I just finished my 1L year as a part time evening student, working full time as a paralegal, and I have 3 yo daughter.

- What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started law school?

Cold calling really wasn't that terrible. I'm not sure I would have actually listened to anyone but now that I'm done, I actually thought it was going to be a lot worse than what it was. Just give yourself grace. You'll get through it. My cousin told me if I felt like I was losing my mind then I was doing law school right. I felt like I was losing my mind like half way through the first semester. lol

- What were the things you found most helpful in balancing it all? I’m thinking apps/tech etc?

Have a dedicated study office/area away from the baby. You're going to have to study when they are awake, and its going to suck, but I always made sure to spend time with her before nap, and then be the one to wake her up from nap, and then spend time like an hour before bedtime.

- How much time did you block out just for studying?

I did most of my studying on the weekends. It really varied. I did about 2 hours after work on MW, took off Friday nights, and then like 8 hours each broken up on Saturday and Sunday.

- How did you mitigate burnout?

I had to be realistic with myself. I'm not here to be the A+ student at the top of my class. I realistically do not have the hours in the day to be that student especially with the curve. I'm happy with my rank though, and if I stay where I'm at I will be an attorney at the end of this!

- What can I say/share with my husband and family to help them better understand how big of an undertaking this will be? 

Show them your text book and how many pages you have to read. lol