Getting Through Law School When You’re Feeling Low

As is the way of life, we all have moments when simple tasks become a little more difficult to complete, when no amount of sleep can fix our exhaustion, and we just feel a little low. And yet, for the most part, lectures don’t stop, and assessment deadlines keep catching up. So, what do we do? How do we get through?

This is a question I seem to ask myself each semester, and every time, I swear I feel closer and closer to failing my units. I’m no expert in mental health, so by no means should you take any of this as professional advice, however there are some strategies I’ve developed over my time at university that I hope can provide some guidance or suggestions for when you might share some of the same challenges.

Between the imposter syndrome, the pressure to get a foot into the legal industry, the stress from university coursework and life’s normal ups and downs (that just so coincidentally seem to dip when we are the most stressed), we’re all bound to have points when our mental health declines. So, I’ve put together a couple suggestions for what seems to help me continue to be somewhat productive, even when I’m not doing so well mentally.

Make a list

Perhaps I just like the illusion of feeling organised, but the first thing I do whenever I feel wholly overwhelmed, is make a list of all the tasks I have to do. Regardless of how small they may seem, just write them down (and be specific! Instead of ‘Property Law lectures’, specify ‘week four, lecture two, week five lectures one and two, ect). Our heads love to overcomplicate things and make them feel so much bigger than they are, so writing them down tends to be an effective step towards simplifying the problem.

I like to structure my list in order of urgency and take note of which tasks are more time consuming, and which can be completed quickly.

Look to the problem

No matter how hard you push, you’re ultimately not going to achieve your best work or be productive unless you address the source of the problem. (Trust me I’ve learnt this the hard way).

Let’s be frank, we need to be practical. So, if you’re feeling completely burnt out and exhausted, but you have an essay due in a day and it’s too late to apply for an extension, it’s probably not practical to take a full day break. 

However, you’re honestly better off stepping away from your work for an hour or so, and giving yourself time to breathe, rather than forcing yourself to keep writing.

I find this is particularly useful for those moments when you’re feeling quite low. Trying to sit at your desk and hold back tears while forcing yourself to absorb a lecture won’t gain you anything. Yes, it’s another task ticked off the checklist for tomorrow, but you probably haven’t absorbed anything and feel so much more behind, so much more out of place and just so much worse overall.

It’s taken me a long time to accept this, but on days like this, so long as nothing on my list is due within the next few hours, I’ll take a step back from my work and do something that brings me comfort. I’ll lie in my bed with my dog and watch something, and try not to give any thought to all the uni work I have to do. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to feel bright and bubbly the next day and ready to complete everything I’ve fallen behind on, but I’ll certainly feel a bit calmer and more motivated to get something done to a better standard than I would have before (and it’ll be a much less painful experience too).

One problem at a time…with accommodations if needed

Recall that to-do list I mentioned before? It’s quite important here. Ideally, you’d want to get your most urgent tasks out of the way first. Perhaps do a shorter task first to get the ball rolling, then a lengthier one, and so on.

However, sometimes when the head just isn’t ~head-ing~, I’ll find the task that seems most appealing (of the options). Maybe I’m too sad to watch some contract lectures, but labelling the anatomy of the gastrointestinal system doesn’t sound too bad (perks of a double degree ;)). Or maybe I can summarise some contract notes and make them look a little pretty. Sure, these might not be the most productive tasks, but they might get me a bit further out of the slump I seem to be stuck in.

Another problem I sometimes face is feeling horribly disheartened sitting at my desk or in the library at uni – sometimes it’s just too hard to pretend to be studious when you feel terrible. So, it’s not going to kill you if you lie on your bed and watch your lectures under some cosy blankets or throw on some pyjamas and make a warm drink (really showing my winter bias here). Of course, you will be more productive sitting at your desk or in a designated ‘study’ spot, however we can make these exceptions when our mental health is a bit low. Because in these times, your goal should be making the most out of the situation you’re in, right now, not what would be optimal when things are going perfectly.

So, my point is, it’s okay to not do things perfectly, and make little accommodations for yourself, so you feel a bit better about completing these tasks that have been eating you up for so long.

Reach out to supports

You’ve probably heard this a thousand times before, and it really is easier said than done. But it is okay to rely on the people around you. Talk to your family and friends, reach out for professional help if you feel you might need it. You don’t need a big reason; uni can get so stressful and it’s okay to feel affected by it. Most people do, it’s just a taboo topic within law school (hence the reason this group was formed!).

And reach out to your peers. If you’ve missed a class, see if you can get the key points from someone in your class. Talk to them about the areas you’re struggling with. I know there might be a fear that they won’t want to help you, but you might as well try. And most of the time, your peers will understand where you’re coming from. We’re all in the same boat, we all experience the pressures of law school, and it’s okay to not have it all together every day throughout semester. Take advantage of consultation hours with your tutors and utilise online resources! The internet is a magical thing ~

Don’t let your life just be university

Another ‘easier said than done,’ and something I certainly don’t always follow either. But I do believe it’s incredibly important to do things alongside university that you genuinely find fulfilment in. You may love your degree, but sometimes it will feel difficult to get through, and I think it’s crucial to have something else you can look forward to during the long days. Whether that be social outings with friends, catching up for coffee between classes, planning a trip over the holidays to look forward to, or if you’re more like me (incredibly introverted), then schedule time consistently for hobbies you enjoy.

However, I find it difficult to make the most of that ‘break’ time during semester – either feeling guilty the whole time or too exhausted to do anything that I enjoy. So, my strategy for that is ~volunteering~. It forces me to leave the house every week for a certain amount of time, and makes me do something I genuinely find fulfilment in. I find a lot of peace with animals, so even when I have so much uni work crushing down on me, I still have an obligation each week to walk the dogs at RSPCA, and every time I’m there, I feel much more fulfilled, and rejuvenated once I leave. And I promise my work ends up being better quality because of it.

Law school is a journey, not a race. It’s okay to take things slow, and to take it easy on yourself. You’re not a failure if you feel overwhelmed or have moments when you hate your degree, or don’t do so well in an assessment - it just makes you human. 

You’ll have that law degree hanging on your wall before you know it, just take it step by step :)

If you are struggling or feel you may need further help, please see our Resources page for more contacts.  

Written by Angela Cremona