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Stress seems to go hand-in-hand with law school. But you can take steps to manage the stress that you inevitably experience.
Take control. Plan a realistic schedule for the semester to help you allocate your time. Taking a scheduled day off will help you re-charge your batteries. Taking the same day off because you've collapsed from exhaustion doesn't have the same positive effect.
Strive for life balance. Treat law school as an important fulltime job, but don't neglect the other aspects of your life. Take time for the friends, family, and activities that give your life purpose. Every week, give yourself a day off from your studies.
Take care of yourself. Eat right: if you feel you don't have time, look for take-out options that offer fast healthy food. A full night's sleep is essential. Many studies show that inadequate sleep affects ability to learn, especially long-term memory. Give yourself permission to take a little time each day for things that you enjoy, whether it's a long hot bath, playing with your dog, or reading a good book. When you feel stress coming on, use relaxation techniques to help control it.
Exercise. All things being equal, those in good physical shape fare better in the law school marathon. Not only does exercise relax you physically, it also releases endorphins which help maintain your well-being. Exercise also can give you a mental break. Finally, exercise can help you combat the "1L Ten" -- those pounds that seem to creep up because you're sitting in a chair most of the day. Working out at the Student Recreation Center, taking a wellness class, even walking to school are all good ways of incorporating exercise into your life.
Confront your problems. If you are experiencing high stress, try to identify the root problem and create strategies to solve it (just like you would as a lawyer!). Avoidance won't make your problems go away. Work with others to come up with solutions.
Talk it over. Talk with a trusted friend, mentor, professor, staff member, or counselor.
Keep law school in perspective. In the final analysis, your well-being is far more important than law school. Don't doubt your own worth just because you are in academic or other difficulty.
Other helpful materials on managing stress are available from UI's Work & Life Program, UI's Counseling & Testing Center, and Support4learning.
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Last updated 2007-08-04 |