simplyconfused Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 Just wanted to say, whenever my exams are coming up im feeling depressed. However i try not to i leave everything for last minute and then i really don't know how i do manage to get decent grades, but now same thing is happening, my exams are coming up im stressed out and depressed and it feels horrible. feel like crying all the time. Has anyone been in similar situation? Link to post Share on other sites
HoldOn Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 Last semester I cried several times during finals weeks. I was absolutely sure I didn't know any thing and had failed all my tests. Then I ended up getting very high grades. top 3% of my law school class. So, this semester I feel the fear and panic rising inside me and I remind myself that last semester I thought I would fail and I did great. Even though I still have a slight break down once in a while. Here are some tips: -Remember, the world will not end if your grades aren't amazing. -It is not an indication of your worth as a person. -worrying doesn't help, in fact it hurts you because you should be studying not worrying. -You could meet with professors if you have quesitons or form a study group. -Visualize yourself sitting down at the test and knowing all the answers. -Tell yourself how good you are going to be, instead of how bad you are. -See a counselor at school to help you. Hope this helps! What are you studying? Link to post Share on other sites
Author simplyconfused Posted April 23, 2005 Author Share Posted April 23, 2005 Law as well Thanks a lot. I talked to one of my mates today and she feels the same and it made me feel better. I mean I wish she didn't but that just means it's not just me feeling all under pressure. I do feel like i don't know anything as well though..I try to tell myself what you said..world is not gonna end. Good luck with your exams. I'll try to stop worrying. Will do what i have to and what happens happens... Link to post Share on other sites
ConfusedInOC Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 Ex cries all the time as her classes are really hard. So while I can't emphathize, I can sympathize. It'll be over one day, I promise. Link to post Share on other sites
HoldOn Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 Originally posted by simplyconfused Law as well Thanks a lot. I talked to one of my mates today and she feels the same and it made me feel better. I mean I wish she didn't but that just means it's not just me feeling all under pressure. I do feel like i don't know anything as well though..I try to tell myself what you said..world is not gonna end. Good luck with your exams. I'll try to stop worrying. Will do what i have to and what happens happens... I think law school is one of the most stressful things to go through. I often have tension headaches and just feel like I am not going to make it through! Just take one test at a time. You are not as far behind as you think. Link to post Share on other sites
XNemesisX Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 I go through this as well...in fact I'm going through it right now! I can only imagine that law school is about 100x worse than the stress I go through (I'm undergraduate). I think that my procrastination got worse this semester since it's my last semester and I have senioritis REALLY bad. I can barely manage to go to class at all. I also tend to wait til the last possible second to get something done. I've always had a problem with procrastination. Heck, I'm doing it right now. Instead of catching up on assignments I need to be doing I'm sitting here on LS! Link to post Share on other sites
faux Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 I stressed out so badly last semester, but still managed a 4.00. I have a research paper due in less than two weeks, and I have yet to write one page of it. I just remind myself that I have read through all of my sources, and that I have been taking numerous notes and thinking of how I want to approach the paper. Reminding myself that I have gotten something done helps. I also tend to believe I am doing far worse than I actually am. I tend not to worry about finals, and choose instead to worry more on end of the semester projects that are due. I never had test anxiety, but deadlines for projects cause me all sorts of problems. I know that I will finish everything I need to, one way or the other. Originally posted by XNemesisX I also tend to wait til the last possible second to get something done. I've always had a problem with procrastination. Heck, I'm doing it right now. Instead of catching up on assignments I need to be doing I'm sitting here on LS! I have already managed to finish what I had scheduled for today. I will be in trouble tomorrow if I do not have some of my research paper written down, though. I find that planning out a reasonable list of "things to do" helps me. So long as I get those core things done to some extent, I know I have some time to relax. Link to post Share on other sites
HoldOn Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 I can only imagine that law school is about 100x worse than the stress I go through You can't imagine! JK... though it is hard to understand. With good law school grades you are pretty much guaranteed a job at 125k per year. Without those grades... well it's a crap shoot. (I think) So as a law student, you feel like your ENTIRE future rests on your freaking gpa. I find that planning out a reasonable list of "things to do" helps me. Yes, perfect advice. Simply confused, are you doing outlines. I have a checklist for each class. -Finish total outline -Shorten outline -type up VERY short outline -memorize it -practice exam #1 and #2 -Real exam. Checking these off really makes you feel like you've accomplished something. Yes, I know I am anal retentive... but how do you think I got those grades last semester! Link to post Share on other sites
Author simplyconfused Posted April 24, 2005 Author Share Posted April 24, 2005 Thank you so much for your advices and support! Like faux i do try to plan out how many days are left (till my "death") and what I still got to do (which is usually pretty much everything). I'm terrible in terms of discipline so say and so now I totally deserve what im getting. Everytime i swear to myself I won't leave stuff till last minute again and still end up doing it oh well just trying to do my best now. xnemesis nothing can be worse than law school, though of course my opinion is inevitably bias, but hope it'l make you feel better Good luck to all of you! Link to post Share on other sites
HotCaliGirl Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 Am I glad those days are over! I used to go through the same thing, quarter after quarter. I would even pass out and get sick, trying to study everything to get the best grade. The memory is going to make me vomit Good luck...I don't know any way around it. Link to post Share on other sites
gersanos Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 With good law school grades you are pretty much guaranteed a job at 125k per year. I am a law student myself and just finished 1L. I don't think that's an accurate statement because so many factors come into play. No guarentees whatsoever. One of my friends got a full scholarship to a good school, got great grades, interned, passed the bar his first time around, and is hoping to get a job around roughly 40k, but of course, he wants the courtroom experience so he is going for prosecution. My neighbor's best friend went to U of Virginia, a great law school, graduated in the top 10% of her class, but took her more than 2 years to pass the bar. She fell into quite a bit of depression after she failed it her first time around. Don't know how much she's making or where she's practicing nowadays. My good friend's sister went to a highly ranked tier 2 school, did well, and worked 60-70 hours a week her first year out of school for under 40k in defense. But, after her first year, she received a raise of 10k. I believe that the growth rate is greater in the legal realm than in other professions. I think it's a common misconception among prospective law students, as well as maybe some current law students. The reality is, unless you're from the top tier, or maybe even the top half of the top tier of schools, with excellent grades, AND getting into a certain practice of law, you will not start off at that kind of money. We all have to start off at the bottom, just like any profession. It happens, but it is rare where someone hands over that kind of salary and tremendous responsibility to someone that just graduated law school and has minimal, if any, work experience to date. Unfortunately, half of my section never worked a day in their lives. Many successful law students do not turn out to be very successful attorneys. The most important attibutes and qualities of a great/successful attorney is not taught in the classroom. Just like a high LSAT score does not mean that you will be a successful law student. I do know one girl that IS starting off at 125k right out of school. She also graduated in the top 3% out of U of Illinois. But she will also work no less than 80 hours a week. 125k is a great starting salary. I can say that I would not mind that at all. But it depends on what you want to do. Many people do not want the big law lifestyle. Some want to make good money, and still have the ability to spend it. Many people go and clerk once they get out of school. Terrible pay, great experience. Same can be said if you get into JAG or some other program. The pay is not great, but the experience will go a long way for you. It's like when I was in undergrad. A professor once said "Be nice to your A students: they will publish, win nobel prizes, etc. Be very nice to your C students, those are the ones that will make millions one day and come back to the school and donate." A degree, regardless of what it is in, is simply a tool. How you use that tool is what matters. High GPA's DO open doors, but it depends on what each individual person is seeking, and more importantly, how well you perform in the real world. Work ethic is important, but work ethic is not what leads to promotion and raises. Safe hands, great aptitude, and the ever important ability to schmooze is what matters in law, business, etc. Little entrepreneaurial (I cant spell) spirit doesn't hurt either. I wanted to chime in because so many law students go into law for the wrong reasons. Many expect a great big salary. Well, the reality is that there is more money in business than in law. An MBA from a great school will yield a better salary with less stress than a JD degree. Also, wielding a law degree does not grant a holier than though status. The power and the title that comes with being an attorney is appealing. Some people also think "Law and Order" and think that it's a very glamorous profession. It has prestige, but most of the work is anything but glamorous. It takes a certain type of person to do the work. It is a "calling" as an attorney once told me. I did my research tremendously before going to law school. I am not about to dish out an investment of 100k+, work my heart out for 3 years, and then realize that I can't stand the practice of law and decide to go into a different arena of work. But my point of differentiation, a JD is one of the most flexible degrees on the planet. Ok, I think I'm done now. Link to post Share on other sites
SexKitten Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 i hated finals too...so i became an english major, and that was the end of finals. everyone else at school is still taking finals, and i've been done since 11am last friday. law school, however, is going to be a challenge when it comes to testing...i've gotten so used to just writing that it'll be a shock to have to study again. i understand your final pain...be an english major!!! good luck, hun, it sucks but it WILL end and it'll feel soooooooo good. Link to post Share on other sites
HoldOn Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 Well, I WANT to work in big law. It's true that grades aren't the only thing you need, but you DO need them! So,, the stress continues. I know that it's going to be a lot of work, but I'm only going to do it for 3-5 years, because I want to work less when I have kids. Link to post Share on other sites
gersanos Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 HoldOn: Then you are right on track. I didn't know from your post what you are aiming for. I just know that many go into law school thinking that it means 125k a year, which it can, but many dreams become shattered. Yes, you DO need the grades to even have a shot at it. No amount of charm will get you in, unless of course you have an inside connection. On a side note, I don't know if you are nearing graduation or not, but have you begun to prepare for interviews? I clerked starting my second semester of 1L with a small firm that is located by the campus, but the interview process was a joke with them. Not that difficult at all, and not too demanding, but they are a very small firm. I havn't researched how the interview process is like with biglaw. Are they multiple days, or 1 entire day? Link to post Share on other sites
HoldOn Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 I havn't researched how the interview process is like with biglaw. Are they multiple days, or 1 entire day? I'm ending my first year. Second final exam is tomorrow! Ahh! I'm going to do On Campus Interviews next fall to get a job for my second summer. They say you'll get a permanent job offer 90% of the time from your second summer job. So... that means my future is basically based entirely on my first year grades... So, for the on campus interviews you do your first interview on campus, then they invite you to the firm for your second interview. I should know about my summer job for next year by november. From my 1st semester grades, I'm in the top 10%. So I am stressing becuase I want to stay in the top 10%! Link to post Share on other sites
SadAndLonely Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 I'm graduating (just with my bachelor's) in a little more than two weeks. I'm taking 17 credits this semester, as usual, getting straight A's, recently had major surgery, recently found out my mom has skin cancer, have had a lot of duties recently as Vice Chair of my student org., and haven't seen my boyfriend a whole lot because I've had so many projects. In other words, I'm getting my ass kicked. I've been crying a lot from stress and feelings of worthlessness. School really takes a lot out of you, especially toward the end. And especially when you're about to graduate and know that your life is about to change. So yeah, I can relate. Keep your chin up. Even though more and more people are going to college, only 20% (at least in my city) have college degrees. In other words, you're doing something great. Link to post Share on other sites
Lil Honey Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 I'm in school as well and the stress is unbelievable. I was pretty sick last term, yet I looked at a student who had to watch her mom get sick and pass away. Then I thought I had it easy. I have learned that stress is something that we seem to "do" to ourselves. We expect too much from ourselves. We expect perfection when there is no such thing. I would get all stressed, worrying about all the things in my life and wanting excellent grades besides. I think I was either near a nervous breakdown or a heart attack. One day, when I was with my mom, she looked so worried about me. I made a decision right then and there. I told her, "You know what, Mom? I am NOT going to do this to myself. It isn't worth it. I am just not going to care anymore. I am going to take that exam, do the best that I can and move on." Surprisingly enough, since I've let myself relax a bit, things have become easier. Since then, I've tried something very much not like me . . . I don't study. I read the chapter the day before the exam or the day of the exam, then I take the exam. Everything is fresh in my mind. I sit down to take the exam, take a deep breath and tell myself to think through each question, use common sense and do my best. Now, sometimes I get near 90%. Other times I get over 90%. But it doesn't matter to me anymore. The pressure is off - and I can breathe. Currently, I'm just stressed over finally finishing while getting my kids' grad party taken care of. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
pinenuts Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 lookie at you future lawyers, heehee... i myself first year med student. In order to be less nerve-wracking it is not too bad to always have a back up plan. speaking of laws, if any one of you could help out with this situation: two,been wedded for 2 years,seeking a tranquil divorce, living in two different state, with prenuptial. Is there ways of getting it done without travel to another state? background: no offspring, financial independent, no mutual assets. Link to post Share on other sites
SexKitten Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 Originally posted by ConfusedInOC Ex cries all the time as her classes are really hard. So while I can't emphathize, I can sympathize. It'll be over one day, I promise. Sympathy vs. Empathy What is the difference between sympathy and empathy? Sympathy is feeling sorry for the person. It sends the message that if the person gives up or doesn't get started that it is understandable. It says the person is 'justified' in quitting, giving up hope, refusing to get help. Empathy says you can put yourself in the other person's shoes because you've been in similar situations. It also says you can survive this situation and move on. It says there is no excuse for not continuing to work on the problem and do your best. It says you understand but don't accept the status quo. Quite a difference! There is no room for sympathy in education! Students will only improve with empathy Link to post Share on other sites
HoldOn Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 Originally posted by pinenuts lookie at you future lawyers, heehee... i myself first year med student. In order to be less nerve-wracking it is not too bad to always have a back up plan. speaking of laws, if any one of you could help out with this situation: two,been wedded for 2 years,seeking a tranquil divorce, living in two different state, with prenuptial. Is there ways of getting it done without travel to another state? background: no offspring, financial independent, no mutual assets. Sorry, they don't teach divorce law in the first year. Plus, that would be a state law and would totally depend on what state you were in. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts