Lessons from a Foggy Morning

This morning, I looked out my window and saw a landscape softened by fog—a heavy, gray blanket that blurred the edges of the world around me. Trees and buildings were still visible, but their sharp outlines faded into the mist. It was a quiet, reflective scene, a reminder of how life can sometimes feel when we’re navigating uncertainty and can’t see the path ahead clearly.

For law students and bar examinees, this foggy morning is a perfect metaphor for the journey you’re on. Whether you’re slogging through dense legal concepts, drafting bar exam essays, or working on multiple-choice questions that all seem to have several correct answers, it’s easy to feel like the path ahead is unclear.

But here’s the thing about fog: It doesn’t last forever. And neither will your uncertainty. Just like driving through fog requires focus, preparation, and trust in the process, so does preparing for the bar exam.

Here are some lessons from this morning’s fog to inspire you:

🌫️ Focus on the Next Step

When you’re driving in fog, you can’t see the entire road—but you don’t need to. All you need is to see the next few feet. The same is true for your studies. Don’t let the sheer volume of material overwhelm you. Break it into manageable chunks. Review one subject, outline one essay, or tackle one set of MBE questions at a time. Celebrate those small wins—they’re what will carry you forward.

Practical Tip: Create a daily study plan with micro-goals. Instead of saying, "I need to finish Torts," aim for smaller, actionable tasks like "Outline Intentional Torts cases" or "Complete 10 negligence multiple-choice questions." Focus only on the day ahead.

🌫️ Trust Your Preparation

Driving through fog requires faith in your headlights, your instincts, and the road beneath your tires. Similarly, preparing for the bar exam or excelling in law school requires trust in your preparation. When doubts creep in, remind yourself of the work you’ve already done. If you’ve been consistent with your studies, you’ve already built the foundation you need to succeed.

Practical Tip: Keep a journal of what you’ve accomplished each day. Reflect on your progress—it’s proof that you’re moving forward, even if it feels slow.

🌫️ Keep Moving Forward

In the fog, staying still is often riskier than moving forward. The same holds true for your studies. Even if you feel stuck, even if your essay practice feels like it’s going nowhere, keep moving. Small steps add up. Progress, no matter how tiny, means you’re one step closer to your goal.

Practical Tip: When you feel stuck, commit to just 10 minutes of focused work. Often, starting is the hardest part. Once you’ve begun, momentum will follow.

A Reminder: The Fog Lifts

Here’s the best part about fog: It’s temporary. As the sun rises, the fog lifts, and what seemed hidden becomes clear. Law school and bar prep work the same way. Over time, concepts will click, essays will improve, and your hard work will pay off.

Trust the process. Trust yourself.