Law School Final Exams: My Daily Routines to Leave You Feeling Great

Now, I know what you're thinking--a Type-A law student loves routines? It's very shocking, I know. Having a daily routine is so comforting to me. It's nice to know how to get myself started each day and how to wind down each night. 

Final exams can be a tough time to stick to your routines because there's so much pressure on you to focus on studying all the time. I know I've struggled each semester to maintain my work-life balance, and having a routine that's easy for me to stick to has helped out a lot. 

Keep reading to learn more about my morning and night routines, as well as some tips to help you create your perfect routines. 

My Morning Routine

6:30-7:00 AM

I try to wake up between 6:30 and 7:00 each morning, although I will admit I'm not always successful with this. There are definitely some mornings where my alarm goes off and I'll determine that I need the extra rest. My cat will usually wake me up around this time, anyway, so it can be a bit hard to ignore him wanting some attention. 

7:00-8:00 AM

Working out for me has changed a lot over the years. I used to think it was sticking to doing arms one day each week, legs another day, etc., but I'm not as into that as I am now. As long as I get my body moving, I'm happy. So, for my workout, I'll go on a walk, do some yoga or Pilates, or do some cardio kickboxing. 

Some days, I wake up and don't feel like working out, and that's totally okay. I always like to check in on myself when I wake up like this and see what I need to feel my best that day. Always remember to give yourself grace. 

8:00-9:00 AM

After working out, I'll spend some time showering, doing my skincare, and getting ready for the day. I'll also make a quick breakfast and a coffee. Breakfast is probably my favorite meal, so I don't like to skip it in any capacity. It's so important to eat in the morning to set yourself up for success. Once I'm ready, I'll go along with whatever I have scheduled for the day. 

My Night Routine

8:00 PM

Depending on how busy I am, I will try to end my day around 8:00 PM if possible. If I have an exam the next day, I definitely aim to relax as much as I can the night before so I don't burn myself out. Ending the day for me means closing my computer, getting away from my desk, and focusing on myself instead of studying. 

8:00-8:30 PM

Once I chang emy mindset from one focused on studying to one focused on getting ready for the next day, I do my skincare. This is a bit more involved than my morning skincare since your skin loses a lot of moisture overnight. 

After my skincare routine, I'll put my hair up in two braids that I always sleep in and change into something comfy to wear for bed. 

8:30-9:30 PM

I like to journal at the end of my day. This can range from responding to prompts I find online to making a list of things I was grateful for throughout the day to brain-dumping to get all my anxious thoughts out. I've found that journaling is so helpful and gets me out of my head, which can happen pretty easily for me. 

After I journal, I like to read a bit for fun. I used to read a lot before law school, but got away from that habit once 1L hit and I spent most of my time bent over casebooks. I've been trying to get back into reading for fun, so I try to set either a number of pages/chapters I want to read or a certain amount of time I want to read. 

9:30-10:00 PM

It's time for bed! I'm still working on not scrolling through my phone while I try to fall asleep, but I've definitely been getting better. I also always check whether my alarm for the morning is set. 

Creating Your Routine

Be Kind to Yourself

As someone who can be pretty hard on herself, I understand how it can feel when you don't immediately fall into a routine. But, it's important to be kind to yourself and pick yourself back up after a day where you don't hit all your goals. Your routine will establish itself as long as you stay consistent, and being down on yourself won't help. 

Start Small

It's tough to start any new habit, let alone an entire routine. What can help with that is to start with small habits and keep it to just a few habits within your routine. This can be something like making your bed every morning, drinking a certain amount of water, or waking up at a certain time every morning. Also, like I mentioned above, make sure to be kind to yourself when you first start working on your routine--it'll help you stick it out in the long run. 

Do What Works for You

There's a ton of information out there about people's routines, including this blog post. But, it's important to remember that what works for something else won't necessarily work for you. Of course, feel free to try what works for someone else, but don't get down on yourself if it doesn't serve you or make you feel good. 

What is your favorite part of your routine?

xoxo,

Rachel