“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – President Theodore Roosevelt
This message is being sent Tuesday morning because yesterday was President’s Day.
Today and tomorrow, a number of our recent graduates will be taking the February Ohio Bar Exam. I sent them the below message last week.
I want to send you this personal message of encouragement and support.
To some, the bar exam is a barrier to entry to the legal profession, but I prefer to see it as a gateway.
As Randy Pauch, author of The Last Lecture, wrote, “The brick walls are there for a reason...they are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."
Each of you has earned the privilege of taking the Bar Exam. Our graduates who pass have one thing on common regardless of how well they did in law school - they took it very seriously and studied as hard - actually harder - than anytime they were law students.
I never say “good luck” because this isn’t about luck. It’s all about attitude, effort, and enough sleep the night before!
I’m not telling you it is going to be easy. I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.
I’ve taken the liberty of writing the following for you.
Serenity Prayer for CSU|LAW Bar Takers
God grant me the serenity to accept that I have prepared the best I can.
The courage to change from studying details to preparing my mind and body to breath, stay calm, and focus.
And the wisdom to know that exams don’t test my knowledge as much as they test my state of mind.
Taking each question one at a time.
Focusing on the moment, parking my worries and fears at the door, and visualizing success.
Accepting that the harder I want something, the greater I’ll feel when I achieve it.
Taking the bar exam as it is, not how I or others would have written it.
Trusting in my skills and surrendering to an unshakeable belief in myself.
Supremely happy that I am about to transition from learning law to living justice.
Amen.
My best,
Lee
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay Committed to Living Justice.
Have a great day. Have a great week.
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages.
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My best,
Lee
Lee Fisher
Dean, Cleveland State University College of Law
Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler Chair in Law
1801 Euclid Avenue, LB 138 |Cleveland, Ohio 44115 -2214
216-386-8688 | lee.fishernull@csuohio.nulledu