Journaling: Putting Your Thoughts on Paper

Coming from my peers, I found that a lot of people are actually afraid to start journaling.  Some people did not want to put another "commitment" on their plate, some did not want to do it incorrectly, and some just couldn't  imagine putting their thoughts into words.


I personally find journaling very therapeutic.  If I am having an internal debate, sometimes I will write down the pros and cons circling around in my head and the visual aid will help me in making my decision.

No Right or Wrong

Journaling is one of the few places where there are no right or wrong answers.  I’ve come to enjoy this—there are not many places where this is the case.  In all parts of school, you are expected to produce a certain work product.  That isn’t the case here, your journal is for you and you alone.  Do what makes YOU happy.

I love letting my thoughts race freely from my head to the paper.  If a song is stuck in my head, that goes in my journal.  It’s freeing and fun, especially with all of the regulations in legal writing.  Let your journal reflect you.

Be-You-tiful

I’m not one for sharing my journal, so I can put anything and everything down on paper.  Yes, I guard my journal with a fervor.  But, it’s like protecting my inner-most thoughts.  There is nothing with having some personal boundaries.  You need a space of your own, and it’s okay if your journal is yours.  And, there is no need for a fancy, leather-bound book.  You can have a small notepad with paper covers.  It’s all you.

Feel happy and free. Enjoy your paper adventure!

Caffeine Crashes and How to Avoid Them

These days it seems like everyone gets their fair share of caffeine--whether it comes in the form of coffee, soda, or energy drinks.  People also are all too familiar with the afternoon crashes that often follow the consumption of caffeine.  The little-known fact is that people do not know that this issue is completely avoidable.

The Definition of Caffeine Crash

Caffeine crash (n.): A crash that usually occurs a few hours after a person has consumed a moderate to high dose of caffeine and was previously in a tired state.

Common symptoms of a caffeine crash:

• Extreme fatigue
• Inability to concentrate
• Irritability
• Dozing off

The good news is that these symptoms can be lessened or eliminated by taking a few simple steps.  Changing some habits could definitely be worth it to increase your energy levels.

How to Avoid the Crash

The first step is to try to get as much effective rest as possible.  As a lawyer and law student, this is very difficult, but this means to avoid unplanned naps, attempt to regulate your sleep schedule, and turn off your electronics once you climb into bed to avoid blue light.

Second, try to spread your caffeine consumption throughout the entire day.  Rather than consuming your coffee back to back, drink one cup in the morning and one in the afternoon.  This avoids shocking your system with a huge dose of caffeine.  Instead, the caffeine is allowed to slowly enter your system and power you throughout the day.

Third, do not give yourself an unreasonably high dose of caffeine at one time.  A single serving of caffeine is considered to be 100-200 mg (the amount in a single serving of coffee).  If you ingest more than this at one time you will probably experience a crash during the day.

The fourth step is to consume food with your caffeine.  It is best if this food is rich in protein and other essential nutrients rather than a sugary muffin or donut.  Having caffeine on an empty stomach can lead your body to process the caffeine too quickly and a crash.

Finally, STAY HYDRATED.  The only way to do this is to drink plenty of water throughout the day.  Caffeine crashes are often due to dehydration.  A proper amount of water keeps your body's natural processes functioning correctly.  Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts here.  Juice, soda, or any other drink is not a substitute for water.  You need to drink legitimate H2O to keep up your hydration.

Keep your energy and productivity up,

The How-To Guide on Working with People You Dislike

It has happened to all of us--we have been stuck in a group with that ONE person that makes us so angry we could yell.  Somehow, we have all survived those experiences with varying levels of injury.  As anyone who works in a professional setting will tell you, you will always have to work with someone that you cannot stand.  Here are a few pointers that I have found useful to myself when I am put in these situations.

The One Who Won't Pull His/Her Weight

I think I find this situation the worst.  I am always of the opinion that "if you are not going to try, then why are you even here?"  This kind of person is dead weight on the team--you can ask him/her to fulfill a task, but there is no guarantee that it will be completed or completed to an acceptable level.

Fill the Void Yourself

I know this is not a solution that anyone wants to hear, but it is the honest truth.  If you have a dead-weight, then it is still your team's responsibility to get all elements together for the project.  Sometimes, this means that you have to bite the bullet yourself and do the part that the dead-weight will not do.

There is one bonus to this outcome.  (Hard to believe, I know.)  Your professor/boss will be able to detect the dead-weight in the group very quickly.  The person who did not complete their part is easily detectable.  If it is a written paper, a professor will be able to read it and know that it is all in one voice.  Presentations are a chance for the biggest red flags to pop up.  If there are gaps in a person's knowledge, it is going to be blatant when someone is standing in front of the class with very few things to say.

Let the Gaps Stay Present

Sometimes you are under too much stress to do anything than your initially assigned part.  In these cases, you have to let the chips fall where they may.  Sometimes one must "suck it up" and let it just happen.  If the parts were assigned by your professor, he or she will know exactly who did and did not fulfill the necessary obligations to fulfill the project's specifications.

This is not my first suggestion, especially if the parts were not specifically assigned to each person.  The professor may think that you or your group forgot an essential part of the assignment.  This can strongly affect your grade.  But, if you have to take a few points off of your grade rather than bombing then entire assignment, that may be a sacrifice you must make.

Explain the Situation to the Professor

I know that no one wants to be a tattletale, but if you are having that much trouble with a member of your group and everyone in the group has done everything that they could, sometimes you have to go to your last resort.  There has been only one time that I have had to do it, but the professor seemed to already know what was going on.  The professor knew that the one group member had not been meeting during all of our planning meetings, and he was very aware that the group member was not researching his piece of the project.  Professors are often significantly more perceptive than we give them credit for.

The One Who is the "Know-It-All"

Your first instinct, in this case, may be to confront the troublemaker of the group.  That is not the best choice.  If a group member is starting out hard-headed, there is no reason to believe that they won't continue to be.  The best thing to do is to make strong suggestions, and take things in the direction that you believe will produce the best product possible.

Avoid the Screaming Match at All Costs

Lawyer personalities--we are all Type A.  This means that we do not always keep our cool, but in this case, it is imperative.  No one likes the person who overreacts or explodes.  It makes everyone fearful of your future reactions to their ideas and input.

Screaming matches also do not make one appear very professional, but rather immature.  This is something that people will remember well into their professional careers--when they are either facing you in the courtroom or sitting across from you in the conference room during negotiations.  The impression that you leave with people now is the impression that they will have for the rest of time.

No One Can Actually Know It All

There is no such thing as someone who is omnipotent.  No single person can actually know every piece of knowledge that is possible to know.  When someone makes a mistake, do not be quick and unsympathetic.  It could be you that has cases and facts mixed up, and you do not need someone to turn around and meanly point it out to you.

When the "Know-It-All" comes down off of his or her pedestal, there is no need to make it a larger deal than it is.  After he or she admits that he or she made a mistake, let it go.  Everyone will respect you more for that than pointing out the fact that you are right and rubbing it in.  Be a team player and support the others.  Do not let others define you.

There is No Such Thing As Perfect

Even if you have the exact group that you want, nothing will be perfect.  Friends will make mistakes.  People who you thought you could trust will let you down, and life will give you your fair share of speed bumps.  No matter what, keep your head held high, a strong sense of dignity, and your composure.

Believe me, I have been there.

Grammarly: Catching the Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making

The Grammar Tool of the Future

Grammarly is a free program that you can download onto your computer and use with a multitude of programs, such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, your internet browser, etc.  It catches common grammar mistakes that people make in writing.  I use it while composing thank you notes, emails, and professional letters, so I do not send something with a simple error that I did not catch when proofreading.

Check with Professors before Use on an Assignment

If you download Grammarly, and you plan on using it for Legal Writing assignments, make sure that you ask your professor if they allow the use of the tool on your assignments.  Some professors express that you cannot use any kind of grammar/spelling tool rather than the traditional "spell check".  Following the directions and regulations set forth by your professor is paramount.

There is a Premium Version

I myself only use the free Grammarly program, but there is a more advanced version that requires a subscription fee.  I have not felt much of a need to upgrade, but if you are not comfortable with your grammar skills, it might be worth it.

The Application Made Me a Conscientious Writer

After using Grammarly for a while, I started to catch some of the common mistakes that I made when writing.  I learned while working with Grammarly how to be a better proofreader for myself.  This is a way that can even help you practice your writing before you work on final papers or projects on which Grammarly is not permitted.

You Can Download It Easily and Quickly

In order to download Grammarly for your computer and its programs, follow this link:
Grammarly

Enjoy,

To Do Lists Can Save Your Life

Raise your hand if you ever forgot to complete an important assignment, task, interview, or meeting.  Everyone's hand is probably raised right now, and if yours isn't--I don't believe you.  We have all had the "oh no" moment.  Human memories are a little too much like sieves for my liking.

Easy to Prioritize

If everything is sitting on the same piece of paper, it is easy to figure out what tasks need to be completed first and which ones can wait until last.  When you look in your fridge and all you see is some sour milk and shriveled up lemons, then you know grocery shopping must be at the top of your list.  If you have tons of reading for your classes, you can either put the readings in length order or class order, whatever makes it more convenient for you.

Pneumonic Devices

Writing things down, it allows you to try out different memory devices, so you avoid forgetting something essential.  Maybe you can make an acronym or saying (Can Tommy Peel Cold Citrus) to remember the order of your exams (Contracts, Torts, Property, Civil Procedure, Constitutional).  This can help you make an effective study plan where you focus on what you are struggling with.

Relieving Stress

Who isn't a fan of making life simpler?  If you don't have the pressure of remembering your personal tasks, you have more time and ability to remember material that you covered in class, and you can focus on school.  I am a huge to do list proponent because I can clear my mind when I know everything has been crossed off.

Keeping Your Dates Straight

Was the summer associate info session scheduled for March 20th or May 20th?  Did I have a meeting with my professor on the 6th or 16th?  These are questions you will never have to ask yourself if you write it down on your to do list and add it to your calendar when you get the chance.  We all know the "heart dropped to my stomach" feeling when you realize that you are 30 minutes late to a mandatory assembly.  Also, it can even help those who usually arrive late (like me) to get there on time.

Be your own knight in shining armor and WRITE THAT STUFF DOWN.

Hugs and Kisses,

What's A Social Life?

This is the question that every law student asks themselves...

Yes, from the first day of law school, it seems like your schedule is always packed with assignments, club meetings, and studying.  It is important to keep on top of your school work and obligations, but you cannot function on all of this alone.  Every person, even a law school girl, needs to come up for a breath of fresh air from time to time.  Social interaction and free time is just as important as studying--even the ABA agrees with us.

Make Breaks Productive

When you do decide to take a break from your studies, make it as useful as possible.  If you are feeling extremely stressed, choose an activity that will actually relax you.  Do not pick something that will cause other issues to weigh on your mind, this will make you even more stressed.  You should also pick one day a week where you push law school out of your mind and fill your day with fun activities.

"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy."

Elle Woods was correct on this point.  A run around the block, a quick workout video, or a SoulCycle class with a friend can make a strong positive impact on you and your body.  Working out can actually give you a boost of energy, and it can help you power through reading a tough case.  It also helps you keep a healthy lifestyle during a time where it does not seem that you have the time.  Law schools are notorious for their free food to attract students to attending events.  Usually this food is not the healthiest (cookies, pizza, donuts, etc.).  Making exercise part of your weekly routine can help balance this out and keep you awake and alert.

A Clean Home is a Happy Home

I know, I know, this is such a cliche.  And cleaning your room/apartment/house sounds like the the last thing you want to do when you get home after class.  However, it is very true.  Clutter in real life equals clutter in your brain.  I feel guilty even putting this suggestion up here because I don't always follow my own advice on this.  I can say that when all my dishes are clean and put away, my laundry is done, and my carpet is vacuumed I feel physically better.  One of my favorite things to do while doing the housekeeping is blasting my favorite music and singing along.  It makes chores seem less endless, and you can even bust out into your most embarrasing dance moves.

Read a Book for Pleasure

Looking at more words on a page may sound like the last thing you want to do after reading hundreds of pages of legal jargon, but allowing your brain to stretch creativity can actually help with problem solving.  If you don't want it to be a solitary activity, you can make a small book club among friends with no deadlines, pressure, or expectations.  The creative part of your brain can actually kick in when writing your law exams--you may see something that other students don't, or come up with another solution that your classmates may not consider.  Even rereading an old favorite can help, making your mind more perceptive.
 

"He drinks a whiskey drink / He drinks a vodka drink / He drinks a lager drink / He drinks a cider drink."

Tubthumping may have enjoyed staying out all night partying, but they did not need to get up the next day to finish a twenty-something page brief.  Drinking to cope is never the answer, and pushing yourself past your limits can lead to some really regrettable consequences.

Everybody Loves Game Night

Being social does not mean that you have to be the life of the party.  Sometimes the best thing to do is have a low-key game night where everyone brings their favorite snack or splurges for some take-out.  For this activity, it is best not to let your competitive side get the best of you.  Pull out a game that doesn't have high stakes.  Cards Against Humaniy, Uno, Clue, and Scrabble are some of my favorites.  They are not complicated games, everyone knows the rules, and you can basically start and stop the game whenever you want.

Avoid Staring at Another Screen

Netflix and Chill is never the best choice.  You are already straining your eyes so much during the week, that staring at another screen is just going to deteriorate your vision even more.  I know, sometimes you feel like you need to watch a mindless episode before bed, but the light from the screen will actually keep you up and make you have less fitful sleep.  If you want to do something that does not require too much thinking, have your friends come over for a casual night in for just talking and laying out on the couch.

You Don't Need to Impress Anyone

Do not let yourself feel pressured to go out just because everyone else appears to be doing it.  This is the along the lines of the "if everyone jumps off a cliff..." argument.  If you are in the mood to go home and use your freetime to take a nap, go for it.  If you just want to play fetch with your dog, you do you.  If running around the house with a cat toy tied to a string sounds like your idea of a good time, then that is what you should do.  The only person that you need to impress is yourself and future employers.

Love and luck to all,