Combating Social Anxiety as a Law student

It’s no secret that when you decide to pursue a career in law, you have to be prepared for late night cram sessions, piles of readings and crippling imposter syndrome. However, for some students, the biggest challenge to overcome is the public speaking and the importance of networking. 

Whether it’s speaking in a moot or participating in a networking night, it’s not easy to overcome the nagging feeling that everyone in the room is judging every word you say. Law is a highly competitive industry that requires a lot of networking to stand out from the crowd. It is often presumed that law students are brazen and great at public speaking – after all, that’s what’s required when you advocate for your client in court. 

However, social anxiety in law students is more common than we think. Social anxiety or phobia is an intense fear of embarrassment in front of a group of people. It is not to be oversimplified, and advice to “just talk more!” won’t make it magically disappear. It is more than just shyness or introversion, even though some traits are similar. 

Some common signs that you may have social anxiety are:

• Intense worry and dread before an upcoming social event

• Fear of being watched or observed by strangers

• Extreme fear and presumption of embarrassment 

• Abnormal level of self-consciousness in everyday situations

Social anxiety can be a serious detriment to law students’ educational and career outcomes as it causes difficulty in engagement with professors, peers, and industry professionals. It’s crucial law students with social anxiety take measures to combat this issue, to ensure a less stressful and rewarding career. 

If you are worried that you will not be successful as an introvert or a socially anxious person, do not fret. In fact, research shows that  quieter personalities or those with social anxiety have a more nuanced perspective on legal issues than their louder counterparts. Individuals with quieter personalities also tend to be more empathetic, a characteristic greatly valued in law. 

The problem is that the knowledge and wisdom of such people cannot be appreciated if they are not heard. So, if you are looking to ease out of that state of constant fear and unease around groups of people, here are some tips to get you out of your shell.

1) Blank out your mind

This may sound odd, but diving into social activities quickly without giving yourself a chance to worry about what could go wrong is not as difficult as it sounds. Next time you have to enter a room full of people, blast some music in your headphones and do not stop walking. Do not give yourself an opportunity to rethink or predict possible disasters that could occur. 

2) Start small

If joining moots and speaking in front of large audiences is too much for you, try engaging in discussions with your table group in class. Get yourself out of your comfort zone and speak to at least one person on your table that makes you feel comfortable. 

3) Try digital

If you are too nervous to raise your hand in Front of the class to ask your professor a question, do not be disheartened and give up. Find your professor’s email and ask your question online. If you feel more confident, arrange a one-on-one meeting with your professor so you can discuss concepts with them in person without an audience. 

4) Practice in front of friends and family

Do you have a big presentation coming up? Or maybe you gathered the courage to join a moot competition but are now dreading the day you have to stand in front of judges and spectators. Practice your speech as many times as you can, not just in front of the mirror but in front of groups of people you are comfortable with. Gather your friends and family and present your case in front of them. Ask your audience for feedback on what you could improve on. You can even try recording yourself giving your speech and watching the video to see your strong points or things that need improvement. 

5) Journal

Writing your worries down prior to an event and looking back on it after the event can sometimes make you realise you were overthinking. Journaling can be a stress reliever and also help you see over time whether you’ve improved or if you are going down the road of negative thinking.  

6) Therapy

If your social anxiety is greatly affecting your mood and daily functioning, it is best recommended to get help from a professional psychologist. A mental health professional can help you figure out what the root of your issues are and create a treatment program tailored to your needs. 

It’s important to realise you do not have to struggle in silence or alone. The law school journey is a long one with many obstacles along the way, but there are many resources that can help you find a solution and enjoy the process. 

It’s not realistic to take a big jump into beinga confident, zealous person overnight. but you can take small steps to reach the end. Most importantly, do not think that you are the only one or the odd one out, it is likely there are many others in the same boat as you, so reach out and build a support system for yourself and others. 

Please note nothing in this article is to be taken as medical advice. If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek help from a medical professional.

For further information and resources, please see our Resources page. 

Written by Fayzia Fayazi.