The pressures of law school are seemingly endless. (Sorry, 1Ls, did I get off on the wrong foot here?) While that may seem like a less than comforting statement, particularly for the newer folks who may be reading this, I have chosen to write honestly rather than in a grandiose, preachy or pseudo-soothing manner that makes you want to shut me up before we even get to the good stuff. I trust that this is in your best interest, simply because I wish someone had given it to me straight at about this time, one year ago. I won’t go so far as to call this a survival guide for the first year of law school, but these five things should at least help to soothe your broken soul when that endless pressure starts to dig in.
Source: positivedoodles.tumblr.com
1. Get a Cuddle Buddy.
I know. Again, I seem to have gone straight for the slightly-uncomfortably-obvious. I know you don’t want to admit it, but you are totally thinking about it right now. Cuddles would be good right now, right? Right.
For those of you with a loving partner or significant other of some kind, this first item might have itself taken care of. In that case, let this serve as a reminder to get some snuggle-time in.
Otherwise, for the un-partnered folks, it helps to hug. I could provide some peer-reviewed sources on scientific studies that show hugging helps to de-stress but let’s just cut to the chase here. For a large portion of us, human contact is good (unless, for some reason, it is uncomfortable). When you have a willing friend hanging around, give each other a hug. I promise I won’t tell anyone if you even forget about Contracts for five seconds.
2. Know That It’s Okay to Have a Crutch.
Most of us have come from a background that entailed an undergraduate degree. I am sure that most of us are also aware that our stress levels are probably quite a bit higher in law school and our time to cut loose has significantly decreased. During your undergraduate degree, you probably spent time doing things you were interested in, making new friends and even partying a little. Now, all of a sudden, it’s hard to find the time to fit in the gym – let alone a night out.
I had a few crutches during 1L and I do not regret a single one of them. Most of the time it was pizza or a cheeseburger, but sometimes it was a glass of wine. Permit yourself the indulgence of both a study break and something special for yourself. Sometimes, a glass of wine with some friends (maybe even some you had before law school) does the job a little better. And that’s okay. Not everyone has the patience for yoga, the desire to sit in a candle-lit bubble bath or the energy to start a new work-out regimen. Everything in moderation. Just remember to check yourself.
3. Stop Killing Yourself Trying to Read Every Word.
I am no expert on how to beat the curve of a 1L class. I suspect no one is, given the variety of professors, students and writing styles in each section. Please do not take this as advice not to read the assigned readings.
The point I would like to make, however, is that (shockingly) not every footnote in any given casebook is of exam-like importance to your notes. When it’s past midnight on a Saturday night and you still have your eyelids pressed open with your fingertips trying to absorb something out of a Torts textbook, the battle has already been lost. If you allow the trend to continue, you will slowly get less and less sleep and eventually lose the required energy to keep up with the material at all.
If you have rapid reading comprehension and are able to take short but effective notes, this may not apply to you. If, however, you are feeling bogged down, take a minute to re-evaluate where you stand with the material. It’s usually more important that you understand last week’s topic than to dive headfirst into the readings for the next topic and find yourself struggling to absorb it all.
4. Leave the Worry About the Job Search As Late As You Can.
By no means am I suggesting you shouldn’t research firms that have caught your eye, apply for various 1L recruitments or attend networking events. Most 1Ls are eager to do all of these things, regardless of any advice I write here anyway.
The emphasis should be placed on the word “worry,” here. Constant questions about 1L recruitment, tricks for interviews with various Bay Street firms supposedly traded from upper years, whispers about “winning” summaries, the importance of grades for securing a summer job and the fascination with OCIs from the moment 1Ls grace the threshold of the Ignat Kaneff Building can truly become a wear on your spirit. Suddenly, you start picturing all of those footnotes at the bottom of your textbook’s pages as holding the secrets to a 1L Bay Street job, or an articling position at your dream firm.
While this may seem easier said than done, check yourself on those worries. It is far more likely than not (indeed, a balance of probabilities) that you will be just fine, regardless of the path you choose. Something will work itself out. It helps to remind yourself that you would have been okay if you hadn’t come to law school. At worst, when you leave here, you have a reputable accomplishment and an asset under your belt.
5. Put Yourself First.
Maintaining a clear headspace and a functioning brain to tackle the work load you’ve stacked up for yourself is vital. As a result, anything that threatens those things (and, by proxy, your mental health and well-being) does not have to be present in your life. Walk away from conversations that make you feel stressed or anxious. Don’t change or cancel your plans based on what others are doing with their time. Make decisions that make you feel comfortable rather than to ensure you stack up to the competition. You are the best asset you have, and you would do well to take care of it.