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Students

This information is especially for you!

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Tips and quotes from young lawyers

“To lighten the workload at uni, I formed a study group with my friends to ease the pressures of making exam notes. We each offered to write summaries for one or two topics in a course and then shared our notes with the group. We all ended up doing really well without enduring the same stresses as other students.” Kelly, 27, University of UNSW graduate. 

Figures and statistics about the prevalence and effect of anxiety and depression in law schools

See summary of findings contained in the 2009 Courting the Blues Report by 2011 WA Law Society Report, 2010 Law Council of Australia Report.

For example:

• 41% of law students, 31% of solicitors and 19% of barristers suffer from psychological distress severe enough to justify clinical assessment
• 68.5% of law students experienced significant levels of psychological distress, compared to 42.1% in the general population (aged 18-34)
• 62.6% of solicitors experienced significant levels of psychological distress, compared to 37.1% in the general population (aged 17+)
• 43.9% of law students experienced significant levels of psychological distress, compared to 37.1% in the general population (aged 17+)

Expectations vs 'reality check' of what life as a law student and later, as a legal practitioner, is really like

• You may already have experienced a ‘reality check’ moving from High School to Law School. Entrance marks for Law Schools are extremely competitive (congratulations on making it!). Once in Law School students are marked to a ‘bell curve’ whereby only a minority of students will attain Distinctions and a very slim minority will achieve High Distinctions.
• High marks aren’t the be-all-and-end-all of making it in the legal world. Talk to teachers and lawyers you may know to ask what their experience of practice, particularly early years, was like. Take a look at selection criteria for jobs: you will see they generally cover far more than grades (e.g. teamwork, interpersonal skills and organisational skills)
• Many lawyers spend the majority of their working day inside offices, behind computers, researching and drafting complex written advices, pleadings and letters and not involved in high-profile trials.
• Some paralegals and junior lawyers spend years reviewing and summarising entire rooms full of documents from floor to ceiling in order to establish the relevant facts in issue between the parties in disputed proceedings. This can be very procedural, repetitive, technical work without a great academic aspect.
• In reality the first years of legal practice can consist of solitary hours in front of a computer or in isolated rooms reviewing documents.
• Be prepared for long work hours (up to 60 per week) and little time for personal and family life. You may also be required to work late nights or weekends and to have the ability to remain focused and calm under extreme pressure.
• Most lawyers working in private practice will have a billable budget target. Junior lawyers often work for a number of solicitors and partners who are likely to make competing demands on their time, and you will be less likely to be able to successfully plan and manage your time and your work in order to achieve your billable targets without having to stay back after hours.
• Graduate salaries for lawyers are not overly high. In recent surveys 25% of all lawyers in NSW earned under $50,000; 50% earned under $75,000 and only 15% earned over $150,000.
• Clients rarely say ‘thankyou’ and you may feel your work (blood, sweat and tears) is met with little gratitude (and another mountain of work!).
• Career advancement is not easy or quick in most workplaces.
• It is unlikely you will be involved in matters or work that allows you to fundamentally question or change the law.
• You may not have the opportunity to work closely with or learn directly from senior lawyers.

University Mental Health Benefits

It all depends on which University you attend, but a lot of universities will provide confidential counselling services to their students. Check your student handbook or equivalent.

Useful strategies to help students manage their depression

• First and foremost, be willing to seek professional help! This doesn’t necessarily have to cost you anything – e.g. university counselling programs. These programs are free to all students, are completely confidential and can cover a vast range of skills from time and stress management, to dealing with family pressures, coping with life-events, and coping with depression, anxiety, substance issues and more.
• University mentoring programs (to assist with professional guidance) or skills workshops.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Make time for friends and family, and for yourself (to unwind, reflect, have fun and not think about uni) – set aside ‘downtime’ just for you.
• Physical activity (including exercise) – exercise releases endorphins which naturally make you feel happier and more energetic. Getting outside, into the sun, can have an easy, positive effect on your mood and outlook.
• Exercise and ‘downtime’ helps relax your mind so you can think better. Ironically, letting yourself not work for a scheduled period can improve your work (whilst helping you become happier and healthier).
• Eat well.
• Stay organised – make a weekly and yearly planner, even a daily planner for particularly busy times such as, exam periods.
• Don’t over commit yourself – don’t be afraid to say ‘no’.
• Set aside a realistic amount of time for tasks (class readings, essays, exam prep, etc).
• Reward yourself for your achievements, and remind yourself of your achievements each week.
• Prioritise your tasks, including a personal life.
• Form study groups.
• Discuss your work. Law students can tend toward perfectionism. Sometimes talking about or sharing our work ‘in progress’ can help us realise the value of our work and more effectively invest time in the parts that really need improvement, rather than spending too long on parts that are already very good.
• Take advantage of online forums that may exist for your classes.
• Approach your teacher for advice or with particular questions.
• Embrace teamwork. As well as being a great way of alleviating stress and keeping in touch with others in similar circumstances, it is an integral aspect of legal practice. Many job applications will involve selection criteria around teamwork, and you will immediately become part of a team when you go into practice.
• Practice stress management techniques (e.g. breathing and mindfulness).
• Don’t drink too much alcohol or caffeine.
• Be aware that the good habits you start at University are likely to stay with you throughout your legal career – take care of yourself and practice leading a balanced life.
• Give thought to why you are studying law: 
  • What do you enjoy about it? 
  • What made you want to be a lawyer? What inspires you?
  • What personal attributes, skills, experiences do you have that give you a unique perspective?
  • Where would you like to see your legal studies and career take you?
• If there is a particular area of law that interests you but you don’t feel your studies are covering it, look into other associations that exist, events and seminars, or start your own reading or conversation group on the area. For example, if you enjoy advocacy then consider getting involved in mooting. If you are interested in human rights, there are a range of organisations and events available, or you could consider an internship. 
• It is NOT okay to sacrifice your mental or physical wellbeing for your legal career. Accept whatever assistance you can, and employ whatever strategies, to keep your health and happiness whilst completing your studies. These strategies and skills will prove as valuable as any legal knowledge legal skills as you progress your career.

What students can do to help others who they think might be experiencing depression

• Talk to the person about how they’re feeling and listen to what they’re saying
• You could ask the person for a coffee or to do something social, where you can relax and chat
• Indicate to them that you’ve noticed a change in their behaviour
• Encourage them to seek professional help and/or to talk to others about what they’re experiencing (friends, family and teachers as appropriate)
• Encourage them to exercise, eat well and stay involved in social activities
• Keep in touch with the person and encourage close friends/family to do same
• DON’T pressure them to ‘snap out of it’ or ‘cheer up’
• DON’T stay away or avoid them
• DON’T tell them they just need to keep busy or get out more
• DON’T pressure them to party more or wipe out how they’re feeling with alcohol or drugs
• DON’T just assume the problem will go away