Volunteer to run any errands or pick up any food that the student might need. The final weeks before sitting for the bar exam are critical for many students, and the time spent running to the grocery store, going to the post office or picking up laundry is better spent preparing for the exam. Offer to help with any day-to-day tasks that have fallen by the wayside; you will help the student succeed by giving him a more organized, healthier study environment. Frozen meals are particularly appreciated, as they eliminate the need for shopping for food, cooking and cleaning the kitchen after meal. A stack of frozen entrees may be a most welcome and helpful gift. A trip to a local laundry service is also appreciated, especially if you are willing to pick up and drop off clothes that need cleaning.
Give the student plenty of space and time to study. The bar exam is likely one of the most important tests the student will ever take, as it qualifies her to practice law. Be patient and understanding that many, if not all, social commitments will take a backseat to preparing for this exam. Do not harass the student if she cannot join you for a drink, and do not get offended if she forgets a birthday or forgoes attending a celebration. It is not a reflection on your importance, but rather the importance of this examination to the student's future. Be prepared for the stress and anxiety of the bar exam to continue after the test is complete; the wait for the results can be as nerve-racking as the test itself.
Create a space where the student can study free of distractions. Check in with him before he begins to study to assess whether or not he has enough pencils, pens, paper and other study materials. Offer to run out for more supplies should he need them. Keep noise to a minimum, including the running of appliances and the sound of the television. Use the student's study time as your time out of the house to minimize the chance that you might step on each other's toes. When it's time for a break, steer the student toward easy-going entertainments that give him a mental break, but are not so absorbing that they will distract the student from his work when he resumes studying. A round of miniature golf, a mindless comic movie and a game night with friends are activities that give the student the break he needs without stealing valuable concentration once the activities are completed.