Bar Exam Blues:
How Reddit Helps and Hurts Your Confidence
Getting through the LSO bar exams has honestly been one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. I keep thinking: What if I don’t pass on my third try? How am I supposed to save enough money to go through this entire process again if I don’t make it? Maybe I can ask my parents for help...but wait, I can’t—they’re struggling too. Have all the years and energy I’ve invested been a waste? Maybe I’m not cut out to be a lawyer. Should I start over completely?
I’m almost 30, with no career, no money, and my life feels like it’s on pause until I finish these exams. I just want to start living. I want to work as a lawyer. I want to get married and have something to show for myself. I want to be able to help my family financially.
“So, I turned to Reddit. This decision was both the best and worst thing I’ve done, each for different reasons.”
I have so many questions and scenarios running through my head, and more than anything, I just need to find people who understand—people in the same situation, facing the same fears. So, I turned to Reddit. This decision was both the best and worst thing I’ve done, each for different reasons. But let’s start with the good.
Reddit is like the world’s unofficial therapist. It can calm you down, give you a new perspective, offer practical advice, and most importantly, it reminds you that you’re not alone. There are so many people who openly share their struggles and their successes. There’s an entire community of strangers genuinely rooting for you.
After failing my Barrister exam twice, I started combing through forums to see what helped others succeed. I found study tips, strategies, motivational threads, and people reassuring me: “You’re not alone. You are on the right track. Just keep going.” I learned about techniques like colour-coding, highlighting, binding and organizing materials, and other helpful tools. (For my second attempt at the Solicitor exam, the SimpliLaw charts were an absolute Godsend!) Complete strangers were even offering to create tutoring sessions or study groups—just to help others stay motivated.
After these Barrister exam attempts, I’ll admit—sometimes I doomscrolled Reddit just to see if someone else was in the same boat. It made me feel less alone. It gave me hope. I thought: Maybe this time I’ll pass because so many people feel the same way I do. Maybe the passing average will be more attainable.
But then there’s the flip side of Reddit—the side that makes you doubt everything.
Even though we’re all on the same journey, we’re not the same people. Some people find topics easy that I struggle with. Some don’t understand why finishing the exam in 4 hours and 30 minutes is difficult for others. Some preach study methods that don’t work for me — but because they passed, I wonder if I should follow their lead. Maybe that’s the magic formula.
“Then suddenly the harsh takes creep in: If you can’t pass in three tries, maybe you’re not meant to be a lawyer.”
People will say things like, “Reading is a waste of time. It’s not about understanding — it’s about finding the answer quickly.” But what if I need to understand the material to think logically on exam day? Others will say colour-coding is pointless—but for me, it helps the right answers jump off the page. And still, I catch myself thinking: Maybe I’m doing it wrong. Maybe I’ll fail if I don’t follow the crowd. Then suddenly the harsh takes creep in: “If you can’t pass in three tries, maybe you’re not meant to be a lawyer.” But they don’t know about the anxiety, personal struggles, or financial pressure that might be affecting someone’s performance. And yet... those words still stick. Maybe I should give up?
After my previous attempts, I did what many people do: I went on Reddit to see how people felt about the exam. I found it difficult and barely finished — relying on blind guesses near the end. Meanwhile, others posted that it was “easy,” “fair,” and that they had “time to spare.” I felt crushed. My mind swarmed with thoughts: What am I doing wrong? I’m trying so hard. Why don’t I feel the same? I must have failed. Maybe becoming a lawyer just isn’t in the cards for me. Some say, “Don’t write in June—that’s when all the Canadian law students write, and the average score is too high to pass.” Well, I wrote my third attempt in June. I guess I was doomed from the start, right? My results are due in a few weeks... should I even let myself hope?
Reddit brought a lot of noise into my life — some helpful, but much of it anxiety-inducing. Since this was my final attempt, I had to shut it out. Honestly, it was scaring me. I thought: Maybe I should defer. Maybe I’m not ready. But then I reminded myself: I am not less than anyone else writing this exam. I am capable. I have worked hard. I know my materials. I needed to rebuild my confidence — because this was it. Now or never. I deleted Reddit from my phone. I blocked out the noise. I stuck to what worked for me. I gave it everything I had and wrote my third and final attempt in June.
Walking out of the exam, I felt a flood of emotions. Some questions I knew right away. Others, I narrowed down to two choices and gave it my best guess. A few times, I had to make quick calls and move on. Honestly, it could go either way.
Now, as I wait for my results, I still question myself daily. But one thing I don’t question is the effort I put in. I stayed true to myself. I didn’t let the noise shake me. And I walked away knowing I did my absolute best. No matter what happens... I will become a lawyer. I’m not giving up.
Yours truly,
RK