Lawyers - is there anything you wish you would've done before articling?

[sunshinecoast]

The title says it all! I have about a bit of time before I begin articling. I'll be travelling for a month, which I'm looking forward to. I wonder if there's anything else you wish you had done before articling. I know this is so mundane, but I want to catch up on errands and things I shouldn't have neglected, like going to the doctor. I also want to get back into reading for fun again. Let me know any other suggestions you might have 🙂 

[Case]

I wish I established an exercise routine/habit before jumping into articling and work

[Conge]

Find 3-5 days a week and times of the day where you can exercise, even if it's just getting up early and going for a walk before work. Keep that habit during articling.  Start doing meal prep on Sunday so that you have 4-5 pre-made lunches for the week. Start going to bed at the same time every night, aiming for 7-8 hours every night, and read for 30-45 mins before bed instead of watching TV or looking at a screen.

These habits will pay dividends. 

[PzabbytheLawyer]

Packed up a backpack and travelled the world.

[Jaggers]

We went to Turkey for a month. It was amazing. I would have done more of that, but my wife was working and we only had so much vacation on her side to use up. I love to travel, so am biased, but I don't see any reason to spend more than one minute of that time in your home city - you'll have plenty of time there after.

Obviously if you need to move, that's stressful and you need to build in time for that, but not "errands".

Edited May 4, 2023 by Jaggers

[Pantalaimon]

Had a kid. I know that's not helpful for the intent of this thread, but man is it just harder to have one during articling or while you're a junior!

[Jaggers]

Maybe. We waited until I was no longer junior, and while there are benefits to that in terms of financial security, my energy reserves are not what they were before I started school/articling.

[GoatDuck]

On 5/4/2023 at 11:14 AM, Pantalaimon said:

Had a kid. I know that's not helpful for the intent of this thread, but man is it just harder to have one during articling or while you're a junior!

I don't think my wife can wait this long!