Survival of the Fittest

We pulled into the parking lot of the Roanoke Convention Center a few minutes after 8 am this Tuesday. Throughout the whole parking lot you could see a sea of black suits, occasionally interspersed with the brave soul who wore tan or brown or dark blue. Everyone was carrying plastic baggies with 3 pens, ID, 1 credit card, some cash, and a watch. Several hundred people were also wrestling with computer cords and laptops. Almost everyone had either a cup (or two) of coffee and/or a cigarette. You could feel the tension hanging in the air.

It was time to take THE BAR.

I don't blame people for being nervous, for showing up early for check-in, for even being zombie-like at the hotel (our hotel was jam packed with people taking the Bar) because you go to school for 3-4 years, study full time for 2-1/2 months, are in tons of debt, and your career is based on how you do during a 2 day test where you literally have more subjects covered than you actually took in school. I would totally be stressed. But looking from the outside, it was funny to see the pacing, adjusting of ties and hair, and grim determination; hear people comparing resumes, involvement in law school activities, and memorized facts; and feel the anxiety.

When we were back in the area to pick Roy up for lunch things had changed immensely. People were laughing and joking around and enjoying their extra long lunch break. The newness was over and they were 1/4 done. People even took the time to wave and talk to Abby (the poor thing was probably feeling deprived since all the law students had ignored her the day before...she's just not used to NOT being the center of attention and affection). :) I like to think she lightened things up for a few people.

So we survived the Bar. Roy felt like he did his best and had unending energy for two days. We couldn't ask for anything more, especially since he (and I) didn't sleep well the night before due to our own wrestlings with the Bar stresses. It's not something I ever could have imagined without being there to experience it. I'm glad we were there to support Roy, enjoy the delightful Olive Garden dinner, and mostly to celebrate the fact that Roy is DONE with his day-long studying sessions. At least for the near future.