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Written by Jennifer Summers
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Saturday, 05 January 2008 06:34 |
There are few things in life more intense than attending law school. In addition to learning about the many facets of our legal system, you will have to complete in-depth analysis of case law, briefs, and critical papers written by lawyers, judges, and even your own professors! On top of that, you will have to write your own briefs, complete group projects, participate in late-night study sessions, and pass all the requirements necessary to prepare for the Bar Exam.
It's because of these factors that most law schools do not permit students to hold down a job while going through their program. But in order for you to perform at your very best during exams, the Socratic grilling, and study sessions, you need to remain healthy and active. When you eat a healthy diet and take the time to exercise, your mind and body will be able to function more efficiently.
In law school, you will be tested over and over to make sure you understand the law. This is not only mentally challenging, but physically challenging as well. Do yourself a favor and develop good eating habits and exercise habits as soon as possible, so you can meet these challenges and excel in your law program.
Eating Healthy
While you may be tempted to grab a bite to eat between classes or eat fatty or sugary foods during study sessions, try to avoid them. Sugary foods will cause your body and mind to slow down because it takes longer for the body to process sugars. As a result, the body must work harder and save energy during digestion. Have you ever felt tired after eating a dozen cookies? Did you feel like taking a nap after eating a burger and fries from your favorite local fast food place?
Creating a diet plan that's filled with protein, good carbs from fresh fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water will help you stay alert during the day. Depending on your situation – you may have a spouse, children, roommates, or other people in your life that need your attention – your time is limited. When you eat healthy foods, you will notice an increase in energy, increased attention span, and an increase in concentration – all of which you need in order to succeed in law school.
The number one reason why law students do not eat a healthy diet is a lack of time. It's easier to buy pre-made foods than cook each day. But when you create your own diet plan, you can easily prepare foods that are healthy and nutritious without having to spend hours in the kitchen. A sample menu includes:
• Oatmeal with fruit for breakfast
• Granola bar for a mid-morning snack
• Salad with mixed vegetables, chicken, and light dressing for lunch (you can buy healthy salads at fast food restaurants)
• Yogurt or fresh fruit for mid-afternoon snack
• Fish, vegetables for dinner (you can prepare a quick meal in advance and heat it up for dinner or you can create an easy menu plan when you go grocery shopping so you have all the ingredients needed)
• Sweet treat for dessert
As you can see, it isn't difficult or time consuming to eat a healthy diet. Planning in advance is the key to your success. Cooking a few meals on the weekend and freezing them for the upcoming week is a great way to save time. Having a better understanding of your school schedule will help as well.
Even though you may be tempted to grab a burger or have a drink with a friend after a tough class, try to limit this to once a week. When you change your diet, you will notice other changes in your study habits, how you spend your free time, and how you much better you feel when your body is getting the nutrients it needs to function each day.
Staying Active
Another component to staying healthy is to increase your physical activity. Many people enjoy jogging, working out at the gym, group sports activities, or simply walking around their neighborhood. Staying active will help your body digest properly and help your mind maintain focus during the day.
If you're like most law students, you probably spend most of your time sitting and reading or sitting at your computer conducting research and writing. While this is necessary in order for you to become successful, you also need to get away from school work and go outside or spend time with other people. Exercise is a great way to remain social while staying fit.
As with maintaining a healthy diet, you will need to schedule exercise into your daily life. Keep in mind that you are not alone. Other law students have the same difficulties you have, so why not exercise together? There are many parks to jog in. If you can’t take much time to exercise, walk around campus a few times. Exercise will not only help you stay alert, it will also reduce stress – which is what all law students feel from time to time.
Law school is tough. You will face many pressures and challenges during your program. Help yourself as much as possible by eating a diet that's healthy and exercising as much as possible. You will notice a difference in your overall performance, which can help you not only in your career as an attorney, but in many other areas of your life as well.
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