Ep 023 - Raquel Penalver Bartolome
How Raquel Penalver Bartolome Beat the Bar Exam: Real Talk on Resilience, Mindset, and Motivation 💪🎓
From Tears to Triumph – A Candid Conversation About Failing, Trying Again, and Finally Passing the Bar 🌟
Welcome back, future attorneys and bar exam warriors! ⚖️ If you’re deep in the trenches of bar prep, feeling the pressure, or maybe even bouncing back after a setback, this story is for you. In the latest episode of the Bar Study Motivation Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Raquel Penalver Bartolome – a newly minted bankruptcy attorney who knows exactly what it’s like to face the bar exam, fail, and come back stronger.
Here’s what makes Raquel’s journey so inspiring:
First, the emotional rollercoaster 🎢. Raquel shares the raw, honest truth about what it feels like to open that results email – both when you pass and when you don’t. Spoiler: she cried, called her mom, and then went straight to work. The relief and joy were real, but so was the anxiety and self-doubt the first time around.
Second, building a study plan that works for YOU 🗓️. Forget cookie-cutter schedules. Raquel talks about the importance of listening to your own needs, not just following what everyone else is doing. She broke down her weaknesses, focused on targeted review, and used repetition to master those tricky multiple-choice questions.
Third, the power of support (and boundaries) 🤗🚧. Family and friends can be your biggest cheerleaders – or your biggest distractions. Raquel learned to communicate her needs, block out negativity, and lean on her support system without letting others’ anxiety become her own.
Fourth, discipline is everything – not just in study, but in life 🥗🏋️♀️⏰. Raquel credits her success to discipline in all areas: sleep, nutrition, routines, and yes, study habits. She found that a healthy, disciplined lifestyle gave her the mental edge she needed to keep going, even on the toughest days.
Fifth, advice for July bar takers (and beyond) 💡: Trust yourself and your instincts. Review your mistakes – don’t just keep grinding blindly. Take every step forward, no matter how small. Be intentional with your prep – quality over quantity. Remember: Passing the bar is as much about mindset as it is about knowledge.
Raquel’s story is a powerful reminder that the bar exam isn’t just a test of what you know – it’s a test of your resilience, your adaptability, and your belief in yourself. Whether you’re gearing up for your first try or dusting yourself off for another round, know that you’re not alone. Every little bit of progress counts, and your journey is uniquely yours.
Ready to get inspired? 🎧 Listen to Raquel’s full story on the latest episode of the Bar Study Motivation Podcast. Drop your thoughts, questions, or your own bar exam experiences in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!
And if you found this helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for more real stories, practical tips, and motivation to help you crush the bar exam and beyond.
You’ve got this. One step at a time. 🚀
