hi 1st year law student here
So my classes started like 3 weeks back, despite that I still dont seem to be able to get the hang of my classes, more so taking notes in class, my classes are 9-5 which leaves me so drained I cannot do anything else for sometime, I am unable to complete my readings, I somehow skim thru them, which means I go to sleep late , wakeup barely an hour before class and just like that another day goes by same pattern.
I cant seem to study what needs to be done, I am in such poor shape (in every shade of the word) I badly need to start working out too... And because of said lack of preparation on my part i do not participate in class and dread being cold called, feels like I have set myself up for bad shit from the start. This hurts way too much coz I was top of my class in school :(
can you please please help me out I just want some idea of what to do so I can bust some ass and catch up by the time next monday rolls around
Heyy, I completely relate to you, I'm fairly overwhelmed myself. But this shouldn't be happening in your first year, so I'll tell you what I did in my first year to stay on top of my classes:
Plan ahead: So you have a fair idea about how much rest your body needs, prepare a schedule according to that. You have 9-5 classes, so take a nap after 5pm and get working. If your circumstances allow it, try waking up early when noone else is awake, that gives you a couple hours before you classes start, at which time you can do your readings pertaining to that class
Online notes: I'm a very fast texter, so what I'd do is I'd have Google docs where I would keep typing whatever the teacher is saying blindly. Then I'd check it again after the class was done in the 10 min breaks we get between classes. These notes ended up saving my asses later on.
Start incorporating a 20 minute workout sesh in your schedule. After a point, the workout will seem so integral to your routine that you'll automatically shift things around to make space for it
Nutrition: Try fixing your diet. Right now, you'll be sitting in one spot with close to no movement. You need to eat healthy, otherwise you'll definitely suffer health consequences for the same. I have severe back problems from sitting for hours on end.
Enjoy your readings: I feel like you're taking law school as a burden and not an opportunity, which is understandable. The only reason I did the readings in my first year is because I was very excited about correlating it with what's taught in class. Start developing an interest in your stuff, watch YouTube videos on the topic if the text seems tough, it makes understanding easier.
Have friends who are driven: you need to have a peer group that encourages you to be the best version of yourself. You need to find people who you see are active in class and start having a mini competition with them, even if the competition is in your head. This will help you do better, trust me. Have friends with whom you can discuss readings and whom you can approach for help if you don't understand anything.
This is all I can think of right now. Do DM me if you want to talk it out or rant in general. Best of luck💗💗
