ProfessorTommy.Tips

Bar examinees spend months learning how to think like lawyers. They memorize legal rules, practice hundreds of multiple-choice questions, write essays under timed conditions, and refine their analytical skills. Yet there is one part of exam preparation that almost no one discusses because it seems too ordinary to matter. Posture. It is easy to dismiss posture as something your parents or elementary school teachers reminded you about. But modern research in ergonomics, physiol

July 3 is National Compliment Your Mirror Day, a day that encourages us to practice positive affirmations. Looking in the mirror and reminding yourself, "I've prepared for this," "I can do hard things," or "I belong here," may seem a little awkward at first, but research suggests that positive affirmations can help reduce stress, improve confidence, boost motivation, and encourage more positive thinking. While affirmations are not a magic solution, they can be a helpful part

If you've been watching the FIFA World Cup over the past couple of weeks, you've probably noticed something unusual: Mandatory hydration breaks. Traditionally, soccer (or football, depending on where you are) is a sport with very few interruptions. The clock keeps running, and players are expected to continue competing through long stretches of play. Yet FIFA recently decided that player health and performance justify stopping even the world's biggest sporting event so athlet

Oxford University Press just selected “ rage bait ” as its 2025 Oxford Word of the Year . That alone feels like, well, a little bit of rage bait. But once you get past the eye-roll, it’s actually a useful concept for bar prep. Oxford defines "rage bait" as online content deliberately designed to make you angry or offended so you’ll click, comment, and share. Usage of the term has tripled this year, which tells you how common this stuff has become. If you’re studying for the b

Sour candy and the bar exam don’t exactly scream “perfect pair.” But there is a growing brain science that says sour candy can help dial down anxiety in the moment. And that’s something every bar taker should care about. Let’s talk about what’s going on, how you can responsibly use it during bar prep, and what to do on exam day when you can’t plop a bag of Warheads on your exam table. How Sour Candy for Anxiety Actually Works Yep. This isn’t just TikTok magic. Therapists and

Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory is basically a stress-management tool disguised as a mindset shift. And it fits law school perfectly. In her book, Robbins explains that “Let Them” is the phrase you use when you feel your control-freak instincts kicking in and you start obsessing over someone else’s behavior, reaction, or opinion. Instead of tightening your grip, you make a conscious choice to loosen it. You tell yourself, " Let them think that, " Let them act like that, "

From ABA Law Student Division's Student Lawyer , November 18, 2025: At its core, KPop Demon Hunters is about learning to harmonize strength and vulnerability. The Honmoon—a barrier woven from music, memory, and courage—remains strong only when its keepers accept every part of themselves, even the pieces they fear. Rumi’s journey shows that peace isn’t found in suppressing demons, but in singing through them. Law students face a similar challenge. The pressures of exams, per

From ABA Law Student Division's Student Lawyer , October 16, 2025: When people think of law school success, they often imagine students who are loud in class, quick to volunteer, and seemingly at ease in every networking event. The “easy” advice introverts often hear? “Just become more extroverted.” But that’s not realistic. Nor is it necessary. I say this from experience: I was an introvert as a law student, I was an introvert as a practicing lawyer, and I remain an introv

As Taylor Swift fans know, anticipation is building with her upcoming release of Life of a Showgirl just a few days away. The timing...

From ABA Law Student Division's Student Lawyer , May 14, 2025: This article is your reminder—and maybe even your permission slip—to seek...