Mental Wellbeing The clerkship application period and process can be one of the most stressful times in a law student’s time at law school. But remember, clerkships are by no means the be all and end all! It’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally during this time. Create a flexible schedule. The key to using your time wisely is learning to prioritize tasks and get organized. Whether you procrastinate or not, when you have multiple deadlines you have to meet it can be difficult to accord time to each task. Thinking ahead when creating your schedule is your best bet. Plan out the semester ahead and take careful note of when assignments are due, along with your work obligations and other personal commitments. Always be realistic with how much time you will need to complete each task, start things early and set goals. Most importantly, communicate your schedule with your workplace, family and friends so that they are aware and can support you the best they can. Build your support network and use it. It’s no secret that law students suffer from higher levels of depression and anxiety. Add part or even full-time employment and a stressful application period into the mix & you may be left feeling seriously overextended. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your support network! If you are struggling, the UNSW Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offer free services to students, be it counselling, or personal skills sessions. Alternatively, swing by our well-being events at any time for some tips on coping with and managing stress (or just some free food)! Reward yourself! Law school is hard. Work is hard. Clerkship applications are hard. But that doesn’t mean that you should be hard on yourself ! It’s a good idea to just switch off once in a while and do something you enjoy. Always make time for your family, friends, and most importantly for yourself. Stay healthy, ensure you are getting sufficient sleep, maintain a healthy diet and relieve stress through exercise. This is important, as maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help ease stress and keep you going for the semester and/or your application period.
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