Crafting Your Perfect Law School Routine: Weekly Habits

Habits are the key to success throughout your time in law school. Albeit sometimes things don’t go according to plan, but the stronger your commitment is to your routine, the more able you are to adapt accordingly when life throws you curveballs. I’ve developed a perfect(ish) law school routine for myself. Everyone varies in what works for them, but my framework can help you create your very own.

The Center of It All – Your Calendar

Whether you prefer pen on paper or an app on your phone, you need a calendar. I’ve tried pretty much everything when it comes to the most efficient way to calendar my schedule, but Google Calendar takes the cake. It syncs up to my email, sends me alerts, and is the easiest to use. Every time I make a reservation or appointment, I can always just click “Add to Calendar” and voila, there it is.

But I’m here to focus on how I use my calendar for law school, so that’s what I will do. I mentioned this in my previous post and I think it’s worth noting again: put all your classes/test dates/whatever else straight from your syllabi into your calendar in the first week! Color code, set your classes to repeat weekly until the end of the semester, and get it done. This is the first step!

Okay your classes are in your calendar, now what? The answer is… everything else! I don’t know you and I don’t know your schedule, but I doubt it varies much from mine. I prioritize studying, my relationships, and my health. All of this can be put directly into your schedule. Every Sunday, I open up my calendar and I plan my week. First, what social events, meetings, or appointments do I have? Add all of those in their own color.

Next, how much reading do I need to do for law school? Pull up your assignments for the week and cross-reference them with your classes that should already be in your calendar. Look for open time slots that you know you can use for getting those done at least one day before they are due. Some people like to wait until the day of, but I don’t think that’s a good idea unless it’s absolutely necessary. Like I said, you never know what random obligations are going to pop up, so take out the fear of something getting in the way of you getting your readings done on time.

Alright, now it’s time for self-care. Your schedule should be looking pretty full, but I promise you there is time if you make it. Sure, this may look like getting up an hour earlier a few days a week or sacrificing one of two movie nights with friends, but sacrifices are necessary when trying to achieve balance. You know your body and what works for it, but if you can try to dedicate 2-3 time slots towards intentional exercise, you’re in a good spot. This doesn’t have to be going on a 5 mile run or doing some crazy HIIT workout; it can be yoga, stretching, walking – anything to give your brain a break and get your body moving. The days when you don’t schedule any exercise, try to still make time for your mental health. Do you like to journal? Meditate? Read for fun? Put that in your calendar. It seems silly, but there is a direct correlation between writing things down and actually getting them done. If it’s not in your calendar, you won’t feel as pushed to accomplish whatever you set out to do.

This one is optional, but I like to meal prep. I think it saves money, time, and solidifies my ability to make healthy meal choices to power me through my week. I have 1 hour on Sunday mornings slotted specifically for meal prep. Usually, I get my grocery shopping done sometime on the weekend before then, and on my grocery list is whatever I want to make for food the next week. I get my recipes from Pinterest, Tik Tok, or Instagram! I know it seems like a drag, but you can make it fun. There are so many creative recipes and food creators out there, you just have to put in the effort to look.

That’s pretty much all I have in my calendar at all times. I use it as my base schedule, and then can easily go in and change things as needed. For instance, if I have dinner with a friend and she cancels, I’m able to make extra time for studying instead! Then, I can try to reschedule with her in a time slot where I had studying as a place-holder. Once you get in habit of being meticulous with your calendar, I promise the extra stress will melt away.

When and Where to Study

Choosing a space to study is so much more important than law students may have originally thought. I bought myself a folding lap desk so I could study and read from my bed, and now I never use it. I’m sure it works for some people, but not me. I found myself getting easily distracted by my phone, letting myself “rest my eyes,” or having the TV on for background noise, which just turned into my laptop constantly going into sleep mode because I wasn’t touching it. Again, you know yourself and what works for you.

The best study destination for me has been, and always will be, the law school library. There is no other place you can go that is full of such a variety of resources. You can study with other law students, ask the law librarians niche questions, and use the law school library database to hunt for any study materials you might need. My friends and I often set up times to meet in the library for group studying or outlining, and I always leave feeling like I checked off two things: schoolwork and socialization! Take advantage of the times you can kill two birds with one stone.

There are days, however, that I need a change of scenery. I live in a very metropolitan area full of cute coffee shops and study spaces, so it’s easy for me. If you’re new to the city your law school is in, or haven’t dedicated time to really getting to know it, take a day to explore or ask other law students where their favorite place to go is – I’m sure there is no shortage. Selfishly, I also feel pretty cool when I set up shop in a cafe. There is no better feeling than getting a coffee to that I want to last for hours (but is actually gone in 5 minutes), stacking my books on the table, and settling in with my headphones playing “Peaceful Piano” music from Spotify. I’m also a people watcher, so sitting in one public space for hours watching everyone come and go is kind of a dream come true.

Even though I prefer a more public setting like the library or a coffee shop, it’s critical you have some type of space where you live that you can study too. I got my desk for pretty cheap on Amazon, along with a comfortable desk chair. Both of which were super easy to set up and haven’t given out on me yet! If you have the ability, it’s smart to try to set up your desk space away from where you sleep so you aren’t tempted to jump into bed. I lived in a two bedroom apartment with a roommate, and now a studio, so I never had this luxury, but I still made it work. Your space should be a reflection of how you want to feel. Keep it tidy, hang up pictures, decorate, and make it a place you feel comfortable in. On those days you just can’t get yourself out of the house to get your readings done, you’ll be happy you took the time to give yourself another option.

Making Time for Your People

Friends, significant others, family; it’s all included here. I would go crazy without my relationships, and I knew before I entered law school that I would make an honest effort to prioritize them. And while I don’t have as much time as I used to, I still feel content with the time I do get to spend with my people.

I am surrounded by people who understand the demands of law school because I communicated that to them. If you have friends or family who know nothing about the challenges you are getting ready to face, talk to them! Let them know that you’ll be busier, but still want to make time for them. If they’re the right people, they’ll understand and even more importantly, they’ll be supportive of your goals. It’s on you though, especially at the start, to plan things. Go back to the calendar model above and follow that. Plan out hangouts with your friends one, two, maybe even 3 weeks in advance. If you get lucky and can do something more spontaneously, that’s just a bonus! My family doesn’t live in my state, so I try to choose one weekend a month to go visit them. Once people see that you’re trying your best to spend time with them, the effort will be reciprocated. And if it’s not, then maybe that’s a person you limit your expectations with. When life gets busy, it becomes quickly revealed who all is truly in your corner.

Some of my friends and I send Google Calendar invites when we want to make time for each other. It feels way more adult than I do, but it’s honestly made things so much easier. I have it logged and I know not to schedule anything else, and I’m also put at ease that it’s set in stone for them, too.

I only have a cat, but I know plenty of people with dogs that require a lot of attention. Obviously pets aren’t people in the literal sense, but when it comes to putting in effort, they’re just as important! Walking, dog parks, vet appointments, and everything else that comes with the responsibility of being a pet owner takes up time. Certain things like walking, feeding, etc. should be worked into your daily schedule, but make sure to stay on top of the other things too. As mentioned, it’s really great when you can get more than one thing done at a time, so if you and a friend both have dogs, try to set up a time to walk them together. You can check off exercise, time with that friend, and time with your dog all at once!

Most Importantly, Health

I mentioned health a bit already, but I still think it requires its own section because that’s how important it is. When your health is compromised, every other aspect of your life starts to become compromised too. I’m all about building the strongest foundation I can so that the rest can all just fall into place. And I’m not just talking physical health. In this day and age, mental health is just as, if not more, important.

To create long-lasting habits, you might have to do some trial and error. Personally, I used to be really into lifting weights. But after a while, I became so much less motivated to go to the gym because I dreaded the workouts. So I changed up my routine and added in more outdoor runs, yoga, walking, and whatever else to keep myself stimulated and excited for that day’s workout. I personally think maintaining a wide array of workout options is the best way to stay engaged in your exercise routine, but if you love running and only running, then focus on that! Just make sure you aren’t overdoing it on any one exercise – injuries suck and will make it much more difficult to return to your well-crafted routine upon recovery.

I started really getting into yoga last summer, right before my first year of law school. I found a studio that offered a much cheaper student membership and loved that I could go on the studio’s app each week and pick the classes that I knew would work for me. It also has a cancellation fee if you cancel the day of, which really kept me committed. In fact, I loved it so much that I took the training class to become an instructor. Now I teach once a week, get a free membership, and get all the perks associated with the community of the studio as a whole. Because that’s the thing, and I know I’ve mentioned it before, but when you find the things you love to do and actively participate in them, you are much more likely to connect with others who share your passions.

Okay, let’s venture away from the physical part of your wellbeing now and focus on mental. Mental health is kind of an umbrella term for me which holds inside of it emotional, spiritual, and intellectual health. There are so many resources you can refer to if you start to feel like your mental health is declining, and luckily, a lot of law schools make those resources very accessible. Some people need medication, others just someone to talk to. The first step is seeking out what is made available to you if you just ask.

I have a ton of friends, in law school and otherwise, who see a therapist. Some go weekly, some only monthly, but it really helps ground them and relieve whatever difficulties they are individually challenged with. Personally, I like to relieve my stress and anxieties with exercise, writing, reading, etc. Others meditate, and many read their religious book of choice. The hardest part is putting in the work. In my experience, finding happiness and maintaining your wellbeing is a series of choices and a never-ending conscious effort. That’s why these habits are sooo important – to make fulfillment easier and sustainable for the rest of your LIFE!

Food is a huge part of this too. I am by no means a dietitian, so I don’t have much authority to speak on this, but I’ll tell you what I do know: balance. Oops, there it is again, the word I will never stop using! But it’s true, balance and moderation is everything. Eat your vegetables and your fruits and drink your water. But also have that ice cream and don’t skimp on the toppings.

If I know one thing about law students, it’s that many of us are very Type A individuals who often give into obsessive habits. Don’t let food become an enemy of yours when it can be a resource. Commit to your meal prep and 64 oz of water a day but also schedule in an ice cream date with your partner. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, and truthfully, it shouldn’t be. Not allowing yourself the little luxuries in life like a greasy, delivery pizza will only cause you to think about it non-stop until you give in more than you might like to and spend the rest of the night/week/month feeling bad about yourself. Again, I don’t know much, but there are professionals who do and they are there for you if you start to feel yourself struggle.

Check in with yourself often. Is your routine working for you? Are you exhausted or motivated? Can you make any little changes to help sustain your schedule long-term? Be honest when you’re asking yourself these questions because you’re the one who has to live your life, so make sure you’re enjoying it. There’s nothing worse than a bad routine but nothing better than when you finally tip the scales and find your perfect balance. Take your time and give yourself some grace.