12. Elmo Was Right: Why You Need to Ask Yourself How You Are Doing During Law School, Bar Exam Prep, & As An Attorney

Hey, hey, hey! It’s Roberta here, and welcome to the Season 1 finale of the Blessed and Barred: Faith, Law School, and the Bar Exam Podcast!

 

In this final episode of the season, we’re diving into a topic inspired by an unlikely source: Elmo! Yes, that red, furry friend from Sesame Street. Earlier this year, Elmo asked a simple but powerful question on social media: How’s everybody doing? The post went viral, sparking a huge conversation about mental health. Even President Biden chimed in, reminding us all to check in on ourselves and each other.

 

It may seem lighthearted, but Elmo’s question hits on something profound. Whether you’re in law school, preparing for the bar exam, or navigating life as a practicing attorney, taking a moment to evaluate how you’re really doing is essential. And that’s exactly what we’re exploring today.

 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. The Study with EASE Framework

   - If you’ve been with me for a while, you know about my Study with EASE framework (check out Episode 7 for the full breakdown!). Today, we’re focusing on the last "E" in EASE: Evaluate Energy and Emotions

   - Elmo’s question serves as a fun reminder to check in with yourself. It’s a practice we should be doing daily—especially during high-stress periods like finals, bar prep, or wrapping up casework as an attorney.

 

2. Why Reflection Matters in High-Stress Careers

   - Did you know that 96% of law students report *significant stress*? That’s compared to 70% of med students and 43% of other grad students. And it doesn’t end there. Depression, anxiety, and substance abuse rates are disproportionately high among lawyers, too.

   - Research shows that law students enter school with strong mental health but experience sharp declines within their first year. This stress carries over into bar prep and even into legal practice.

   - Taking time to evaluate your energy and emotions is not just a "nice-to-have" but a critical tool for maintaining your well-being in this demanding profession.

 

3. The Role of Faith and Reflection

   - As we’ve discussed in previous episodes, faith is central to navigating the ups and downs of legal life. One definition of "blessed" from Matthew’s *Sermon on the Mount* is "to be refreshed by God’s grace."

   - Are you operating from a place of stress or from a place of blessing? Evaluating your energy and emotions is a way to move from stressed and overwhelmed to blessed and empowered.

 

4. Practical Tips for Evaluating Energy and Emotions

   - Regularly check in with yourself: How are you feeling physically? Emotionally? Spiritually? Do certain tasks drain your energy more than others? Take note and adjust your schedule and mindset accordingly.

   - Use this time of year to reflect deeply. December is perfect for looking back at what you’ve achieved and setting intentions for what’s next. If you haven’t already, listen to Episode 9 for a deep dive into goal setting!

 

A Final Word for Season 1

 

I’m so grateful for each and every one of you who’ve tuned in this season. As we close out Season 1, I encourage you to take Elmo’s question to heart: *How are you doing?* And don’t just answer it for today. Make it a habit. Reflect. Evaluate your energy and emotions. And most importantly, allow yourself to be refreshed by God’s grace.

 

If this episode (or any from this season) resonated with you, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review or drop me a message—and don’t forget to share this podcast with others who could use some encouragement on their law school or legal journey.

 

Until next season, stay blessed, not stressed! Amen!

The article referenced in the episode: The Full Weight of Law School: Stress on Law Students is Different, by Shawn Healy, PhD and Dr. Jeff Fortgang, PhD: https://www.lclma.org/2019/01/18/the-full-weight-of-law-school-stress-on-law-students-is-different/

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PSA: Your Bar Prep Doesn’t Have to be Hell (Plus a Case Study of Passing the Bar Exam After the First Try): https://robertaoroberts.com/bar-prep-psa/