But then, something happens.
Sometimes, the feeling is described as “the brain shutting off.” Other students say they have too many ideas and can’t focus them into one cohesive start. Others still say no matter how great the ideas are in their heads, they just can’t get them out.
So they sit and stare at a blank computer screen. The more time goes by, the more frustrating – and impossible – the challenge feels.
This is called writer’s block. You may have heard of it.
Let me share a little secret with you: writer’s block happens to everyone. In fact, for a few reasons, it’s almost bound to happen at least once – to all students – as they prepare to write their law school personal statements. There are a few reasons why:
• You have to write creatively.
Unlike research papers, which are mostly based on your interpretation of facts, you have to come up with your own topic and make your own argument based solely on your experiences. If it seems like a challenging feat, that’s because it is!
But trust me when I say this: no student writes a perfect law school personal statement on the first try. If you’re unfamiliar with creative writing, it may be especially challenging for you. But it’s not impossible.
• There’s a lot riding on it.
You know that the quality of this personal statement will directly impact your ability to get into your top-choice law school. When we have a task that important, we tend to overthink it. You’re not alone.
Yes, the law school personal statement matters – a lot. However, by starting it as early as you can, you’ll give yourself ample time to truly write a winning law school personal statement that can convince admission officers you’d be a great fit for their school. Which brings me to my next point…
• You have a deadline.
Whenever there’s a due date looming over us, we tend to go into panic mode. Our brains think only of the deadline, causing our creativity and focus to shut down. This is one of the reasons I’m always encouraging students to start the law school personal statement early.
But even if you’re pressed for time, there are still a few ways you can beat writer’s block and get started on your law school personal statement. (Getting started, by the way, is the hardest part. Most students find that once the words start appearing on the screen, it’s easy to keep going.)
So, the challenges are there. We’ve recognized them. In fact, we’ve confronted them. Now that we’ve tackled them head-on, let’s get to that law school personal statement. If you’re staring at a blank screen, here are some tips to clear your mind:
1. Get some endorphins flowing.
This might sound silly, but going for a short run, biking, or even just doing a few jumping jacks can get the blood flowing and take your focus off the pressure for just a little bit. You’ll also get a rush of endorphins, which may give you the mood and confidence boost you need to get started.
2. Get out in nature.
Whether you’re in your school library or your bedroom, four walls can feel confining. Sometimes, a place that’s too familiar can prevent you from thinking creatively. If it’s possible for you, get out in nature for a bit – even if it’s just a local park. Just be sure to bring your laptop or notebook so you can start writing when inspiration strikes!
3. Avoid silence…
Complete silence allows our minds to go all over the place. If you can’t listen to music with words, I suggest an instrumental or nature sounds playlist. There are lots of free streaming apps with these types of playlists.
4. …But minimize distractions.
The one thing you don’t want to hear is the sound of constant notifications on your phone. You might think that taking a quick “break” for texts, Snapchat, or Facebook would be fine, but it could seriously disrupt your creative flow. Turn your phone off – or at the very least, on airplane mode – to minimize interruptions for now.
5. Visit the law school's website.
A few weeks ago, I shared my idea of linking your law school personal statement to your target school's mission statement. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend checking it out. You can also just poke around the school’s website for a bit, looking at sections like campus life, course listings, and so forth. Imagining yourself as a student there might just give you the spark of creativity you need to begin your law school personal statement.
6. Just write.
Once you have an idea – even if it’s not fully formed – just get it out on the screen or paper. It doesn’t matter of it doesn’t make sense. You can go back and fix it later. This is called “stream of consciousness” writing and sometimes it produces the best ideas of all.
7. Ask your friends.
If you’ve tried everything above and are still stuck, consider asking your friends what they wrote about. But do me a favor and give yourself at least 20 minutes of really trying one or more of the methods above before you do so. Also, resist the urge to “copy” their idea. Simply use it to get thinking about the unique experiences you’ve had.
So, what are you waiting for? You have everything you need to get started right here. Close this article and go!
Until next time,
Steve
P.S. If you still can’t get the creative juices flowing after trying all of these tips, I do have a few more tricks you can try, too. Just check out these articles where I share additional strategies for beating writer’s block.
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