It’s that time of year: 1Ls are arriving at law schools (some already may have had their first classes), and for those who didn’t grow up surrounded by lawyers, the experience of panic when getting called on in class can be profoundly disorienting. For some, being called on in class triggers a “fight or flight” response. Heart rates go up; some people might find the beginning of tears forming in their eyes; others might want to race out of the room. In short, if you’re not used to speaking in class about things that you don’t quite understand (yet*), the Socratic method is uncomfortable as hell.

I get it. In case you think that lawyers and law professors are immune from this feeling, think again. Every time we face a high-pressure situation, we too have to face that initial “fight or flight” moment. We keep going–not because we’re not feeling the stress but because we’ve developed the courage to push through the stress. Even in our non-work moments, there are times of great stress. But there’s also that courage: the ability to keep going even during “fight or flight.”

Why am I writing this post today? Because I just finished an emotionally tough two-hour dance lesson. In order to make me a better dancer, my teacher brought me far, far out of my comfort zone, and wow, did I ever have the “fight or flight” response. I could feel panic set in. I also felt embarrassed that I wasn’t instantly better at what he wanted me to do, even though trying immediately to be great at a new skill is a pipe dream. He recognized what I was going through, and he guided me through it, reminding me that what I was learning was new, and that the new skills will take time to master.

Did I enjoy the experience? Nope, not while I was going through it. Did it make me a better dancer–already? Yes. I saw results after getting through the discomfort and making mistakes. A lot of mistakes. A lot of very public mistakes. And after taking a few breaks, where I had to leave the ballroom, calm myself, and then go back in. (It helps that he and I have been working together for over three years. He knows me, and there’s a sense of trust between us.)

It also helped that I’m old enough to know that no one else in the ballroom (other than my teacher) was paying attention to my obvious stress. In my 20s, I didn’t know that most people don’t spend that much time observing others. I didn’t know that in my 30s or my 40s, either. It took me well into my 50s to realize that, most of the time, people are paying attention to their own situations and not to mine. (And it took me until my 60s to realize that, even if they are looking at me, that’s not my concern.)

Part of my point is that if, like me, you didn’t grow up around lawyers, what you’re learning is new. You’re not going to be great at it right away, unless you get very, very lucky. You’re going to develop entirely new skills over the course of the semester, and then the next semester will teach you more new skills, and so will the semester after that, and so on. Lawyers and law professors are always learning new skills.

Our advantage, though, is that we know that, if we stick with it, we will improve. You may not have learned this lesson about yourself yet. Have patience with yourself, and remember that, although “fight or flight” is an instinct, having the courage to stick things out is what matters. So don’t blame yourself for having the “fight or flight” response. Be proud of yourself because you’re making a choice to persevere even though you’re extremely uncomfortable.

And after the class is over, find a way to re-center yourself. Take a walk. Talk with friends. Breathe. Sometimes, I use music to decompress, and one of my favorite songs is this one that I heard on Ted Lasso: to me, it expresses the courage of facing a fear, failing, and coming back, ready to try again.

Be gentle with yourself. Your law school faculty, staff, and administration are all dedicated to supporting you on your journey to master law school.

* One more tip: add the word “yet” when you’re frustrated that you’re not understanding the material or mastering a new skill. You don’t understand it yet. You haven’t mastered it yet. But you can. And you will, by relying on your courage to try again and again until you do.