If you keep up with my blog, then you’ll have probably realized that I took a couple of weeks off from blogging. I usually blog every Sunday, but part of my de-stressing was to just relax for a couple of weeks because school threw me a huge curve ball. I had four midterms within 2 weeks, a trial brief motion and practicing my motion to suppress oral argument. Law school can be challenging, some days more than others depending on the week. So, what do I do to de-stress?
1. BREATHEÂ
It is so easy to get caught up in all the stuff you have to do that you forget to breathe. There is ALWAYS something you could be doing, but you have to step back, take a breather, and get back on track when you are ready. Also, get some sleep!Â
2. “Treat yo self”
If you all watch Parks and Rec you know exactly what I am talking about. Treat yourself once a week. I treat myself on Fridays because I see it as a reward that I went through another week (sometimes without crying) that was difficult for me. It is honestly like giving yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. This also gives me something to look forward to. I would be studying on Wednesday having a rough day, and then I say “at least on Friday I can treat myself.” This could be whatever you want it to be. One of my mentors told me that she would get her nails done to reward herself at the end of each week. I personally buy a certain food that makes my heart happy. Decide how you want to “treat yo self” and stick to it. It may give you something to look forward to when times are hard.
3. Take the Night OffÂ
This is my way of saying have one night or one day where you do not do ANYTHING that has to deal with law school. I’ve broken this rule 3 times in almost 2 semesters, but I am strict with this rule because it is essential. Law school is important, but so it your health. You need one day or one night just to call loved ones, go out to the movies, or stay in bed and watch Netflix (my favorite). Do something that makes you feel complete happiness because it can be so easy to get lost in the stress.Â
4. TALK TO NON-LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS:Â
This is my second favorite thing to do. This does NOT mean to isolate yourself from your peers rather to sometimes talk to people who won’t mention law school in a conversation. I have often seen that students talk a lot about law school. They will “guess” what the professor is going to put on the exam, they will talk about how one put A for a question and the other person put B for the same question and stress themselves out. It is stressful, but talk to people back home or someone that is not in law school. I call home sometimes just to hear the latest gossip because my brain can only handle so much.
5. WHY Law School
This is actually my favorite one. One of the people who wrote me a letter of recommendation for law school said to send her 3 reasons why I wanted to go to law school. I have been wanting to be an attorney since I was 8. I thought this would be easy, but it was actually hard. I knew why, but couldn’t put it into 3 short reasons. I finally came up with my three reasons. The real takeaway is that I am grateful she told me to do this because I still go back to that list to keep me going. I go to that list when I think that I can’t do this and want to give up. That list is a representation of why I came to law school in the first place. It’s a refresher that all this is temporary to get to my main goal. When times are hard I look to my family, my baby sister who looks up to me for guidance, and the community I am going to help when I obtain my Juris Doctor and pass the bar.
Law school will be tough. There may be times that you question if this is for you, or if you can actually do this. Just know you can and you will! This brings you back to why you started this journey in the first place, or look for new reasons why you want to continue. RELAX! Everything will be okay in time.
Legally Complicated 