Hello, World.
I thought it would be interesting if I shared what a typical day in my life is like. I get a lot of questions about law school, and what it really looks like. I know a lot of people watch movies about it or have heard the horror stories, but I think its hard to know what law school is actually like until you’re in it. I will also give a general disclaimer – law school can vary based on school, location, and personality type. All students handle law school a little differently. While this is my “daily life” as a law student, it looks different than both my roommates and most of my friends. We all have (slightly or very) different routine. I don’t really think there’s a best way to law school. As long as you are doing well, you’re doing something right.
So, let’s dive into my day:
Anywhere from 6:00 am – 8:00 am: Wake up.
I realize this is a large range. I will say I usually get up around 7:15, but some days I get up a bit early to do reading and other days I sleep in a bit later if I need to. I will often wake up at 7-ish, and lay in bed, checking my email, looking at Instagram, and reading the Skimm.
7:45 am or 8:00 am to 8:45 am: Shower, get dressed, do makeup and hair, make bed.
This also probably seems like a while. While I get ready, I often watch Youtube videos, listen to makeup, make a to do list for the day.
8:45 am – 9:30 am: take final notes, plan my day, and eat breakfast.
I listen to music, eat my breakfast (usually avocado toast, sometimes oatmeal with banana), and fill out important things in my calendar. I also double check my calendar, and update it if needed.
9:30 am – 10:00 am: go to law school for class.
I try to leave the house at a similar time each day, and everyday my first class is at 10:00 am. The rest of my can vary a LOT, depending on what classes I have that day. I tried to pick the schedule that tends to be most consistent, though.
10:00 am – 12:45 pm: Classes.
On Wednesdays I have my writing class and Constitutional law in the morning.
12:50 pm – 1:50 pm: Lunch Hour
William and Mary Law doesn’t have classes during this hour, so there are a lot of lunch meetings. Sometimes I will go see speakers, sometimes I will get work done in the cafe, and sometimes I will run off campus to get a coffee and lunch. My lunch hour tends to vary.
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm: Class
In the afternoon, I have property. Last semester I had torts at this time. I’m not a huge fan of afternoon classes, but unfortunately they are very common in law school.
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: change, go to gym.
I usually spend a good portion of the afternoon getting in a good workout. I bike and use the elliptical most days. Some days I do squats, lunges, crunches, etc. I try to mix up my routine everyday because I get bored when I do the same sequence.
5:15 pm – 6:30 pm: cook dinner, eat, do some email management while I eat or watch Gilmore Girls (or whatever else I feel like watching).
6:30 pm – 7:45 pm: read/do work.
This time is usually spent reading for my classes, outlining if its later in the semester, or working on a memo for my writing class.
7:45 pm- 8:00 pm: get snack/dessert.
Usually lactose free cookies and cream ice cream or popcorn.
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm: read/do work
See above!
9:30 pm – 11:00 pm: call home, watch Netflix, browse social media.
At the end of a long day, I light candles in my room, get into bed, and will usually begin winding down by calling my family. I talk to them for a bit, then watch Netflix while browsing social media (usually Instagram).
11:05 pm: lights out.
There you have it! I tend to try to stay pretty consistent, so even if my days don’t look exactly alike, my weeks are all pretty similar. I have a slightly altered routine for each day, depending on course schedule and meetings.
I hope this was interesting!
Truly,
Callie leigh