How to Approach Spring Break as a 1L

How to Approach Spring Break as a 1L

Spring break can be an interesting time in law school for 1Ls.  Many don’t know whether they should plan a vacation or spend it in the library.  In this point, we provide 1Ls with some options if they find themselves at this very crossroads.  Read on for more information about how to approach spring break as a 1L.

How to Approach Spring Break as a 1L

Take a Break

Approaching spring break 1L might feel overwhelming, especially if you’re already feeling behind in your studies. It’s tempting to dedicate your entire break to studying!  Before you reserve the library for the week, though, consider taking a break.  If you give yourself some time to recharge, you just might find yourself in a better headspace when classes resume.

Now, does this mean that you need to book a week long vacation to a tropical destination?  No! There are plenty things you can do locally to recharge.  Instead, you might spend a few days away from school to visit family or travel locally.  Is there a local museum you want to visit or a local restaurant you’ve been wanting to try?  Spring break is a great time to check off a few items on your to-do list without your law school textbooks in the front of your mind.

If traveling isn’t feasible, don’t underestimate how a staycation can also be a great way to recharge.  Binge watch a tv series you’ve been putting off, pull out a puzzle, or break out the craft supplies!  Stepping away from the books can help you avoid burnout heading into final exams!

Check-in on Outline Progress

Spring break can also be an opportune time to assess your progress with outlines.  Outlining from the start of each semester is crucial for law students. It helps consolidate learning and makes exam preparation more manageable.  If you haven’t started your outlines, yet, or perhaps have fallen behind, spring break can be a great time to catch up.

Now, this doesn’t have to be an all day/every day task.  Instead, try dedicating a couple of hours each day to work on your outlines so you can catch up.  Not sure where to start?  Check out this blog post for comprehensive guidance on creating effective law school outlines.

By devoting some time during your break to outlining, you’ll be in a much better position once classes resume!

Reflect on Your Progress

Spring break offers a unique opportunity for reflection, which can be invaluable to finishing out the year with a strategic mindset.  Check in with your progress so far this semester, and build a strategy moving forward.

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you engage in this self-reflection:

• Are you up-to-date with your course readings? If not, plan a schedule to catch up. This might involve taking a few hours of your spring break to catch up.
• Is there anything you need to revisit? If you found that last real property class to be a confusing mess, spring break can be a great time to revisit your notes or review old cases.  You might even decide that making an appointment for some office hours are in order following spring break.
• How are your outlines coming along? If you’re pretty much caught up, putting together a plan for staying caught up can be incredibly helpful!
• How are you doing? Has this semester been more or less stressful than the last? Do you feel like you understand what’s going on in your classes? Do you feel burned out?  The answers to these questions might also help inform you about how you want to spend your time during your spring break.  If you are feeling burned out, more time away from the books might be in order.  If the idea of falling behind has you stressed, then spending some time catching up or getting ahead might be a better use of your time!

Use this time to realign your goals and strategies for the remainder of the semester. This period of uninterrupted thought can be instrumental in setting a clear path forward.

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