Law School Studies: Five Ways to Avoid Procrastination

Are you beginning law school soon? This is a challenge you will need to meet head-on, and preparation is key.

Here are five helpful tips:

1. Head into your first year organized. While it is understandable that you may want to spend your last truly free summer engaged in recreational activities, do yourself a big favor and start setting yourself up for success early on—especially if you tend to be a procrastinator and there is the potential for falling behind quickly. Begin getting your sleep schedule on track, and make sure your living arrangements are stable. Prepare yourself for a stringent schedule (like you would for a full-time job, and then some). Start a new exercise regimen, start eating right if you aren’t already, and think about cutting out the bad stuff like caffeine and alcohol. Upon entering law school, you should have a fresh slate and be ready to dedicate yourself fully. Have your foundation ready!
2. Make a daily schedule, and then stick to it—as challenging as that may sometimes be. Outline your day from waking up to going to sleep, and soon, you will have a structure that you are used to and can be disciplined about keeping. With a broader weekly schedule set up in addition, you can outline exactly what reading assignments are due, what times you will be in class, and any projects that are in the works.
3. Avoid distractions. While there are myriad ways to lose focus at home (or in a more conventional school setting too), put away the social media, turn off the phone, and remind yourself that finishing your studying and all of your academic tasks is a reward to yourself, as you work toward the goal of being a lawyer. This is all for you!
4. Set time limits. If you are having trouble focusing and already know you tend to procrastinate, set a timer for 45 minutes and then take a 15-minute break in between stint, enjoying a walk, a snack, or maybe even a short TV show or phone conversation. Set small incentives for finishing each period. This is all about success—and making the journey as enjoyable as possible.
5. Remind yourself continually why you are climbing this mountain. If you wanted to be an attorney badly enough to find your way into law school, you will also be able to streamline your studies, be successful in your classes, go on to pass the bar, and enjoy the career that you’ve been looking forward to.

Our mission at CDTA College of Law is to educate, train, and develop extraordinary legal advocates. Your legal education will be comprised of bar-tested academic subjects, skills training, and values reinforcement. Upon completion of your 4-year course of study, you will be fully qualified to take and pass the California Bar examination. Call us today at (760) 342-0900 or find out more online here.