Tag: Mental Health

Grades Are Out – Now What?

Posted on by Sarah Dixon-Morgan

Whether your grades are not what you expected, or you didn’t get the rank you wanted, or any other feeling of grief during this time, it is completely normal and valid. As high-achieving, highly-competitive individuals in law school, it can be hard to adjust to a relentless curve and a grading system that doesn’t reflect how much you know but reflects how you compare to others. No matter how much you prepare and study, you cannot control how others do on the exam – which is the ultimate determination for your grades, at least in the first year of law school.

It’s tough. But there are so many people on campus here to support you. The Wellness Initiative’s event Grades Are Out – Now What? helped provide some context to “grade grief” – the immense disappointment or anxiety felt after receiving grades that don’t meet your usual performance or standards.

You can watch the recording of that session below. Here’s a recap of some things Dr. Cornish and Alex-Marie Baez shared that may be helpful as you persevere:

  • Remember why you came to law school in the first place. You have unique and spectacular skills and abilities that got you here. Don’t forget how amazing you are.
  • Each semester going forward, set manageable goals for yourself. Instead of striving for As in every class, set a goal to prioritize your mental health, drink at least two cups of water, go for a walk three times a week, or make time to do an activity you love.
  • If you are completely unsatisfied with your academic performance, ask yourself: How can I be more efficient with my time to study/work better? Evaluate how you take notes and study. Take inventory of what worked and what didn’t.
  • Remember that success is unique to you. No one can define success for you. Don’t compare your journey to others. While we are all ranked and graded against each other, the law school journey is unique for every individual.

Virtual 5K & May Events

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On Sunday, May 3rd, the Wellness Initiative will be hosting a Virtual 5K to raise funds for the Helen Wilkinson Student Emergency Fund. There is a suggested donation of $10 to participate. Donate here.

Join us for Wellness Events during the first week of May! Dr. Cornish, resident Albany Law counselor, will be giving exam tips on 5/5 via Zoom. Dean Queenan, Olivia, and Carly will be hosting a show and tell for the children of students, staff, and faculty on 5/6 at noon. On 5/6 at 5:30 pm, Rugby and the Wellness Initiative will be co-hosting a CardioYoga class! NOTE: Dr. Cornish is also still available for private sessions via Zoom. Contact him to arrange a time if you are in need.

As always, contact Olivia, Carly, or Dean Queenan with any questions or concerns!

Sharp Knives Aren’t Only for Chefs – Law Students Need Them Too

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By Nicholas Wall, 2L

“Sometimes you have to sharpen the knife to keep cutting.” It is a simple concept, really. To cut something, you have to have a sharp knife. No sharp knife, no cutting. In a less metaphoric sense, sometimes you have to take some time to relieve stress or do something fun, in order to continue producing your best work.

I heard it first from my girlfriend’s dad, a NJ lawyer who specializes in family law. “If you wake up and only live, breathe, and speak law school, you’re going to go crazy,” he said to me when I was stressed about potentially missing an entire Saturday of schoolwork in order to play in a rugby game. However, I don’t think he expected me to take the saying to heart as much as I have. Now more than ever we need to have a sharp knife. As Meghna pointed out in an earlier post, many of us have personal goals and expectations; and with the semester coming to a screaming, fiery, NASCAR-highlights level end, we need to have the sharpest knife possible to achieve those goals.

Now, everybody has different ways that they destress or have fun, so I won’t try to make an all-inclusive list. I asked around what people do and thought I would pass along what they said:

  1. Watch a new show. Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming sites are a law student’s kryptonite. However, if you’re able to do so in moderation, watching an episode of a new show while you eat or right before bed could be perfect.
  2. Get outside (respect the distancing). Getting outside when the weather’s nice and doing something you like to do will do wonders for your sanity. Personally, I thought this would be a great time to work on my rugby kicking. But if rugby isn’t your thing, (as it should be) go for a small hike, bike ride, or take a minute to work on your golf swing.
  3. Schedule Zoom meetings with friends. Just because we can’t physically hang out with our friends, doesn’t mean we can’t see them. Finding the time when everybody has a bit of free time to schedule a virtual hang out and catch up is an excellent way to destress.
  4. Watch a live music show or Broadway musical. In the wake of the shutdown there are a ton of channels popping up on YouTube that are offering free live shows or concerts from past performances.
  5. Read. No seriously, some people like to do that outside of law textbooks. Wind down at the end of the day, go outside (see above), or just take a few minutes to pick up that book that’s been waiting for you.
  6. Stay active. Doing yoga, running, lifting heavy things like taking out the trash, playing with your dog, these are just a few ways to continue to stay active. It is proven that keeping up with being active will mean you have a better ability to recall information when needed. This is essential for the end of the semester.

Again, this is not meant to be the end-all list. If there is something that is your go to for when you need a break, do that! Continue keep your eye on the goal, but remember, sometimes you have to sharpen the knife in order to keep cutting!