/2014/08/post-bar-exam-reflection-gratitude.html

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