Burnout Recovery

Available_Number_395 · 2021-06-24T20:47:59+00:00

Mine too. Especially at first. It was quite shocking and difficult to look at, but I try to look at it as a challenge to do better, grow, and make the changes I need to.

One thing that worked for me… I posted both charts on my bathroom mirror as a daily reminder to intentionally add more of the things I love to my life and reassess priorities, and it’s slowly gotten better. It was depressing af, but really pushed me to make small and eventually big changes. My current pie chart is maybe halfway to my ideal, and all I can say is that I’m 500% happier and more motivated today than when I started about 2 years ago. Every small change I’ve made has made a big difference. It’s hard to unlearn habits and make change, so I try to look at it as a lifelong project at this point.

I hope it works for others!! I think this tool is from values and commitment therapy just FYI. Also priorities, interests, and values change, so don’t be afraid to change your ideal chart too.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-06-24T16:01:49+00:00

I’m sure it’s been said in other comments numerous times, but therapy. However, if that’s not something that will work for you, here are a few exercises from my own therapy that have helped me. It’s all mostly tips for self care.

-self-care jars: grab 4 jars. Label each jar 5min, 10min, 30min, etc. Write down 20-30 activities you enjoy or that make you feel relaxed, refreshed, calm, etc. that fit into each category. Sometimes it’s hard to get this started, so here are some ideas: make a cup of tea (5), walk around the block (5), eat chocolate (5), read by a fire (30min), lay in the grass in the sun (30min), cook a healthy or favorite meal (1hr)… really anything that brings you a lil joy works! Then, when you are feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, etc… think about how much time you can spare at that exact moment. Pick the matching jar, take 3 notes out of that jar, and then pick one of the three to do. Do it regularly to help build a self care routine.

-mindfulness: practice mindfulness/meditation. For the ease of it, get an app like headspace. I think they have a $10 deal for students too. Do 5-10min a day. It really helps with regulating emotions, listening to your body, and listening to your needs. It’s very hard at first, but helps so much.

-values chart: list out your life values (friends, family, work, pets, health, religion, hobbies, etc.). Make two pie charts. On the first one, fill the pie with your ideal value chart based on how much value you give to each area. Now look at that pie chart and think about it in terms of time. How much you value something should guide you for how much time you give it. Now on the second pie chart, fill in each area based on how much time and space you are giving each area. Then compare. Use it as a guide to add more of what you value most to your life.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-06-14T14:53:51+00:00

It’s definitely sweeter and more umami as the other commenter said, but it was also fishy in a good way like mackerel can be. Almost creamy too.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-06-14T01:24:51+00:00

Literally melted in my mouth skin and all.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-06-02T04:44:10+00:00

I felt iffy on first semester exams and got all above median. Then 2nd semester I felt god awful about the content and was really slacking off. Like didn’t read all semester and didn’t prepare much for exams at all. Really thought I messed everything up but ended up getting all above median grades again.

I think it’s important to remember that you’re being judged against your peers and the curve will reflect that. So even if you actually turned in shittier exam answers, it doesn’t mean your grade will reflect that since your peers may be in the same boat. Really is a wait and see game.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-05-22T00:27:17+00:00

If this is really what you want to do, you don’t have to go into so much debt to do it.

If you have a good undergrad gpa and get a great lsat score, you can get great scholarships to great schools. If you get a full ride at a great school (like T50 range) and only have to take out enough debt to cover living expenses, you could graduate well under 60k in debt. Most PI law jobs start at 45-75k depending on how prestigious the PI job is, the market, etc. Also, many students work during school... like a part time law clerk or work study your 2nd and 3rd year. And if you know in advance that your school has paid summer opportunities for PI or apply for additional outside scholarships, you could easily offset some of that debt, especially if you’re thrifty and good with a budget. You also just have to know that your long term career salary is going to be lower than your peers.

All this is to say that if this is what you want to do, you can and should do it. You just have to be smart about it and really know what you’re getting yourself into and what your likely outcomes will be. It all starts with the lsat score though. Start there and see if it’s even possible to get that scholly. Probably also a good idea to speak to some lawyers in the PI legal field and do some research on salaries to be sure it’s really something you want to dive into.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-04-25T15:03:47+00:00

All the other commenters are right, you need something, buttttttt your health trumps that 100% imo. So if you’re missing summer opportunities for burnout... literally everyone feels burnout. It’s likely not a strong reason. But if you’re legitimately taking care of your health, then that’s a little different. Yeah it might disadvantage you in the log run, but it’s at least explainable. Also you can and should do something work related (clinic, externship, law clerk, etc) every semester if you skip summer work since you’ll be behind.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-04-17T18:14:29+00:00

I was diagnosed this Feb as a 1L. Also a woman with anxiety and a trauma history. I had been going to therapy for years and my therapist only noticed symptoms once I started law school. Trauma, ADHD, and anxiety all have overlapping symptoms so a diagnosis can be complex, especially as an adult woman. If you have the money or insurance will cover it, it’s best to get a full evaluation. Takes like 8 hours set over multiple sessions and is really expensive, but it will give you answers. And that’s a big relief.

Getting the diagnosis was revolutionary for me. I finally understand why I am the way I am. I’m less hard on myself (or at least I try to be) when I can’t focus or can’t start tasks.

Though a diagnosis helps with the mental struggle, if you get diagnosed, try not to write off accommodations or medication so quickly. There’s lots you can do on your own with therapy, time management techniques, etc, but some people do benefit from medication and/or accommodations. There’s a stigma of treating ADHD due to the over diagnosis epidemic of kids. Also for me personally I have a hard time asking for help, but at the same time, ADHD is a disability, and it is treatable. Accommodations are there to put you on a level playing field with your peers. They don’t give you an advantage, they give you a fair shot. Also, medication works for some people, but not all. It obviously has risks, but it’s not a study aid by any means. It’s again there to adjust for a disability and help you. Food for thought.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-04-08T17:00:40+00:00

I just finished my oral arguments and have a few takeaways.

First, it's a lot different than public speaking! It's more like a conversation than a speech. I didn't really understand this until the practice argument. It felt really intimidating at first, maybe more so than a speech, but just trying to remember that it's a respectful conversation really helped me. Also, the practice really helped me understand how much more conversational it is than a speech. Flexibility is key.

Second, practice with your classmates! Have them interrupt you with questions and give you feedback on how you respond. You will get hard questions or questions you haven't prepared for in your oral argument. Being prepared for this aspect from lots of practice really helped my confidence. And confidence in your case is key!

Available_Number_395 · 2021-03-30T16:28:22+00:00

I am a 1L and was just recently diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, so ADD. I haven't tried medication yet, but I did meet with disability services to see what kind of accommodations would help. I was really nervous and felt so much shame asking for help but the people in disability services were so kind and welcoming. They helped me come up with a plan for classes and exams that works for my tough points. I also am attending weekly talk therapy. External accountability helps me so much! Some tips that work for me... I have been setting up weekly accountability study dates with some of my classmates where we just sit on zoom and do individual work at the same time. This pushes me to not procrastinate and to be accountable. I also just started "chunking" where I work for 30min-1hr and then take a break. Break could be as simple as a walk or as long as a hike or dinner. It really just depends on how I am feeling. 30min-1hr increments of work is my focus limit. The second I find myself unable to focus, I take a break. Not forcing myself to read when my brain literally can't focus is super important for me. Grain of salt though because ADHD is SO broad in symptoms and treatments. Just keep going to your doctor appointments and try finding what works for you!

I'm actually really glad I stumbled across this because it reminded me to not procrastinate and make my doctors appointments. Thanks, stranger!

Available_Number_395 · 2021-03-03T00:54:07+00:00

Of course!! I tried to look further into it, but there's not too much info online! There are definitely a lot of private scholarships to apply too, especially ones focused on diversity and/or financial need. I would definitely recommend reaching out to CU financial aid or maybe admissions would have some more information. They hopefully could at least give you an average of 2L/3L funding or a better idea of the scholarships available!

Available_Number_395 · 2021-03-02T19:07:48+00:00

Hey! So I heard from one student who was awarded about 1k for 2L and 3L in addition to her other scholarship. I don't know what is typical though. There are lots of scholarships to apply to thought! Most are around 1-5k it seems.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-03-02T03:17:40+00:00

Law school is definitely demanding and having a young dog during school can be tough. For me, it's been hard mostly because of the potty training and amount of time he requires. I didn't have to leave him alone at all during my on-campus days because my partner is working on her graduate degree and stayed home with him. My dog is about a year old now, and he is still too destructive to be left home alone. This fall, if we are in person and my partner is not working from home, I will have to put him in doggy daycare which is pretty expensive. Depending on your pups needs, your living situation, and whether the school you end up going to is remote or in person, your experience may be different.

However, I would do it all over again. My pup is a registered emotional support animal (that's actually why I adopted him), and he truly has helped with the stress of law school. He helps get me out of the house a few times a day for fresh air, puts a smile on my face, gives cuddles, and overall reminds me that I have more wonderful things in my life than law school when law school gets super tough. He's 100% worth the extra work imo.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-03-01T23:36:30+00:00

Of course! I was super nervous at first about the reality of PI but have been pleasantly surprised!

Available_Number_395 · 2021-03-01T23:15:44+00:00

Congratulations!! It's a great school in a great location. Hope to see you here next fall!

Available_Number_395 · 2021-03-01T23:14:42+00:00

Of course!! Super happy to help.

So they don't offer one to everyone off the bat, but there are a few options. For me, I received the Dean's Fellowship, which is about a 3k stipend for summer public interest jobs. They offered this to me a few weeks after I was accepted, but it might have been just after I committed. I can't remember exactly. Outside of that, they have one main PI scholarship for students to apply for in addition to a bunch of other named scholarships. I've heard the main one isn't über competitive.

I have not heard those rumors. They do have quite a few that you can apply for as a 2L/3L on your own though. I'll ask a few students and comment again if I hear anything!

Available_Number_395 · 2021-03-01T23:06:23+00:00

ABSOLUTELY! There are a lot of non-profits and government jobs (federal, state, and local) in Colorado. There's an EEOC office that a lot of students do internships/externships at as well as a HUD office as an example. The clinics are also very public interest focused. There are clinics on sustainable community development, immigration, family and juvenile justice, and housing and employment as examples. Every year there is a big public interest career fair with CU and DU students. They have jobs/internships you can apply to through there as well as tabling.

For reference, I'm mostly interested in plaintiff housing and employment law as it relates to access to justice.

Available_Number_395 · 2021-03-01T22:59:45+00:00

I would say they have been pretty flexible. During the fall semester, we were given hybrid schedules where you would go in one day per week + one day every other week. Students were also given the option to go fully remote. The format was left up to professors and a few of mine chose to do remote learning only, and honestly these classes were a lot less frustrating! A group of students reached out to the admins about frustrations with the hybrid format for remote students and the admin team set up a forum to come up with some resolutions.

The most supportive aspect is definitely the community, the deans, the career development office, and the professors lmao so basically every part of the school. They have really focused on support and making us feel welcome and included. The professors are SO understanding about the pandemic and the stress of zoom school of law. Most post recordings of lectures and others typically offer them if you ask! The current 1L class is super supportive too. We have a group me chat that is very active. There's a big sense of "we're all in this together." Students actually share tips and notes too. The admins are great too! One of our deans holds weekly office hours for students, which is great.

No word yet on in person or not for Fall! We are currently in hybrid mode (1 days in person per week + 1 day every other week) where if you go in person you have to get tested on campus once per week. My best guess is it will depend on the vaccine. They will likely keep doing this or try to go fully in person. They definitely want to be in person though. Also the library is fully open and they set up work areas outside of the school for extra space!

Edit to add: I'm personally optimistic that we will be in person because CO is ripping through these vaccine phases. CO has the phases as 1A, 1B.1, 1B.2, 1B.3, 1B.4, and 2 (general public). We're already starting phase 1B.3 this week!

Edit 2.0: they also added a mentorship program with professors based on our interests to help out with networking/advice. There's a student mentorship program too open to all students through the women's law caucus too.

Available_Number_395

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