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I’m receiving more and more DMs of students with serious mental health issues, both depression and anxiety related, directly caused by the bar examination process during COVID-19, students being forced to take in-people exams, & the lack of guidance from Boards & Supreme Courts.
These stories are absolutely heartbreaking. I want to specifically bring attention to pregnant women who are afraid of the potential consequences of getting COVID-19 on child-birth & balancing that w/ trying to jumpstart a career knowing they can’t take the next exam in February.
That will mean they will be unemployable until a calander year from now, which is really sad to me. Some of them are saying they will struggle to provide for their newborns without being licensed attorneys b/c the lower positions they’d qualify for do not outweigh their debt.
Debt is from both bar loans, which are loans most students take out so they don’t have to work full time while studying, & law school tuition loans. If this applies to you, you are DEFINITELY not alone. & online tests not allowing you to use the restroom when needed is not okay.
But to everyone who has reached out with their own story, I say this every day: I hear you. I feel so sorry for what you’re going through. Diploma privilege would solve all of these issues, but we now know this is a bureaucratic money-making & gatekeeping process they will keep.
That is unless we advocate otherwise. We need to advocate on Facebook, Reddit, & other outlets. We are already getting licensed attorneys involved, & they will be helping in some states. We need more ADA lawsuits filed to protect disabled test-takers. We need more advocacy.
I genuinely believe the in-person bar exams are a life-threatening situation & we desperately need national news coverage for it.
In the meantime, I am sensing that the anxiety, even for online or cancelled test-takers without an idea of how to study or what to do, is growing.
In the meantime, I am sensing that the anxiety, even for online or cancelled test-takers without an idea of how to study or what to do, is growing.
I’m deeply afraid and empathetic of how you feel. I’m doing my best to advocate on your behalf. But please take care of your mental health. Do something this evening that makes you happy. Put your textbooks down. Take a nap. Watch Netflix. Whatever keeps your mind at ease, do it.
And if that’s not enough, find someone to talk to. My DMs are open and I answer to absolutely everyone. I would love to talk with anyone who is struggling.
