Self Discipline

When faced with academic pressures, we all have to make sacrifices or control "excesses". Some people have to limit the amount of going out and partying that they do. Others have to limit how much tv they watch. My weakness is extracurriculars. I love to get involved.

So when I got an email from the Law School Dems for their first general meeting today, it took all the self control I could muster to NOT go to the meeting. Instead, I went to the law library for the first time ever and read for civ pro. After I finished my reading I went back to my locker to put my books back and I saw a pile of empty pizza boxes leftover from the Dems meeting. And you know what, I really smiled when I saw that.

For one, I'm glad I did not succumb to the temptation of the first Dems meeting. While it would have been easy to convince myself that this was just an intro meeting and I was just going to scope out what they were all about, I know all too well from experience that this is where they hook people in. "Oh, just sign up for what you have time for." Yeah, that doesn't work for club people like me. The introduction meeting is like the gateway drug. I could just see myself going and then before knowing it, signing up to help out in the midterm elections because this is a huge election, everyone around me was doing it, and I love politics. I may eventually check the club out, but not until I'm academically settled, which will be well beyond the November elections.

Secondly, as hungry as I was when I saw those pizza boxes, they made me even more glad I didn't go to the meeting. They say a big part of law school is just taking care of yourself physically and I know that pizza, especially combined with long nights of reading, is not good nourishment. Instead, I went home and cooked myself a healthy dinner. My roommate and I have found that taking the time to cook our dinners and pack our lunches definitely is a nice break, saves a ton of money, and is way healthier than buying junk.

Finally, I think now is the time when I develop habits. It's not impossible to change habits either way, but it's nonetheless to start off on the good food. So week 1 is where I want to show my priorities. And right now, that priority is adjusting to law school and studying. My secondary one is socialization/taking care of myself. I've done a pretty good job of going outside of my comfort zone and meeting new people. Tomorrow I'll be going to bar review and my "1 hour breaks" these past few days are either going to the gym or watching Project Runway. And lower on the priority tier (translate: can wait til later) are these club things that dominated my life at UCLA. I'm sure the Democratic party can forgive me for taking a sabbatical to refuel and serve them better by knowing the law and being a happy person.