Midterms, paper drafts, quizzes, and more are coming fast and furious at law students right now. My students are looking exhausted, glazed, and numb this week. Next week is another heavy deadline week for many students.
Faculty and staff are also looking a bit frayed around the edges with grading, make-up classes, project deadlines, committee meetings, and paperwork. Next week is more of the same.
But then . . . IT WILL BE SPRING BREAK!!!! That week without classes is looking a lot like an oasis in the desert. Faculty are off for the entire break, of course; staff have the last two days of the week off.
Everyone is hanging on.
Here are some tips for all of us to keep motivation and productivity up for next week's final push:
- Avoid expecting perfection. Do the best you can under the circumstances each day and move on without regrets.
- If you cannot do it all juggling school, work, home – delegate. People who care about you are there to help.
- Prioritize your "to do" list so that your energies go to the most important tasks rather than being scattered and ineffective.
- If you need to, ask for help to stay positive and productive. Recruit a personal cheerleader as necessary.
- Make a list of two or three fun things to do over spring break with family or friends.
- At the end of each day, be thankful for three things – no matter how small.
- Rejuvenate yourself with some pampering to counterbalance low energy: a special meal, a massage, an early bedtime, chocolate – you get the idea.
- Take a few minutes each day for meditation, relaxation exercises, soothing music, or inspirational readings.
- Laugh: at yourself, at life, at law school. Instead of chuckles, go for belly laughs!
A respite is in sight. You may not be able to play throughout the entire Spring Break, but you will be able to have more flexibility in your time. (Amy Jarmon)
