Meditation or mindfulness is something that I have been learning more and more about over the last year or so. It is gathering popularity in the legal community as a way that attorneys can both be better at their jobs and also be happier (and hopefully healthier) lawyers.
Can Meditation Help Your Studies?
More and more of my students have also started experimenting with meditation as a tool to help them study better, keep calm on exams and even get through challenging periods such as the bar exam. And I have heard some incredible success stories from students practicing meditation.
Based on everything I have read, meditation seems to be a good thing for us. It is something, however, that needs to be practiced so you can effectively call on it when you need to calm your mind.
The challenge then becomes when do we make time for meditation? I have talked to a number of people who recommend different approaches to meditation including (1) doing it for 5 minutes a day, because who can’t find five minutes; (2) doing it for 10 minutes a day (I am currently reading a book on 10 minute a day meditation); (3) using an iPad/iPhone app to facilitate meditation.
I consider myself a busy person. So I think I am going to find it difficult to find more than 10 minutes to dedicate to a meditation practice at this point in my life. Starting this week, I am trying out the iPhone app called “Headspace” (it is free from the App Store). Headspace was listed on this list of iPhone apps for meditation.
There are many things that I find attractive about the iPhone app. One is that it is a tool that I have with me that I can utilize to make the most of my meditation time wherever I am. Also it makes me feel there is a plan for each meditation day (I love to have a plan).
Want to Try it Too?
This is my first week using Headspace. I am not new to meditation, but I am new to trying to do it every single day. So who wants to try this with me? Share your experiences or other recommendations in the comments.
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I practiced meditation before and during my LSAT the second time I took it and saw an eleven point bump in my score! Thank you for reminding me to get back into the habit as we approach finals.
Sarah,
Great! It is so wonderful to hear from students who are finding that these techniques work for them. Good luck with final exams!
Hi Lee
I’ve also tried out the headspace app and liked it very much, the built-in daily plan was especially helpful. There are so many meditation apps out there and I’ve given most a go! 🙂
I’m using this one daily at the moment, its a free one from a company called relaxiapps. There’s a paid version too, but I’ve stuck with the free one for now, mainly cause its free!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/relax-meditation-lite-from/id552797883?ls=1&mt=8
Good luck with your meditation plan, its takes a little time to get into it, but its soon plain sailing 🙂
Laura,
Thanks for recommending the additional app — I know others will appreciate it as well!
I started using the Headspace app after you mentioned it. At first I didn’t think it was doing anything, but then one of my meditations coincided with some legitimate stress, and it made a noticeable difference. So thanks for bringing this to my attention!
Rebecca: Great! I love hearing that students are trying out these tips and having them work for them.
Now that I’ve finished Take 10 I’m just fighting with myself over whether to pay for the rest of the program. $15/month is a lot for someone who’s never had a salary. :[
Hi Rebecca: Another student says that they like this free app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/relax-meditation-lite-from/id552797883?ls=1&mt=8
Also these are some blog posts that list free and paid apps:
http://www.prisondharmanetwork.net/profiles/blogs/review-of-best-mindfulness-apps
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/04/17/feeling-anxious-here-are-3-iphone-apps-to-help-you-relax/
Hope these are helpful.