Counsel’s Counsel is the world’s preeminent advice column for law students. Written by recent UVA Law graduate, Jane Doe, J.D./
Question:
Hi! I’m a 1L, and I’m kind of freaking out. It’s my second semester here, so I feel like I should be on top of things, but I’m not. I’m such a slow reader, and there’s all these clubs and events. I can’t keep up. I’m drowning, and I don’t remember the last time I felt not behind. What’s worse is that we aren’t that far into the semester. Do you have any tips on time management?
Answer:
I appreciate the honesty and vulnerability in your question. I would hate to be in your position. It truly sounds awful.
Your PAs probably said, “Do whatever works for you,” but it appears that you did that, and it didn’t work. You’re a slow reader, so your brain is broken, but that’s fine! For slow readers in the legal profession, not behind is a thing of myth. Luckily, not behind doesn’t exist in the legal profession anyway. The more you get done, the higher your expectations are for getting things done. Then, you take on more responsibilities, and so on. It’s like the hedonic treadmill, but for production instead of pleasure. Accept your fate—you aren’t behind, you’re simply a law student.
All that to say, it’s not that big of a deal to be a slow reader. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. To better manage your time, take a hard look at how you spend your days. Cut out activities that don’t directly support your goals. Some great advice I got from one of our deans is to stop calling your family and friends from home as much, since doing so can be a distraction. You might also consider sleeping less. People sleep about a third of their lives away, and at least a couple of hours each day would be better allocated to reading than sleeping.
The good news is that these tips apply beyond law school into your professional career. One drawback is that you will be sadder generally, but the juice is worth the squeeze.
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