Learning to Cope Presumably, by the time we graduate we have learned ways to survive the stress law school places on our intellects, our relationships, and our bodies. We have not, however, learned these survival skills in class. Thus, students' coping methods are not always healthy. We leave our work to the last minute, stay up all night, and sleep through class in the morning. Coffee cups line the rows of desks in class.
Some students turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with feeling overwhelmed.
It is not uncommon to have a periodic law school night at a local bar, where students can get drunk together with social approval. Another common way of dealing with stress is watching hours of television. But some students find healthier ways of coping with stress, such as exercising, joining sports teams, or playing instruments. The quality of life of the law student must mirror that of the lawyer so that those who do not thrive in law school, or at least those who become miserable, are weeded out. Thus, if the life of the law student is to improve, it is not enough to make changes in the ways classes are taught, exams are administered, and jobs are filled.