Ed. Note: This summer, Ms. JD solicited law school myths from law students across the country.  Many students agreed that becoming a law student does not mean saying goodbye to your social life.

Sara Brucker, UC Davis School of Law, writes:

You can have a life outside law school! Law school is one of the few things you truly can devote every minute of every day to. Don’t do it. You may be one of the lucky people who never ever burns out, and yes we’re spending more money than many of us have ever seen in our lives, but there’s more to life than Civ Pro and Evidence. Don’t let your nose be perpetually stuck in a book and let life pass you by.

Try to stay true to your pre-law school self. Continue doing the activities and hobbies you enjoyed doing before you started school. One of the most tragic moments I’ve had in law school was staring a questionnaire that asked me what activities and hobbies I enjoyed outside of law school and I drew a complete blank. Not one non-law related thing came to mind. Don’t let that happen to you!

And if that alone doesn’t scare your nose out of the books, the fear of making a fool out of yourself at an interview should! Law firms, government agencies, and non-profits actually would prefer to hire a real person rather than a robot. Brush up on your current events, sports team standings, weather, etc. Read a newspaper (and not just National Law Journal!), magazine, online news page, or even watch a bit of television!

Gina Serra, Widener University School of Law, reminds us to make time for family and friends:

Some say that you will be excommunicated from your family, friends, and your life in general once you begin law school.  While there may be some changes in your relationships with the people close to you, you will not become a complete hermit.  There are times, such as during law school finals, where you may indeed fall off of the face of the Earth temporarily.  But you will resurface.  You can definitely keep a social life, perhaps to a lesser degree for this three-year period, but do not think that you will lose the ones close to you.  The key is learning how to allocate your time.

Jennifer Paige Friend, Walter F. George School of Law, agrees that making time for family and friends—as well as time for yourself—is vital:

Yes, law school is hard, and you should study a lot.  However, don’t forget to take time for yourself.  Law school is three years.  Buckle down, but don’t forget to let loose every once in awhile.  Play trivia with your friends; read a book for pleasure; take aerobics class.  We all need time away from our studies to unwind and recharge.  It is not helpful to study all of the time.  Instead, try to be a well-rounded person.  Remember to spend time with your family and friends.  Balance is important in all aspects of life and law school is no different.

A student at University of Mississippi School of Law suggests some activities to maintain balance:

Don’t forget who you are and what you enjoy. One of the most important ways to stay on top of the “law school game” to maintain a sensible amount of social life…Go play tennis, take a jog, and enjoy that Friday night concert! These are the things that will keep you sane and ready to take on the stress that comes with the first year of law school.