Law school is a challenge, but mental health is the most important thing to work on before starting law school. The degree attracts a wide range of students, but in my opinion, it attracts a lot of similar personalities. Many students go in with some degree of perfectionism and are very high-achievers. Many students come in with the expectation that they need to kill themselves to meet their own high expectations, as well as those of professors, employers, and even family members. These expectations can be difficult to handle mentally. Law school is difficult, and so is being a lawyer.
Mental health management is crucial for law students and lawyers.
As Bloomberg law explains, depression rates of law students rise from 10% to 27% after just one semester of law school. The legal profession itself is filled with depressed people. Bloomberg law shares the image below in their article:
Even though the statistics are depressing in themselves, I truly believe that you do not have to be part of the statistic. You do not need to sacrifice your mental well-being and sanity for this profession. It is not worth it. You can be a successful lawyer AND live a happy, healthy life.
I am a stereotypical hard-worker and over-achiever myself.
I want to be the best lawyer and version of myself I can! My first year of law school was not glorious and not glamorous. I did not pull all-nighters, and my days were filled with the healthy, yet sometimes boring, routines that I set up for myself from the beginning. Even though I studied hard, I still kept my health in check. I moved away for law school and was often lonely! However, I knew from the beginning that I needed to put my mental, emotional, and physical health first, and you can, too. To me, it is a non-negotiable.
The way my body works, my physical well-being affects my emotional and mental well-being. If that is the case for you, I found that exercising, eating right, and sleeping well made all the difference for me and my stress management during law school. The school’s gym is near the law school, and I walked outside after classes before studying again. I made sure to have a good routine in place before law school.
Decompressing throughout law school is so important.
I make sure to decompress any chance I can get! Take time for yourself each morning after waking and before bedtime. It doesn’t need to be much because you will surely be busy. On the weekends, take time to have fun with friends, family, or just yourself. Some students schedule their weekends where they do not even look at school material for an entire day. Personally, this only worked for me about once a month during my first year, but I did make sure to prioritize at least Friday or Saturday nights for doing something fun. Before law school, make sure to find the ways you like to decompress.
Be careful with going out.
Going out is fun, and you will want to be social during your new adventure! Many law students and lawyers like to drink, socially and alone. Alcohol is great in moderation, but it can often be a detriment to your studies the next day, trust me. Alcohol can also be dangerous if you are using it as a coping mechanism. Have fun and be social, but make sure to check yourself and practice moderation.
Therapy can be extremely helpful.
Most schools also offer ‘free’ therapy sessions for students with their tuition. I recommend that you take advantage of these. It can feel like you are alone and that your friends and family don’t understand. Law students are also competitive, so it may feel isolating. At my school, the law students used the service the most. It can feel embarrassing, but sometimes talking through your feelings with someone that has no ties with you can make a big difference. Before law school, you can also establish a relationship with a therapist in person or online to get ahead of the game.
Start working on your mental health before you start law school.
This battle will be hard to fight, yes. It won’t be easy. Take the time to set yourself up for success NOW, before you start law school. Start working on your routines NOW. Find the things that help you decompress and feel happy. In the long run, though, it will be worth your time and effort. Your future self surely will thank you!
