Have you heard that law school is stressful? Making the jump from college to law school is very difficult. Most of us entering law school are accustomed to being the most ambitious student in the room and seated comfortably at the top of our class. On the first day of law school, we see that our fellow classmates are just as capable and driven as we are. This initial shock can elicit feelings of self-doubt and ineptitude. It can also manifest in hyper-competitive, cutthroat mannerisms. Both of these avenues are dangerous. Try to turn any internalized or externalized insecurities into an appreciation that you are where you are supposed to be. To properly grow and achieve, you should be challenged by those around you.
All of this being said, your mind can’t be in law school all of the time. You need an escape valve. Especially for those that went straight through from college to law school, it can be hard to find a non-school related hobby. The better part of your senior year was spent preparing for the LSAT, possibly at an internship and attending classes. If you had any free time, you had friends living in the same dorm to immediately meet up with. When you get to law school, you are in a new environment with higher stakes and different people. You will need to figure out what you enjoy independent of the group you safely tethered yourself to for the last four years. Here are some ideas:
Read: I know, you are probably thinking, I already read so much in law school, my eyes are going to fall out of my head if I pick up another book. Try reading fiction. I find reading more relaxing than TV because reading requires more of a singular focus. When I watch TV, my mind wanders and I reach for my phone to scroll through social media. Reading fully envelopes me into a world where the billable hour no longer exists. Additionally, throughout law school and as an associate, I have been prone to stress eating. I find that while watching TV, I am more likely to mindlessly snack than when curled up with a book. You are also probably thinking, I cannot afford to buy books for pleasure. As a law student, I couldn’t either. Get a library card for your local public library or for the undergraduate library at your law school. For those who enjoy e-readers, apps like Libby are also great resources to get the hottest titles for free.
Walk. I have always gotten bad shin splints so besides a brief cross-country stint in middle school, walking has been my preferred method of outdoor exercise. I plug in my earphones and listen to music as I walk along the Hudson River. Others enjoy podcasts, pick your poison! Walking is great exercise and most importantly, it provides perspective and the chance to get out of my own head for a while. Walking won’t fix all of your problems but it will leave you better equipped to face them when you return with a cleared head.
Cook. Admittedly, I am a bit of a hypocrite for this pointer because my boyfriend does most of the cooking now that I am a BigLaw associate. However, while in law school, I enjoyed preparing 2-3 healthy meals in advance for the week. Having cheap, easy and healthy meals stowed away gave me a sense of order and ensured that I was giving my body the fuel it needed. Meal prepping also saves money. In New York City, takeout is usually about $30 minimum. One of my favorite meals was chicken sausage, onions and peppers.
Commentaires