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As law students, our heads often get stuck in preparing for class, attending networking events, developing your “elevator pitch” and devising how to slaughter the Blue Book, etc. In doing so, we forget about the bigger picture of why we are here and what we came here to accomplish. Listening to TED Talks has helped ground me throughout this year and a half of law school. Here are some of my favorites for law students:

Lawrence Lessig: Laws that choke creativity

Lawrence Lessing argues for reviving our creative culture. While intellectual property law and digital innovation encourages incredible inventions, they also damage our political system. We need creative ventures to encourage the type of speech necessary for the democratic debate that helped build our country.

Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are

I was asked to listen to this TED talk in preparation for a class this semester. In this talk, Amy Cuddy shows how our body language can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and affect our interactions. She argues that it is possible to change the way we think and appear to others. As a result, we can affect our chances for success.

Ze Frank: Are you human?

I came to law school and felt immense loneliness. Surrounded by hundreds of students on unique paths intimidated and frightened me. Watching this video helped me not only feel alone, but smile. I show it to 1Ls who are feeling overwhelmed with everyone and everything happening around them.

Elizabeth Gilbert: Your elusive creative genius

Elizabeth Gilbert: Success, failure and the drive to keep creating

Elizabeth Gilbert’s talk in 2009 introduced me to TED talks. She shares her fears about her abilities and success. In her personal and moving talk, she opens herself up and reaches her audience. Her second talk in 2014 is a follow-up of the first one. Watch them together to see how success and failure can both be disorienting. There is no right path.

We can’t wait to see you to engage in powerful conversations.