In law school, it is very easy to lose sight of yourself and only focus on academics. There is external and internal pressure to always give it your all. But giving it your all is not the same as doing your best. Your best is accomplished when you are well-rested, focused and ready to engage with the material. And my best is achieved by prioritizing my hobbies like crocheting. 

I have always been a crafty person, but my crocheting has exponentially increased since starting law school. Crochet has helped me find and build a community at the law school. It has shown me that I can do and learn hard things. And it has relieved my stress and primed my brain to focus. 

I did not know how many other people crocheted at the law school or wanted to learn until I started bringing my projects to the law school. I spend most lunches on Wednesdays working on a new project in the Commons, and I have started an informal gathering of others who crochet or are learning. Law school can be competitive at times, but building connections around common interests has allowed my peers and me to find common ground and remind us that collaboration can be just as important and more effective than competition. 

I started crocheting in undergrad, but I started to challenge myself during my 1L year. After school each day, I would crochet for about an hour before dinner and practice new stitches and patterns. Like all skills, it did not come quickly and took a lot of trial and error to learn and master each skill. Learning patience and perseverance has become essential for getting through challenging courses and exams. Crocheting and law school are not races but marathons. Crocheting taught me how to pace myself, look for a solution during tough situations and keep trying until it clicked. 

Crochet has also been an excellent stress reliever. While I am crocheting, I can only focus on my yarn, my hook and my hands. It requires my full focus to stitch correctly and effectively, so I eliminate unproductive and unhelpful thoughts that often cloud my mind. This has allowed me to practice focusing on readings and assignments, as I know how to clear my mind and be fully present for complex situations. 

While crocheting may not be for everyone, all students should find a passion outside of work and family that allows them to unwind and challenge themselves. Whether it be woodworking, writing short stories or baking, everyone should find their hobby and passion outside of law. 

– Gabby Fischer is a 2L KU Law Student Ambassador from Salina, Kansas