Overcoming Law School Anxiety

I remember the first few weeks before law school started and being really excited I was finally–finally–starting the last leg of my educational goals. But I also remember feeling lost and confused. I have homework before classes start? But I don’t understand what I’m reading… I’m not supposed to buy used books? But I can’t afford new books… You don’t recommend that I work during school? But I can’t afford my books! It was stress-inducing to say the least.

For many people, the beginning of law school is exciting (and it should be!), but within the first few days, a lot of confusion and anxiety can creep in and turn your excitement to dread. In fact, I could fill this post up with scary stories of people that just couldn’t make it and ended up quitting, but I’m not trying to add to your anxiety.

Instead, I think it’s important to realize that even though you’re excited, prepared, and intelligent enough to get through law school, it’s normal to feel confused about the cases you’re reading (because, hello, this isn’t just a new type of reading, but it’s a new type of thinking); it’s normal to feel anxious about being called on and how you’ll respond. In this case, just remember that your professor is using you as a spring board for a larger picture of a legal theory. Your answer will always lead to a question, so don’t take it personal when it feels like they’re grilling you rather than just accepting your answer. And it’s very normal to feel like you have no time because the reading assignments are immense. You may see the syllabus now and think, “oh 15 pages, no problem,” but you’ll be shocked at how difficult it is to get through it.

This is all to say, again, any apprehension you’re feeling/will feel is normal, but be prepared to to get ahead of it:

One. Give yourself the gift of time. You need to build time for yourself so that you don’t feel constant pressure. What that means is that whether you live with family or on your own, you need to plan your life around your studying/school. You should ensure that you have free time during the week and weekend dedicated to reading. And I recommend you overestimate how much time you really need until you get a hang of reading the materials. In the same vein, give give yourself a pass in how long it will take for you to get into a rhythm because understanding case law is a skill that takes time to learn. Trust: I went from needing to take really detailed notes 1L year to simply making short notes on the side of my text book 3L year. It’s a process. Give yourself time.

Two. Be patient and ask for patience. This is a bigger issue for people that live at home with family or partners. Suddenly, even the weekend isn’t for them. Be upfront with them that you won’t be as available to do even simple tasks–ask them to give you at least a few weeks to get settled before expecting you to help. Aside from family, be patient with yourself. Don’t let the anxiety overwhelm you or diminish your confidence. I remember being at orientation and hearing all the amazing people that were starting with me; so many accomplishments–a Navy veteran, a doctor (!), professional tennis players, about a dozen teach for america alumni–who was I to compete with them? I didn’t know the statistics then–don’t let anything deter you from your goal and don’t let the mental games of law school affect you.

Three. Find calming methods that work for you. Often we spin ourselves into negative and anxious emotions simply by overthinking or by upholding unhealthy habits that keep our stress hormones high. When you find yourself worrying about something try to stop it in its tracks by asking things like “will worrying about the consequences stop this bad thing from happening?” if the answer is no then try to focus on something else. As for habits, try to go to bed on a schedule, drink plenty of water, and don’t spend too much time on social media. There’s also no shame in finding a counselor who can help you to find a calming strategy for yourself.

Four. Ask for support. Friends and family really will rally around you during this time. Starting law school is a difficult endeavor for everyone, but for so many Latinos, it seems like an unattainable goal. So when you actually start, you better believe that everyone is lifting you up because our communities innately know what difference a Latina lawyer will make. Ask your family and friends for help when you need it–even when it seems too hard to ask for help. Even simple things make a difference–take a cue from Fulvia, who told her family to stop telling her she’d pass the bar because it was stressing her out. Ask your supporters for the kind of help you need.

Story time! I almost didn’t have enough money to make my deposit before 1L year started. I didn’t know what to do, so I swallowed my pride and contacted my father. He and I had inconsistent communication for most of my life. I asked him for help, expecting nothing, but hoping for the best because he was literally my last resort. Not only did he surprise me by paying my deposit, but he made it a point to keep helping me financially for my first year, which made my life so much easier for those next months. And the best part is that this re-started my relationship with my dad–no small feat, btw. Don’t be fearful of asking for support because it can change your outcome more than you even know.