C|M|LAW Library Blog

Several years ago we had a blog about the generation that was set to start entering law school in about 2015 (then called Net Gen—more popularly Generation Z (Gen Z) now, but also iGeneration, iGen, and Post-Millennials). Now this generation is entering law schools and workplaces in greater numbers. Demographers and researchers typically use the mid-1990s to mid-2000s as starting birth years. Most of Generation Z have used the Internet since a young age and are generally comfortable with technology and interacting on social media.

According to a recent Forbes article, there are 8 ways Gen Z differ from Millennials:

1. Gen Z is motivated by security
2. Gen Z may be more competitive compared to Millennials
3. Gen Z wants independence
4. Gen Z multitasks more than Millennials
5. Gen Z is entrepreneurial
6. Gen Z wants to communicate face-to-face
7. Gen Z comprises true digital natives
8. Gen Z wants to be catered to

While generational characteristics are not specific to all individuals, they can be helpful in understanding differences between older generations and students. Here are additional articles that may help in understanding our newest generation of law students:

• Mary Ann Becker, Understanding the Tethered Generation: Net Gens Come to Law School, 53 Duq. L. Rev. 9 (2015).
• Denise Hawkins, Here Comes Generation Z. What Makes Them Tick? NEA Today (July 13, 2015)
• Eugene Scott, The State of America, According to Generation Z, The Washington Post (January 11, 2018).
• Corey Seemiller & Meghan Grace, Generation Z: Educating and Engaging the Next Generation of Students, 22 (3) About Campus, 21-26, (Jul/Aug 2017).
• Celeste Roseberry-McKibben, Generation Z Rising, 22(12) ASHA Leader 36-38 (Dec. 2017).

In conjunction with C|M|Law’s Jump Start program for students starting school in the fall, the Information Technology department and law library are offering orientation materials on a drop-in basis.

How it works:

1. Come by the research services office (Room 112) across from the circulation desk during normal hours.
2. You will meet and talk with one of our librarians, who will give you a scavenger hunt handout and IT information for your law school computer accounts. The scavenger hunt takes 20-30 minutes and will help you get orientated to the law library and IT services.
3. Upon completion of the scavenger hunt, give your results to a librarian in Room 112, at which point you will be given registration information for Lexis, Westlaw, CALI, and Scholar along with information on our legal research seminars and digital badge program.
4. All students who complete the scavenger hunt will be entered into a contest for a $50 Amazon gift card; the drawing will be held during the first full week of classes.

Mental Health America (MHA) and other organizations promote May as Mental Health Month. MHA’s theme for this May is Fitness #4Mind#Body. This theme focuses on how diet and nutrition, exercise, the gut-brain connection, sleep, and stress impact our wellbeing and mental health. For example, did you know that your gut microbiome (the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live in your gut) can have a brain connection to anxiety and depression? The MHA website gives you more information on the mental health impact of diet and nutrition, exercise, the gut-brain connection, sleep, and stress. You can also download a helpful toolkit.

So what will you do in the month of May to benefit your mental health and wellbeing?

Finals are just around the corner, and you know they’re likely to be stressful. So now’s the time to get your anti-stress game plan in place! Being prepared to face the stress of law school exams can help you feel more relaxed and do a better job.

Here are some things to put in your game plan:

• Plan ahead for meals and snacks. Stock up on your favorite foods and snacks so they’re ready to go when you’re too busy studying to think too much about food.
• Alert your friends and family. Let them know ahead of time when exams are so that they will understand if you’re less available physically and emotionally during this time.
• Get yourself on a sleep schedule now, so you can stick to it during exams.
• Plan ahead for a few good relaxation sessions – schedule a massage during exams, get tickets to a favorite band, plan a night out with friends. You’ll need to take a break from studying at some point.
• Arrange for you study aids now – the law library’s study aids research guide can help.
• Plan for exercise – if you’re into group fitness, scope out your favorite classes. If you’re more low key, plan to take walking breaks every hour or so of studying. Walking breaks do a whole lot more for your concentration and wellbeing than social media or web surfing breaks.
• Plan your rewards! Plan something extra nice for yourself after you’re done with each big exam or assignment.
• Remind yourself to see the big picture of your law school and career goals.

Cleveland State has its own Veterans Student Success Program with offices located at 2254 Euclid Avenue, Trinity Commons, Cleveland OH 44115.  The can also be reached by phone at 216-875-9996 or email at vikingvets@csuohio.edu

Veterans Services at CSU –one stop shopping with links to all services available for vets at CSU.

Veterans Benefits and Financial Aid –GI Bill information, financial aid and scholarships.

Counseling and other Mental Health Services:

Cleveland State Counseling Center – Academic, career, and personal counseling.  To find out more about the services offered by the Counseling Center please stop by (UN 220) or call them at 216-687-2277.  You may also stop by or call to set up a phone screening with a counselor.  The phone screening is designed to help determine what services are best for you.  At the end of the screening, the therapist will offer you a list of options tailored to your needs.  Common options include individual counseling at the counseling center, referral to counseling in the community, group counseling, workshops, and/or referrals to CSU and non-CSU resources.  Walk-in sessions are available from 1pm-3pm Monday through Friday.

Cleveland Veterans Administration Services—outpatient counseling available.  Contact the local VA for help on getting access to medical care for vets.