Navigating Law School Stress: Mental Health Tips for Future Lawyers

Mental health challenges are common across all degrees, but taking on law offers unique obstacles to overcome: workloads are big, nights can get long, and squeezing in time for the things that make you happy is a real challenge. Nearly 40% of law students experience anxiety or depression during their studies. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way; there are many well-researched tips and tricks that can make all the difference, freeing up time for the things you love and maintaining your motivation to succeed. 

Understanding Where Your Stress Comes From 

To effectively manage stress, you need to have some inclination on where it stems from. Putting your stress down to “the pressure of study” makes sense, but what aspect is really putting pressure on you? Everybody’s situation varies, so if you are unsure where your stress is coming from, consider going through a checklist of common college stressors to see if anything resonates. 

For many, the answer is glaringly obvious: whether you are struggling to pay the bills and working part-time while studying, caring for someone in your life, too busy with after-hours commitments, or whatever else in your life is a little too much.

Burnout and Stress 

These two things are often conflated, so while stress can lead to burnout, it is important to understand how they differ. Burnout is defined as a form of exhaustion stemming from constantly feeling swamped. Symptomatically, burnout often causes individuals to take on a cynical or resentful attitude toward life. It can also lead to feelings of hopelessness, detachment, and apathy. On the other hand, stress causes feelings of anxiety and irritability without a necessarily cynical or apathetic viewpoint. 

Time Management 

Time is likely our most valuable asset, yet it goes so fast. As we have outlined, both stress and burnout stem from your time being crammed full of deadlines, assignments, projects, revisions, and whatever else you have going on. Trying to fit in all the things that keep you ticking over, on top of all of that, is challenging–but not impossible. 

Successful lawyers suggest a few key tips for managing your time well;

1. Schedule 

Okay, you likely have a schedule, but does it follow the latest psychological recommendations?

First off, stop arbitrarily setting times to complete certain tasks; do your best to assess how much brainpower you need to complete each task. For most people, the first three hours of the day are when your brain is at its “peak.” If you have a really challenging essay to write, consider getting straight into it. Leave your marginally important emails for 3:30, post-afternoon dip. 

2. Sleep or Work 

Ditch the all-nighters, or at least only use them as a last resort because the research shows your brain is not learning efficiently. Of course, sometimes they are necessary, but consider finding time for the most mentally challenging tasks during the day and leaving the light reading for the evenings. There is more and more evidence that sleep enhances learning and memory in a few different ways. It prepares the brain for new information and solidifies memories from the previous day so that when you go to the exam in six weeks, information has made it from short to long-term memory centers. 

3. Setting Time For Fun

Some of us will not get a break unless we plan it. If you know, you know. If this is you, schedule time for social activities, even plan time for Netflix, have a reading hour, or do whatever it takes for you to recharge. 

Mindfulness and Relaxation 

Aside from significantly reducing stress and anxiety, research shows that mindfulness and relaxation techniques can enhance overall well-being. These techniques can be simple things like taking five minutes a day to practice some deep breathing techniques or meditating on the weekends; even cathartic tasks like painting, which focuses on the mind can greatly help. So consider adding even a short daily session to your schedule because it can make a notable difference in your mental clarity and emotional resilience. 

Building Support 

Having a strong support network is crucial, especially in the final weeks of the semester when you’re overwhelmed with assignments and exam prep. Having people who understand your situation can make a significant difference. Your friends, who may not fully grasp the workload of a law degree, can still offer valuable support. Reach out to your college friends and support one another through these challenging times.

At the same time, keep your family and friends outside of college informed about what you’re going through, whether it’s your first year of study, master’s, or you are starting an online juris doctor degree. This way, they’ll be better prepared to offer help and understanding when you need it most.

Developing Resilience 

Building resilience is essential to thrive and survive law school and adult life alike. Try your best to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and see obstacles as chances to develop new skills and insights. Practice self-compassion by acknowledging your efforts and treating yourself kindly, especially when things don’t go as planned. Reflect on both your achievements and setbacks to learn and adapt your strategies. Set realistic, achievable goals to maintain motivation and avoid burnout. Seek feedback and support from peers and mentors, and be flexible in your approach, adjusting strategies as needed. By taking note of both your achievements and areas you would like to improve, it will become a habit that lasts a lifetime, plus you’ll enhance your ability to manage stress and succeed in your studies.

Balancing Law and Life

Just like a judge’s ruling, aspiring lawyers and accomplished ones alike must consider the desired outcome when striking a balance between working and, well, everything else. Law is an often intense career, but starting out with the skills to manage it well will have an exponential impact in the long run. 

It doesn’t take a lot, and setting aside time to plan strategies to better manage your time may seem counterproductive, but in the long run, it will pay off.