Overwhelm. If I had to describe my most recent coaching sessions in one word, undoubtedly that word would be overwhelm. At this point in the semester, the daily coursework is coming at a fast and furious pace, and I’m on the sidelines reminding students that simply doing class prep isn’t enough. Midterms and final exams seem far away, so students don’t want to focus on improving their test-taking skills. Somewhat ironically, they don’t have the time to talk about time management (which, incidentally, is the best time to talk about time management). What they want is the emotion associated with overwhelm—be it anxiety, anger, helplessness, or panic—to go away. That makes sense. I know how uncomfortable overwhelm can be.
There are tangible consequences of operating in a state overwhelm. As Dr. David Rock explains in Psychology Today, overwhelm “can use up what is actually a limited supply of attention each day, and make us far less effective if we need to do deeper thinking work.” If done correctly, that’s all that law school is: deeper thinking work. So how do you cast aside overwhelm to focus on getting the job done? Here are a few tips:
1. Don’t compare and despair. It’s not a helpful thinking style. I’ll be honest here, compare and despair is a dear friend of mine. In this social-media-laden culture where I am raising teen kids without a manual (I like rules), compare and despair seems logical to me. For example, if I overhear a mother talking about how she hasn’t let her child have social media yet, I instantly think I’m doing it all wrong.
In law school, compare and despair goes something like this: I have no idea what I’m reading. All of my briefs are wrong. I am wasting too much time. It takes me too long to read. I’m the only one not getting this. I should know this already. I don’t know if I’m up to the task. This work is coming naturally to everyone else.
The experts talk about upward and downward comparisons and explain that upward comparisons (to people who possess traits that you admire) may be helpful because they prompt self-reflection and perhaps motivation. In my opinion, that rarely seems the case in law school. In the marathon of law school, it is imperative that you focus on your own race. Some students will be faster, others will be slower, but you are all heading toward the same destination. Letting go of comparisons is a key step that will allow you to get there.
2. Accept what is offered. Academic success programs across the country teach students how to read more efficiently and effectively. This very site has 12 podcast episodes (12 blog entries) that you can listen to or read in a single afternoon. These lessons apply to you no matter where you are in your academic journey. The minimal time investment required to engage with this material will diminish your anguish and increase your productivity. Instead of perseverating on how ineffective your methods may be, try to better them. Help is available.
3. Work on your stamina, not intensity. You won’t get a first prize trophy for pulling an all nighter to get your torts briefs in perfect shape (as if there is such a thing). To the contrary, the sleep deprivation caused by this level of intensity has been proven to impact your ability to learn and focus. Listen to or read my short episode on persistence (Mind Matters Topic 2). Your focus needs to be on consistency rather than intensity.
Let’s put this in another context: you go to a restaurant. Your meal during your first visit is perhaps the best you’ve ever eaten—bordering on a spiritual experience. Your meal during your second visit is mediocre at best. On the third visit, you have a meal that’s somewhere between the first two; it’s somewhat good but not great. Think of a different restaurant. You visit that restaurant three times and have a consistently good meal. On a fourth visit, where would you rather spend your hard-earned money? Consistently strong study habits build the momentum you’ll need for mid-terms and final exams.
4. Remember that you are not alone. If you suspect that overwhelm is resulting in depression, seek help. You are not the first or the last law student to do so. Mental health issues like anxiety and depression are pervasive in our society. Perhaps you saw the Facebook post that went viral this summer: it pictured a mountain of dishes and said “this is what depression looks like.” https://www.today.com/health/what-does-depression-feel-woman-s-facebook-post-goes-viral-t132743 I have provided a list of mental health resources at the end of Mind Matters 4: Evolve and Be Kind.
In the coaching sessions focused on overwhelm, my students and I talk concrete strategies and I encourage. Encourage yourself to move past overwhelm and work consistently toward your goals. As the well-known proverb says, “slow and steady wins the race.”