Five Rings, Five Tips: Olympic Principles for Law School and Bar Exam Success

I recently stood in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But this time, it wasn’t just the tower’s iron lattice that stole the show. Hanging proudly in front of it were the Olympic rings, a bold reminder that the 2024 Summer Games brought together the world’s best athletes in a city known for beauty, history, and ambition.

The five interlocked rings—blue, yellow, black, green, and red—were designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1913 to represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from around the world. At least one of these colors appears on every national flag, symbolizing the universality of the Olympic Games.

As I looked at those rings, I couldn’t help but think about law school and the bar exam. Like the Olympics, these challenges demand months (if not years) of preparation, mental toughness, and peak performance when it matters most. Each ring can represent a principle every law student and future bar taker needs to embrace. And each one reminds me of a legendary Olympian.

1. Discipline: Show Up Every Day

Think of Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time. His unmatched medal count came from years of relentless training, often swimming twice a day, every day, for years. Even on days when he didn’t feel like it, he showed up and put in the work. Discipline for him was about consistency, not convenience.

For law students: Discipline means more than just showing up to class. It means keeping up with reading assignments, reviewing your notes regularly, and building your outlines week by week rather than cramming at the end. Treat every class session as an opportunity to build your skills, much like Phelps treated every lap as a step toward Olympic gold.

For bar takers: Make your study schedule sacred. Even if motivation dips, stick to your plan. The small, consistent gains you make daily will build into the mastery you need on exam day.

2. Endurance: Build Mental Stamina

Eliud Kipchoge, the Kenyan marathoner who famously broke the two-hour marathon barrier, didn’t achieve this by casually jogging once in a while. He built his endurance with years of structured, progressive training to maintain focus and performance for the entire race.

For law students: Finals week is your version of the marathon—hours of high-stakes writing and analysis. Start building your endurance early. Practice writing essays or working through multiple-choice sets for increasing lengths of time, so your brain is ready for sustained effort when it matters.

For bar takers: The bar exam can be two or even three grueling days. Simulate those conditions in practice by taking full-length exams, back-to-back timed sets, and essay/MPT combinations. Build up to it so that exam week feels like familiar territory.

3. Strategy: Study Smart, Not Just Hard

Katie Ledecky is a powerhouse in the pool, but her dominance is no accident. Her training is highly strategic, breaking races down into starts, turns, pacing, and finishes. Each is refined through specific drills.

For law students: Avoid the trap of passive studying, like simply rereading case briefs. Instead, identify areas where you struggle and target them with active learning—making your own hypotheticals, quizzing yourself, and seeking feedback. Study with purpose, not just for hours.

For bar takers: Treat your prep like Ledecky’s training plan. Analyze your practice results to identify weaknesses, then design study sessions to address them. Adjust your plan regularly to reflect your progress.

4. Adaptability: Adjust When the Unexpected Happens

Simone Manuel shocked the world in 2016 when she tied for gold in the 100m freestyle, adjusting her pacing mid-race in response to how the race was unfolding. Her ability to adapt in real time made the difference.

For law students: A cold call you didn’t anticipate or an exam question that covers a twist on the law you studied can throw you off. Learn to pause, think, and recalibrate your approach instead of panicking. Practice with varied fact patterns so you’re ready for curveballs.

For bar takers: No matter how well you prepare, the bar exam will likely include something unexpected — a subject emphasized differently than you studied or a tricky question format. Practicing adaptability means staying calm, trusting your training, and moving forward without letting one surprise derail your performance.

5. Support: Lean on Your Community

Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, has openly credited her coaches, teammates, family, and mental health professionals as critical to her success. Even the most talented individuals need others to guide, encourage, and support them.

For law students: Seek out study groups, attend office hours, and participate in review sessions. Discussing the material with others not only deepens your understanding but also helps you see different perspectives on the same problem.

For bar takers: Surround yourself with people who understand what you’re going through — classmates, professors, bar prep instructors, and family. Share your challenges and victories. Leaning on your support network will help you stay motivated and resilient.

Your Own Podium Moment

Whether you’re aiming to ace your next law school final or pass the bar exam, the principles behind the five rings—Discipline, Endurance, Strategy, Adaptability, and Support—can guide you there.

Train like an Olympian now, and you’ll be ready for your podium moment, whether it’s a high grade in class or your name on the list of new attorneys.