Tag: #LawSchoolStress

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Daily Dose

Life After The Bar Exam, But Before Results

Passing the time while waiting for bar results is pretty damn miserable. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about MBE questions or the amount of time I put into the prep this summer (…and fall, and what felt like forever this bar season). Since my mind clearly needs to be occupied, I compiled a list that works to pass the time.

1. Binge-Watch A New(ish) Show

I resolved that I would not start any new shows while studying for the Bar exam. And then, quickly amended such resolution when my husband dragged me waist-deep into the first season of Yellowstone.

Aside from this one show — which we finished weeks before the Bar — I didn’t venture off on the search for new content. Rather, I took breaks by watching segments of movies or shows I’d seen many times over: Harry Potter, The Martian, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, Mission Impossible Saga, A Discovery of Witches, and so many other favorites. I took the time to relax my mind after 10-hour study days and I think my productivity during those long stretches of concept review was re-invigorated.

Now that the exam is behind us, I highly recommend taking in all the down time you can. There’s not much point in dwelling on the results, because that will just make you feel like you’re spiraling. We’ve got almost 2 months to go for those results here in Texas, friend. Don’t do that to yourself. Enjoy this time to re-group, re-center, and re-focus your energy into something that makes you happy.

Happiness, in October, for me means lots and lots of Halloween Movies. I’m a HUGE fan of fall movie lists and have compiled several of my favorites. Over the years, October became the start of all my favorite holiday traditions. From decorating to snuggling on the couch with tea and crumpets, this season is sure to be made all the better with shows and movies I’ve been so excited to see.

If you need some help choosing, I highly recommend these to start:

  • Enola Homes, Netflix
  • Blacklist, Netflix
  • Halloweentown Trilogy, DisneyPlus
  • Hocus Pocus, Netflix
  • Little Fires Everywhere, Hulu
  • The Bold Type, Hulu

2. Learn to Craft

I find it difficult to keep still for too long, unless I’m reading – in which case my mind entertains itself with building up worlds and characters so, I guess my first thought here stands true.

As I prefer to keep busy, over the years I picked up a variety of hobbies that I tend to cycle through when I find myself “bored” or unsure of how to spnd my time.

Some of these pursuits tend to be athletic – like training for a half marathon, or grabbing a volleyball and the hubs for a quick set. But for times like these, where my mind wants to keep falling back to essays and questions that I found particularly difficult, I think it best to focus my pursuits on arts and crafts. Personally, the focus and energy required to master an art (or even attempt to be decent at it) is cumbersome. That said, art tends to melt everything away. I can lose myself in painting, embroidering, lettering, or scrapbooking.

Any of these options are excellent for both occupying your time and utilizing your entire focus ability. Plus, you get something gorgeous as an end-result!

3. Find a Book Club

One thing I always wanted to do was take part in a book club. Staying mentally stimulated is, in my opinion, difficult to do if you don’t make the time to converse with others.

In late February, a small group of friends and I began a book club; meeting roughly every six weeks to discuss our chosen piece of literature. We’ve read a variety of genres and take turns choosing books. It’s been so much fun and, truly, a great way to catch up with friends.

Make the whole event extra fun and setup each club meeting as a themed experience — the drinks, food, decorations, or desserts. Enjoy the time with your excellent company!

4. Hone Your Culinary Skills

For those of you that want to practice your brulée skills, or maybe take the time to prep for Thanksgiving, there’s no better time than now!

All this waiting means my friends and family benefit from the stress-baked sweets and homemade tortillas. Throw in the fall weather and my need to bust out soup and stew recipes? Gosh! The stove over at our place has seen quite a bit of action lately.

5. Gear Up for A Virtual Race

Sure, I get it – you’ve been in yoga pants or gym shorts for the better part of this year while dealing with the changing exam dates and the stress of over-eating and fewer workouts – but right now is the PERFECT time to focus on your health. Why not set yourself up for a couch-to-5k?

Admittedly, I’ve had a difficult time getting back into the swing of my workouts. The start and stop of bar prep definitely did not help. But, here we are again — with just the perfect time to get back on the #WorkoutWagon. Why not get back into the saddle, or get started for the first time?

It’s really better to release this stress and tension rather than keep it all bottled up. So, figure out what works for you…rowing, running, walking, swimming — do whatever makes you happy and get moving!

6. Visit Local Landmarks

Living in your city does not mean — I’ve learned — enjoying all the beautiful and quirky aspects of that locale. In Dallas, there are so many not-so-hidden gems that I’d been yearning to visit. During my study breaks, I took the time to enjoy a few of them. I highly recommend you do the same. Visit a new park, savor new flavors by picking up a meal and supporting your local eateries, or drive through a new coffee shop and clear that head of any RAP or Civil Procedure deadline rules. It’s imperative you take the time to re-center yourself. The effort you put into studying (and parenting/working/budgeting/life) these last 5 months has been brutal. You need the break. Take it.

If you need some inspiration in Dallas, follow me over at @cerebellumchef on Instagram. There’s plenty of ideas for art exhibits, chocolate runs, bakery finds, and hidden gems in the city.

7. Visit Your Friends & Family

I’m a HUGE fan of brunch. I can eat breakfast for pretty much any meal and love hosting at our home. That said, after weeks of studying at my own kitchen table, I fancied seeing other family and friends…as well as being taken care of for a change. Too much efort goes into planning, so this is the time to relax as much as possible and relish your family and friends.

I’ve enjoyed Halloween cookouts and am looking forward to our yearly “Friendsgiving.” Some days I feel like I’ve crammed so much into each minute that I just might not have time to spare a second on those exam questions constantly buzzing in the background of my headspace.

8. Organize Your Space

I walked into my house after Day 2 of the Bar Exam and saw it clearly for the first time in ages. Sure, everything was “put away” and clean [save for a basket of gym clothes and sweats that needed to be washed], but there was so much disorder that I felt completely overwhelmed.

I took to Pinterest and discovered these excellent ideas to both save space and provide order to the chaos. I mean, batteries and medicines need their own space – right?

Now that everything is in order, I feel infinitely better! Maybe a little order to this chaos of emotions is just the ticket, eh?

9. Pack Your Bags & GO!

Right now may not feel like the *best* time to travel, but I think getting away for a weekend trip to the lake in a secluded cabin, or a quick trip to enjoy the mountains may be exactly what you need. Take a few friends, or go solo; the time away from your study space (especially if you spent the last 4 months studying at home) will do you wonders — trust me.

May the time pass quickly and results be in our favor!

Categories
Advice Daily Dose

Stress & Bar Prep

We’re about four weeks into BarPrep. Are you kinda-sorta-totally losing your mind already? You’re not the only one. Honestly, I’d be more concerned for you if you lacked panic and fatigue in your daily routine. Studying for as long and as hard as we do, it makes complete sense that you’re a frazzled ball of nerves. I am, too. It’s okay. You will be alright and you’re not going through this alone. I promise.

At the start of bar prep, I found myself dazing out for several minutes at a time listening to lectures but not actually hearing the information. During these times, I realized the need to go back and rewind to collect my thoughts and my notes. It frustrated me so much. I think it was a combination of forcing myself to listen to a recorded lecture, which never worked for me as an undergrad or graduate student. So, why the hell did I think it would work now?

Instead of grinding out the lecture time, I reached out to a professor who suggested I toss the video lectures and only read through the outlines. She also encouraged shorter reading sessions followed by a necessary break. It seemed entirely wrong, but I tried it. In having done this for a week, I can say that this version of my studies experienced a positive effect. My MBE practice scores are in a good to better range and I am on track. I was feeling off-kilter and am thrilled to settle on a studying approach that works! If the method your bar prep program suggests doesn’t work for you, don’t be afraid to change it up. Work with your learning style and their tools!

Between studying, the breaks are crucial. My friend Dax (who already aced the Bar in February) keeps posting kind, motivating words on our class facebook page. It’s incredibly thoughtful to hear from a friend, as well as have the reminder that “hey, there’s life after the bar exam.” It may seem silly, but those words – offering peace and a gentle reminder to step away from the books – are wonderful. Do what you can to take a break and give your mind some ease.

I took time off for a [much-needed] three-day weekend with some of my best friends. We plan an annual Girls’ Weekend and, holy cow, was I desperately in need of seeing these phenomenal ladies!

We visited Colorado Springs, went hiking, and talked about everything under the sun. I let go of so many thoughts I’d put energy into. I took deep, steadying breaths atop amazing cliffs and enjoyed deep-belly laughs with members of my support system.

You must deal with your stress. Figure out a way to get rid of it so you can focus the entirety of your energy on preparing for this exam. You’ll feel rested and ready to tackle the next subject when you’re not filling your mind with other stressors and situations you have no control over. You can control the effort you put into preparing for the exam, so get it done!

Here’s hoping you have an excellent study week!

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

My Brain in Law School

I could not think of anything funnier today than sharing my law school thoughts in Sandra Oh medium.

Can I just…hide from adulting today?

At this point in my 3L year, I basically take turns dragging/being dragged across the finish line for various deadlines. We’re going to graduate, but it’s been a helluva ride so far. I’m tired. You’re tired. Our friends and family keep saying we look ragged. [Thanks, y’all.] It’s been a rough go, but we are almost there! With midterms next week, and this outrageous Texas weather, I’m about damn ready to raise the flag.

Keep pushing.

Every day is a struggle. I’ve put myself through nearly a decade of college and graduate school courses to attain this law degree. The Hydra in my life is both light and dark. The volume of deadlines is practically suffocating, but I feed off the drive and direction those deadlines afford. It’s a weird place to stand, I know. I figure attorney’s deadlines never cease, so best get comfortable with them now.

Every upper-classmen when they see super shiny 1Ls

We get it. We too were once annoyingly happy and not-so-jaded. That’s all different now. We’ve seen things. The late nights, the jail calls, client interactions, and the real world application has us all feeling a little less superhero and a lot more cynical.

The number of exams, quizzes, case briefs, research and writing segments, and mandatory attendance also kind of beat the hell out of us. Sorry for being crabby. You’re our future colleagues. We want you to succeed, but can you just not throw parties in the library study rooms? That’d be great. Thanks.

Post-Bar Jobs, y’all.

This is still the funniest thing to me. Several people I know refuse to speak about post-bar plans. My dream job is split between becoming a law clerk for a federal judge and working for the Federal Public Defender’s Office. These applications are now submitted and I’m playing the waiting game.

I don’t keep these facts a secret. Why? Because I want my colleagues to think of me if they hear about a vacant position! I have to keep job hunting until I land one! It’s prudent planning.

I frequently let other attorneys know about great colleagues who would fit in at their firms. There’s no harm in helping someone else with a leg-up.
Be kind, people.

Pretty much the feeling I get when my thesis advisor meets with me. She’s epic and I never feel worthy enough to be in her presence. #RoleModel
Everything about her is brilliant. How did I get so damn lucky with these amazing mentors?

The little inconveniences grind me much more as of late. Hand dryers not working. Highlighters dying. Dishes not being put in the dishwasher. I actually had to jump in front of the automatic doors this week to get into my office building. -.- Everyone has these kinds of days. Despite me fuming about them now, I recognize, they too, shall pass.

Yesterday was an incredibly hectic day. I completed an MPT (more on how to ace these, later) and met with my writing professor. Next came my meeting with my thesis advisor…where I had to explain that I basically undid my own research. No joke. My research led me down a rabbit hole, where I discovered the “legal” issue I thought I was researching was actually not an issue at all. Time wasted. Feeling vexed. Then I met with another professor because I’m worried about wrapping my head around commercial law. All of these tasks were completed before 1pm. The day was intense, followed by a series of classes and more notes, more questions, more resentment for these four walls and the seemingly endless hurdles still left to jump through before graduation…

Carbs + Good Convo = Happy Sarah

All these things are running around in my head and I felt you needed to know you are not alone. Even though everything feels like it’s on fire, with no fire hydrant in sight, there is a finish line. Treat yourself to a meal out. Have a drink – or two. Take the mental break you need and sit at olive garden with a group of friends for hours, gorging yourself on breadsticks and peach tea. Do whatever you must to get yourself back to center. This is the middle of the semester and you’re draaaaaaagging – I get it. We all do. Let’s talk it through and get back in the race.

When all else fails – DANCE IT OUT. I regularly dance – in the aisles at Target, on my way into the gym, in the kitchen while prepping dinner. I dance everywhere. A little shimmy is good for the soul. Trust me.

I hope your semester is going splendidly. If not, there’s still time to turn it around. If you’re struggling, reach out to a professor, friend, or counselor. Go out there and give law school everything you’ve got!