Time management and stress reduction are very important for law students.
Law is is an extremely challenging and advanced academic program. Students are expected to study a wide variety of very detailed information, and they must recall a great many detailed facts. Information is presented during class discussions as well as lectures and course readings. Students must review specific legal cases and understand the main details and significance of each case. Case studies often require the memorization of facts and the application of specific legal theories. The intense workload can often be stressful and tiring, so it's important to use study strategies that allow you to rest your mind and refresh yourself between study sessions.
Instructions
1. Read and learn about legal study skills through your school's program. Most programs offer workshops on study skills to help law students manage the heavy workloads. The University of San Diego Law School, for example has a webpage dedicated to study support, and students are encouraged to use these resources for time management and stress management support.
2. Structure your study time in workable sessions, and leave room for breaks. Try to study written materials in intervals of 50 minutes or an hour and follow the session with a 15- or 20-minute break. Take a break and walk around or eat a snack. Focus on relaxing your body and mind and on giving yourself a time to rest. Avoid talking about study topics with friends or classmates during these breaks.
3. Schedule your days for better time management and proper rest. Structuring a clear schedule for yourself will allow you to get the most out of your study time. For example, if you know you need at least five hours of study time per day you may wish to do three hours in the afternoon, followed by a dinner break and some exercise. Then you can return and complete two additional hours in the evening. Sticking to an end time is key because this will allow you to stop your work and rest. If you continue without a stopping point, you may interrupt your sleep patterns. This will cause fatigue and loss of focus.
4. Learn stress management and relaxation techniques. Many activities such as yoga or meditation offer tools that will help you to relax your mind and release any excessive worry. Use techniques such as stretching or deep breathing to clear your mind of any sense of overload or fatigue. Balancing your studies with some enjoyable social activities can also provide the same support. These tools allow your mind to relax and assimilate information into your short-term and long-term memories.
Tags: your mind, study time, management stress, specific legal, stress management, study skills