I just got my FL bar exam back... I failed again... for the 3rd time. My question is, how many times should I try before I give up? Am I just not a good fit to be an attorney? Am I just kidding myself? I do have a decent job that is not really law-related, and I can just stay here and keep retaking the bar until i die. How many times will you guys try before you give up?
As long as you have a normal life, you can keep trying. I mean, if taking the bar does not stop you from having a nice family life, nice job, and a healthy life in general, you should keep trying if it is important to you. However, if it is making you lose your place at work, hurting your relationship in any shape or form, or simply hurting your self-esteem, then you should give yourself a break.
After all, life should go on, with or without passing the bar. Many people don't remember that.
If you don't have to be an attorney, you should stop
Unless you absolutely want to be an attorney, then go after your dream. However, if you don't have to be an attorney and still be satisfied with your job, then you should take it as many times as you want. However, I will move on if I could. passing the bar should not stop you from doing other great things or making you feel better or worse about yourself.
I failed the bar exam 7 times, 5 in Illinois and 2 in Missouri. I had been doing this for 7 long years. I cannot tell you the torture I went through during this time. Law school sucked, but taking that stupid test all those times was the worst. It took everything I had including self-esteem, time and thousands of dollars. Every time I failed, I felt worse about myself. I just could not understand how I could have done so well in law school, then not be able to pass the bar exam so I could practice. I kept taking the test thinking this time will be different. I took Barbri and Micromash, and even had a private tutor. Needless to say, this was the absolute worst time of my life. You are the only one that can answer the question about stopping. In my case, I was just done. I wasn't going to give them any more of myself. I went out and found a job that utilized my JD, but didn't need me to be licensed. The thought that I will never have to deal with that test again makes me giddy with happiness. For me, the decision to go to law school was a mistake. But the decision to never take that stupid test again was the best decision I ever made. Good luck.
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