The heavy work load, constant reading, researching, studying, grade reports (good and not so good), final exams, and stress of law school can be very overwhelming. But, what really gets my blood boiling is injustice. Injustice based upon socioeconomic status is especially appalling. Rather than rant, I will relay some coping techniques myself and other students utilize in an effort to deal.
1. Exercise. Many go to gyms to hit the weights, take some classes, or use a machine. I prefer a more direct approach. Hitting something is always helpful! Not a human of course. Martial arts training has always been something I keep in my back pocket to keep me sane. I also enjoy finding a park that is secluded from the "machinery" of the world and jog or walk to reset myself.
2. Pets. A recent Forbes publication (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7065794/ns/health-forbescom/) boasts that pets increase longevity. My first pet was a stray cat I adopted when I was up North doing a semester of Grad work. I now share my apartment with the sweetest little dog in the world. It is nice to know she will be there with tail-a-waggin' when I get home. She is a great companion on my journeys to the parks as well.
3. Spirituality. When the woes of this world get you down, prayer, meditation, or what have you is a way to realize that most things really are not worth getting too worked up over.
4. Friendship. I am not talking about partying the night away at a noisy club (although some might find this helps). I am talking about spending quality time with individuals you know, trust, and can confide in. For me, it helps reassess the fact that the world is not as messed up as I tend to lead myself to believe.
5. Optimism. A wise Doctor once gave me a good prescription for staying positive (not prozac). He said, "at the end of everyday, write down three good things that have happened that day." "That way, all day, you will be searching and looking for good things to write down." A little self-fulfilling perhaps, but it works for me.
6. Know Thyself. Professor Ronner preaches this one. For me it means being able to look myself in the mirror when I get home, and say I did the best I could and I did not sacrifice my beliefs.
You tend to hear a lot about how people cope when you are in law school. A couple of ALI's (or active learning instructors) suggest a good round of video games in the evening.
All in all, I try to think of life as an ocean. Some days there are huge powerful waves that come crashing down, which seem to halt any attempt to make head way. All one can do those days is keep his head above water. Other days there are hurricanes, where complete reassessment is necessary. But, some days the water is smooth and calm, and we seem to float along so peacefully and effortlessly. There is an ebb and flow to the cycles of this world that everyone must accept.
