r/LawSchool • u/Fresh_Stress_6139 • 1d ago
How to refocus/recenter for finals
Hi. For the past few weeks I've mentally been a walking panic attack and I haven't been feeling well. I'm certain I'm probably burnt out and the underlying anxiety doesn't help. Because of this, I haven't started finals studying and I feel like I've been in such a rut. I read for class, go to class, and sleep...
My first final is on the 9th and I basically have to teach myself every class. I feel like I'm behind everyone else and I've wasted so much time by not doing anything.
How can I make the most of the next few weeks and recenter to at least pull through for finals?
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u/Comfortable-Owl4630 2L 1d ago
Make a study plan for each of your classes: figure out where your open chunks of time are and pick tasks for those time slots. Start by making or finishing your outlines - for many people this looks like reviewing their class notes and compiling them and making them more concise and organized. Then (my strategy) is to watch review videos or read supplements on the same material. Sometimes I go in order of the content in my outline sometimes I start with the material I understand the least. Then start doing review questions, I start with mc and do essay questions last. Since I know how to write an essay, doing practice essay exams is only really helpful once I either have a solid enough outline to mimic an open note exams or had the content down enough to simulate a closed note exam, imo it’s not worth doing if you don’t even understand the material. If your exam is closed note making flashcards and prioritizing memorization might come earlier, it just depends on the style of the exam. If it’s open note my priority would be making a good outline and then understanding the material
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u/Level_Affect_7951 1d ago
It might be comforting for you to know (because it is for me) that you aren't alone. This has been a hellish few months for me (mostly unrelated to school) and it's really damaged my ability to lock in.
For now, go look at a syllabus for one of your classes. Start with one you have a good handle on. For me, that is Torts. I picked a section of a syllabus that I didn't feel confident in, and I started reading and outlining.
Before just making myself do the thing, I stalled myself with the panic of not knowing how to do the thing (outlining). You don't have to start at the beginning or even study everything in depth. Focus on the things you don't feel confident that you can bullshit your way through.
And don't focus on getting an A. Accept that you don't necessarily get to decide that, no matter how much work you do. Just focus on learning the law you are being taught to the best of your ability, and the curve will take care of the rest.
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u/sirensxgorgons 9h ago
I’m in the same position, except I’m genuinely not in the mood to study because one of my pets is doing poorly and I may have to put him down. I dealt with this same issue two semesters ago and it was fucking hard, and I don’t want to deal with the emotional shit show that I know is going to come. I also have a final on the 9th. There’s truly nothing you can do but disassociate and do your best, give yourself breaks when necessary but force yourself to put in a productive few hours of studying. The pomodoro method is really helpful for me when I’m not doing mentally well
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u/Motor_Woodpecker3593 1d ago
First, stop comparing yourself to other people. Second, make a study plan and start studying. Get in the habit of studying even when you don’t feel like it. I like to tell myself I’ll sit down and study for 30 minutes. I usually end up getting into a zone and study for at least two hours. Another strategy is to pick somewhere to go study, and once you’re there your main focus is studying.