The Psychology of Surviving Stress at Law School

By now some of the elements of novelty have worn off. You're registered; you've made it through the introductory week, met some classmates and tested the social climate at the first day reception, and had some casual conversations. You've now met your professors and had some first glimpses at their subject matter. Hopefully, you are all set in your personal quarters and you've located the local grocery and sampled at least a few of the city's nicer aspects. You're "here" and a bit more "settled." It's nice to have you.

But there's still newness about the whole experience and a lot of powerful feelings not too far under the surface-some special kinds of joys and some special aches. A bit of the initial thrill is still there. There's a longing for the sight of some familiar places, and especially some beloved faces. New beginnings always invoke wondering: "How will I fit into this group?" "How will I do here?" "Will I really like it in the long run?" Uncertainty is as inevitable as it is discomforting. There is the excitement of a new challenge and the deep joy of having the dreams of going to law school realized at last. There is some apprehension about the hours of study and the publicized difficulty of the courses. The test scores of the class are at very high levels, so you can be confident. But this is also the competition! Certainly there's an element of pride in having been admitted to a first-class law school-as in all of the other achievements which made admission possible. Yet being an achiever is something of a burden. It's a bit relentless. Past performances have to be kept up, and this is a faster league. Can't let down hopes of family, friends, one's people-not to mention one's own hopes. All these swirling feelings are entirely normal and even commendable up to a point. But not when they cause undue anxiety. It may help to know there ARE lots of "feelings" floating around the first few weeks and months of law school. They involve everybody in your class, so don't feel alone and perhaps try to laugh about them with each other. -FATHER JAMES B. MALLEY, S.J., PROFESSOR, BOSTON COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL


SOME STRESS IS INEVITABLE

No matter how laid-back you are, law school inevitably brings out many emotions. Unlike college, where you have a year or two to settle in and figure out the system, academic success in the first year of law school can be outcome-determinative, "The Summer Job Search," on finding a job). The pressure, whether self-imposed or external, causes, at the very least, moments of meltdown.

One common misconception about law school is that law students are stressed out all the time. Despite brief periods of sheer lunacy, most of the day-to-day aspects of preparing for class are not that stressful. If you pace yourself, you'll be surprised at how manageable and enjoyable law schools can be - at least most of the time. Nevertheless, even the most disciplined students experience days or weeks when the workload seems unbearable or the law seems incomprehensible. These times can bring about stress and anxiety. Stress is most easily recognized by its symptoms-the emotions that accompany it.

WHEN THE STRESS YOU FEEL IS NOT NORMAL

Sometimes the stress of law school rises to a level where you need more than a few laughs to make you better. If you feel many of the above emotions constantly or for more than a few days, you may need professional guidance. Here are some signs of severe stress that may be unhealthy:

We all experience some of the above occasionally, but if several of the signs begin to show up and do not go away, you should talk to you?- dean of students, doctor, or someone else you trust about getting more help.

If you see one of your friends becoming severely depressed, make sure you talk to him or he?- and even recommend that he or she seek help. If that person resists help, and you are really worried, talk to the dean of students or other appropriate person at the law school. Do not try to solve problems that are over your head. Unfortunately, some law school students commit suicide every year. Risk losing a friendship if the consequences are truly dire.

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE

Believe it or not, many lawyers remember law school as one of the best times of their lives. The flexibility of the student lifestyle is especially appreciated by people who had careers before coming back to law school.

YOU WILL MEET INTERESTING PEOPLE

Your classmates will be from diverse backgrounds, religions, and countries. Many students will have special ties from former careers that will add to your learning. Almost everybody you meet will be intelligent and motivated.

If you have children, you will be faced with an even more difficult challenge. You may find yourself in the minority, but there is help and support. Most law schools have social groups for families. The groups get together for holidays, play-dates, and basic support.

You should also stop by and introduce yourself to the dean of students. That way, if an emergency with your child comes up, the dean will already understand your situation. The dean also has the power to reschedule exams and possibly tape classes for you if problems arise.

If you have school-age children and school is canceled or child care falls through occasionally, most professors understand if you bring your kids to class. You may be able to use the day care on the main campus of the undergraduate school with which your law school is associated.