This week we welcome back guest writer Tiffany Lo to talk about some ideas for care packages to make a law student in your life feel appreciated and cared for!

It is no secret that law school is hard and the legal profession has a serious mental health issue. I have experienced and seen first-hand the stress and anxiety that law students face, and have admired students’ and law schools’ efforts to alleviate these challenges, such as organizing study breaks or providing a therapist.

With many friends starting law school this fall, I started reflecting upon what would have made my transition into law school life more painless. And recently, in preparation for lunch with a dear friend and incoming 1L, I assembled a care package for her.

Now, I would like to share a list of things that could go into a care package for the law student in your life. Some of things are practical, while others are fun, but they all are important in my book.

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This week we welcome back guest writer Hillary Vaillancourt to talk about what to do if you’re facing burnout as a law or bar student.

Going to law school, studying for the bar exam, and practicing law (or doing much of anything, frankly) has been a stressful experience since 2020 began over a year ago. To say the least, right? Law school and the bar exam are stressful enough to begin with let alone without the added issues 2020, and now 2021, bring to us.

I can relate. Since the end of 2019, I have taken the bar exam, changed jobs, almost lost my brother to a mysterious illness, renovated a house, started my own law practice, moved into a new house, been pregnant, gave birth, had my stepson move in with my family, and had a newborn…all during the pandemic, and all while caring for a toddler.

Honestly, one thing I can say with certainty is I fully understand stress.

Here’s the thing about stress: when you don’t even realize it, it can become too much. It piles on incrementally until one day you don’t feel like doing anything. Not one thing. But, that stack of papers, those practice exams, none of that goes away so easily. You still have to do your job, take care of your family, and get through your day. Now into 2021, stress is still going to be around.

But, there are healthy ways to deal with stress so you don’t get burned out to a crispy crunch.

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