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Sometimes it can feel like you are fighting a case even outside the courtroom - just getting through your law studies can be its own kind of challenge.

Let us be honest, burnout isn’t just a buzzword; it is a reality that many of us law students face but rarely talk about. I know this because I’ve been there. 

The silent symptoms of burnout

At first, burnout does not announce itself with flashing lights. It creeps in slowly. For me, it started with sleepless nights, lying in bed, running through case laws in my mind, but retaining none of it. Then came the lack of concentration. I would sit down to study, stare at my books, but my brain refused to cooperate. Procrastination became my unwanted companion, not out of laziness but because I felt mentally drained. If you’ve ever felt like your mind just… stops working, you know exactly what I mean.

Why does this happen?

Law isn’t a subject you can just memorise; it requires critical thinking, structured reasoning and self-discipline. When your brain is overloaded, the simplest tasks can feel monumental. The stress isn’t just about deadlines; it is about constantly feeling like you have to be “on”—intelligent, prepared and ahead of the game. 

There’s a myth that only naturally gifted debaters make good lawyers. Let me tell you this couldn’t be any further from the truth. Law is vast. It is not just about arguing in court; it’s about problem-solving, interpreting legal principles and finding your own path in this field. 

Breaking through and finding strength

For me, law isn’t just a career – it’s a personal mission.  I come from a feudal family in KPK, Pakistan, where pursuing law isn’t the usual path. Choosing this journey meant challenging societal expectations, but if you’ve made It this far, it means you have a vision, a dream and the strength to see it through. 

The key to overcoming burnout? Compete with yourself - not others. Don’t focus on who appears to be ahead. True growth is about becoming a better version of yourself, not outpacing someone else.

Tips on making your studies in law a success:

1. Believe in yourself, even when it is tough
   You are here for a reason. Law school will challenge you, but it doesn’t define your worth.
    
2. Break the work into smaller tasks
   The workload can feel crushing when you try to do it all at once. Take it one case, one concept, one day at a time.
    
3. Rest is not a weakness
   Sleep, take breaks and make time for life outside of law. Your brain needs rest to function well.
    
4. Remember why you started
   Law is not easy  -but then again, neither is changing the world and that’s exactly what good lawyers do.

Burnout is real, but so is your resilience. Keep going. You are not just studying the law; you are shaping your future.

Mariya studies Undergraduate Laws in the United Kingdom.