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Burnout is not for the Well Prepared Law Student There are several key problems a law student might encounter during the course of law school. Financial stress is major for many while stress from studies can be overwhelming for others. Burnout from too much stress does not have to be a problem for law students who have a balanced life, know how to set priorities, and also how to manage their money and time.
Burnout involves 4 parts of our lives. It is an exhaustion of our: • • • •
Physical bodies Emotional health Intellectual prowess Spiritual being
Set up a good plan to manage your time. Make sure it includes more than enough time for study and always include a day to rest and be with your family. Fit your work schedule somewhere in between your priorities.
It happens over a period of time and perhaps without forewarning if you are not prepared to look at the signs. Students striving for high goals can often feel themselves slipping into a chronic feeling of frustration and disappointment. This is how burnout creeps up on you and these are some warning signs: • • • •
A fast paced lifestyle Devoting all your time to school and work neglecting relationships and family Forgetful of leisure time being important to your well being as a person Squeezing in too many credits in an effort to graduate early and begin a career
When a student becomes apathetic, feeling helpless and cynical just waiting to make it to the end of the semester, this is a sign of burnout. Burnout is best prevented by some management steps. Set up a good plan to manage your finances. Be sure you have a financial plan that allows enough money to live. (That is, to pay bills, rent and food.) Tuition and books will often be covered by school loans that are not difficult to obtain. You
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may be opposed to loans, but the financial stress they relieve is worth taking one to manage school.
A good time schedule allows you to accomplish your goals and refresh your mind and you will stay focused for the daily tasks of law school. It is always helpful to schedule meditation or physical activity because these things help relieve stress. If you can schedule both a 30 minute exercise program (running, walking, etc.)3 times a week and 10 minutes for meditation in the mornings then you can minimize your stress and take it as it comes. Set up a good plan to manage healthy eating. Whether you have a prepaid amount for the school cafeteria or home cooking, it is necessary to give your body the energy it needs to stay healthy and build a resistance to the flu and other contagious illnesses that thrive in large groups of people. A breakdown in health is a sure way to start the ball rolling towards exhaustion of your total self; the mind, body emotions and spirit. Be flexible to changes that can occur in any schedule. Rearrange time, activities or events if unexpected things occur. Delegate when you need help. Incorporate your friends and family who are interested in you achieving your goals. Give the delegation clearly and do not assume. Thank your support system. You have a plan.
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