How to Manage Application Anxiety
The temptation to constantly check your application status and scour online forums for "admissions trends" is strong. Resist it. Decide on a schedule, maybe you check your email once a day and the status checker once a week. Outside of that, close the tabs.
Instead, fill your time with things you enjoy. Read a book, start a new show, dive into a hobby you've put off. The goal is to create a life outside of your law school applications. The more you can shift your focus, the less power the anxiety will have.
Remember that your worth isn't tied to an acceptance letter. A law school's decision is based on a snapshot of your life, not the full picture. It's a combination of your GPA, LSAT score, personal statement, and a host of other factors that are now out of your control. Rejection from one school doesn't mean you won't be a great lawyer, and acceptance from another doesn't guarantee success. You've done everything you can; the rest is up to them.
One of the most effective ways to combat anxiety is to feel prepared. Start thinking about what you'll do in different scenarios. If you get in, what will you do to celebrate? Where will you look for housing? What are the next steps for financial aid? If you get a rejection, what will you do with your extra time? Will you reapply next cycle? Consider what you can improve for a future application. If you're waitlisted, what steps will you take to improve your chances? Will you send a letter of continued interest? Will you take on a new job or project to show growth?
Having a plan for each possibility can help you feel more in control and less vulnerable to the whims of admissions committees.
Talk to people who understand what you're going through (like right here, in the Community)! Connect with friends who are also applying to law school or have gone through the process. A quick venting session can be incredibly cathartic. If you have family members or friends who don't quite get it, that's okay. Find joy in their company and the parts of your life that have nothing to do with law school.