Law School is a
different creature then undergraduate or any other type of education you may
have received; it takes time, tactic, and working smart to learn the vast
amounts of material while keeping a level head and getting to the final
exam. You may be just getting your
schedule, looking at first assignments, and saying to yourself “how am I going
to ever make time for myself?”
The truth is, it’s
difficult to make time for yourself while in Law School, especially when you
don’t know how to study or what is important (hint, it’s all important, but
prioritization is key). With all this
reading, little understanding on what you’re reading, and a schedule that keeps
you at the school for eight hours, you may think that living at the school and
sustaining on pizza and fast food is the best idea…unfortunately, from
experience, this lifestyle doesn’t work long-term and the exhaustion eventually
catches up to you, turning into stress, then into anxiety causing your studying
and general well-being to suffer. While
it seems impossible to make a balance, it’s key to survival and your overall
success to law school.
1. Create
a Schedule…and Stick to it. I know, it’s difficult, especially when
you’re starting 1L and have no clue what to expect, but scheduling your sleep,
exercise, studying, and class preparation can help you to find some balance. It’s also important to schedule some
“me-time” and to find some time to do things you enjoy, if only just once a
week.
2. Pick
a daily cut-off time for studying and homework.
You may have been
able to pull an all-nighter in undergraduate (I never pulled them, but I
remember many of my friends sitting in the commons from sun-down to sun-up),
but in Law School, there’s nothing worse then being exhausted from studying,
then getting cold-called on by a professor.
Set a daily cut-off time for studying.
For example, if your studying cut-off is 7:00 PM, stick to it. After 7, you stop all studying, law-school
related stuff, and take some time for you to rest, go to the gym, etc. You’ll thank yourself ultimately for taking
this time and giving yourself the ability to relax…if only just slightly.
3. Relax…its
just Law School. I know this is easier said then done, but
freaking out will lead to nothing but difficulties and may ultimately harm you
rather then help you. I remember
freaking out to a friend who was getting ready to graduate, and he told me a
professor told him to “relax, its just Law School.” I almost laughed when he told me this, but
it’s true. You’re taking on a mentally
and intellectually challenging feat that many choose not to do because it’s so
difficult, so try to relax, you’ll reach your goals ultimately…but only if you
relax and do not overthink.
These
things I have mentioned take time, but mastering Law School takes time, it’s
about learning your method, and lots of trial and error to get to that ultimate
goal of earning the coveted J.D. and passing the bar exam. If you’re not taking the time for yourself
and working on a schedule, this trial and error can prove much more difficult. Keep pushing, asking questions, and when in
doubt, remember “its just law school.”
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