I am a law school student, about to embark on my third and final year. I’ve heard people say third year should be easier, but I doubt it. Each year brings its own challenges, whether it’s the first year curve (which can also exist in some second year classes as I found out the hard way) or the job search. It’s taxing being a law student. It’s a full time job. And in this economy, if you want a job, much more if you want your dream job, you have to give it everything you’ve got. If you’re a weightlifter, this might sound familiar. You have to give it everything you’ve got if you want to maximize your potential. The especially tricky part is when you want to do both.
First, there is no secret that allows you to train like a professional weightlifter and also make straight As in law school. Unless you have the genetics of Naim Suleymanoglu and Albert Einstein, it’s just not going to happen. Being among the best at something requires lots and lots of time. So in the end, you’re going to have to choose which one you care about more. In my case, it’s law school. I want to be able to be a great children’s lawyer and defense lawyer and also a great academic in the interdisciplinary fields of psychology, philosophy, and punishment. These are the things that will allow me to have the most flourishing life. But as Aristotle accurately points out, I think, flourishing is a combination of many components. So although my law and academic career is my primary interest, weightlifting is an important and even necessary component for my life to flourish. I must have weightlifting in my life, and it must more than merely a hobby. I want to be good at it, and I want to give it the time and respect it, in my eyes, deserves. Aristotle also saw the complete man as a virtuous man, and although weightlifting may develop virtues such as courage and determination, I see it as its own virtue. So how do I give weightlifting its due respect?
One of my law professors often told a story about when he clerked with a judge and the judge gave him three pieces of advice in order to be successful: First, be prepared. Second, be prepared. And lastly, be prepared. It’s obvious, but we often get so hurried by the pace of life that we are afraid of getting trampled and forget to prepare; this is because we do a poor job of giving ourselves enough time to prepare. My advice for managing both a successful life as a law school student and weightlifter is: first, plan; second, plan; and lastly, plan. In case it isn’t obvious yet, you have to plan! I don’t mean. “I’m going to workout Monday through Friday during the day and then study at night.” It has to be more detailed and precise. You’re going to feel lazy, it’s going to be pain, but in the end, it’s worth it. And you have to start early. Notably, you don’t have to be a law student for this advice to help you. You can be a professional in any field who wants to include weightlifting as a serious part of your life. Because I’m a law student, I’m talking from that perspective.
The essential beginning step is to clarify your goals. For example, suppose you’re going to prepare for a competition four months away and have finals four months away. Determine your class schedule. Determine your training cycles. Take note of your class type and be clear on what works for you when it comes to studying. You want to have all four months before your view as you plan, but you want to plan each day specifically: 6am wake up; 6-615 shower; 6:15-6:30 make and eat breakfast; 6:30-7:15 travel; 7:15-9:00 workout, etc. As soon as you get your syllabus, look to see when you have your most reading and try to plan your workouts accordingly. If you can, have longer, more intense training when your reading load is less. Something as detailed as the schedule I laid out might be too specific for you. But I really think no matter who you are, some plan is necessary for success.
Now there is a critical second step to take after you make your plan. You have to actually do it. You can’t just make a plan and feel satisfied with that step. Or accomplish day one or week one and then slack off. You have to follow it through all the way.
It’s exceedingly difficult to simultaneously excel in two such demanding fields. It’s been taxing not only on me, but also on those around me, such as friends and family. So it’s been important for me to find something that works not only for me but for those I care about. I’ve tried managing my activities without a plan and with a plan, with a less detailed plan and with a more detailed plan. As I mentioned earlier, although I think different sorts of plans are better for different people, I’ve found that a really specific plan is best for me. Ultimately, my planning technique has made me more effective and more available in school and in weightlifting, and it’s created time for me to be able to strengthen relationships with my friends and family.