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How do you fight burnout (culture) in law school?

Is law school as hard as everyone says it is? What makes law school students so prone to burnout?

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Catherine’s Answer

Law school is tough, but manageable. The intensity comes from heavy workloads, high pressure, and a competitive environment. Burnout is common because students push themselves to extremes, often neglecting rest, hobbies, and mental health.

To fight burnout:

Don’t glorify overwork—rest is productive.

Set boundaries and treat school like a job.

Stay connected to your “why.”

Focus on progress, not perfection.

Support each other instead of competing.
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Seana Lee’s Answer

Law School can be very challenging mentally and physically in the first year. There is a lot of pressure to do well and the professor assign a lot of work (reading and outline cases). The best way to avoid burnout is to have a schedule and stick to it. Spend the first few weeks figuring out when/how you like to study. The best advice I can give you is to find a study group (friends) and study TOGETHER. Help each other. Explain the work and how you are responding to it to each other. Make sure to sleep, exercise, eat well and most of all - be KIND to yourself if your grades are not perfect (or even not near perfect) your first year. You will need to adjust your schedule and life - but the reward is that Law School is super interesting and fun! Good luck!!!!
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Kelly’s Answer

Law school is very difficult due to the structure of courses and the additional structures on securing a post-graduate job. Especially during the first year, you are experiencing something is unlike anything that you've done before but carries significant weight for the beginning of your career. First year grades largely determining your summer and post-grad job prospects.

You will be burnt out. In some respects, it's very unavoidable. However, there are ways to mitigate the extent that you are burnt out. First, engaging in your favorite self-care activities. I always advise others to maintain hobbies to the extent that they can that are unrelated to law school. Second, tune out the noise. Your peers will brag or complain about how much work they're doing or what job they just landed. Don't let their comments discourage you or affect how you proceed on your own path.

Law school is hard and you will burn out at times, but overall the experience is rewarding!
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Terri’s Answer

Law school is challenging, but it's definitely manageable. Remember, thousands of students graduate from law schools every year! The first year is particularly hard because you are learning unfamiliar concepts and an entirely new way of thinking. But don't worry—managing your time well is a big step toward avoiding burnout. Many courses rely heavily on the final exam for your grade; without graded assignments throughout the term it's tempting to procrastinate. But staying on top of your readings and setting a schedule (as noted by a prior answer) will make things easier. It's not just about reading; include some time in that schedule to review and really understand what you're learning. This way, you won't have to relearn things months later when preparing for a final exam. Plus, you'll find lots of people on campus, like professors and more senior students, who are ready to give you strategies for managing the workload. Some days will still be tough, but with good time management, you can handle it without burning out!
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Jerry’s Answer

First, I would carefully examine the other answers as they have more experience re law schools.

But I am familiar with graduate programs at universities. Many are extremely intensive and leave little time for anything other than academic work and each student handles it based upon their own background and ability. And how passionate they are about their academic choices. And their ability to work in stressful situations.

In other words, not everyone attending law school will find it difficult or stressful, while others do indeed burn out. Again, it depends upon the person, but by the very fact that you ask the question that you may indeed be the type that could possibly burn out. But if you wish to get into legal work that's part of the price one has to pay.

I'll finish with a saying students at MIT use. Not only grad students, but undergrads as well. I know that MIT does not have a law school, but you may want to consider their academic experience. They say that there are three things a student can do at MIT. Study, sleep, and party. Pick any two. I would think most law schools are the same.
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