Ep 026 - Zaniya Lewis
FROM CRUSHING DEFEAT TO 160+ ESSAY SCORE: How Zaniya Finally Passed the Bar Exam! (Ep. 026)
Imagine doing everything right—the endless multiple-choice questions, the grueling essays, isolating yourself from friends—only to find out you didn't pass. Again.
In this incredibly raw and inspiring episode of the Bar Study Motivation Podcast, San sits down with Rutgers Law Alum Zaniya Lewis to discuss her ultimate triumph over the bar exam after four attempts. If you are a repeat taker, a full-time worker juggling a heavy commute, or someone feeling defeated by standard bar prep courses, this interview is the exact blueprint and mindset shift you need to watch.
Zaniya opens up about her lowest moments—including taking a half-day off work just to cry on her kitchen floor—and how she completely transformed her study habits to skyrocket her essay writing score by over 30 points (yielding a massive 158.6 / 160 score!).
We dive deep into why standard "big box" bar preps like Themis failed her, why outlining essays is a trap, and how the "reps and drilling" method gave her the ultimate confidence to actually smile during the exam.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:
The "Big Box" Bar Prep Trap: Why Zaniya switched from traditional courses after two failed attempts.
The Power of Unlimited Grading: How getting her essays completely ripped apart by Bar Exam Drills led to a 30+ point score increase.
Studying While Working Full-Time: Managing a grueling 4-hour daily train commute while getting 25–30 questions and an essay done every single day.
Why Outlining is Harming Your Score: Why typing out full essays under time constraints is non-negotiable for success.
Manifestation + Hard Work: Zaniya’s secrets to keeping a positive mindset, incorporating life/family back into bar prep, and putting in the grueling "reps."
The Walmart Celebration: The exact moment Zaniya found out she passed and her mom dropped to her knees in the middle of a store.
TIMESTAMP CHAPTERS:
0:00 – Intro & A wholesome side story about Sam's daughter
01:45 – Zaniya’s background: From GW to Rutgers Law
03:20 – The turning point: Finding Bar Exam Drills for the MPRE & Bar
04:50 – Handling the devastation of a 3rd attempt failure
07:15 – The secret to increasing essays by 30+ points (The Deep I-RAC Analysis)
09:40 – Overcoming the 4-hour work commute & avoiding burnout
11:30 – Dealing with the long New Jersey results waiting game
13:15 – THE RESULTS PORTAL: "Congratulations" & Dropping to knees in Walmart
16:45 – Celebrating at Hibachi & Using the "Esquire Ticket" to change the world
19:00 – Crucial advice for repeat bar exam takers
21:10 – Why you need to write out full essays instead of just outlining
23:35 – The sports mechanics of bar prep: Putting in the reps
25:10 – Zaniya joins the team to give back! Outro
ABOUT THE PODCAST
The Bar Study Motivation Podcast is dedicated to tearing down traditional, overpriced bar prep systems that don't work and replacing them with data-driven, high-reps drilling systems that actually get results. We focus on the mind, body, soul, and grueling mechanics required to pass the bar exam.
Want to get in touch with Zaniya? Drop a comment below or reach out to her via her official Bar Exam Drills email if you want to learn more about her unconventional journey, her non-profit work, or how she survived the grind!
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