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This summer I graduated with my LLB, so hopefully I'm somewhat qualified (at least nominally) to give advice on dealing with your final year studying law at university! With the start of the new academic year coming up, no doubt your anticipation is intensifying and a sense of responsibility mounting. This final year will not merely test your legal knowledge; it's one of the key last steps before a career in law. This is a period marked by intense academic rigour, critical decision making regarding specialisations and much career planning. Let's delve into what this crucial year entails.

Academic rigour, expectations and looking beyond university

As you'd expect, your final year will be challenging – but it's also very rewarding. You'll find the curriculum demands not only a thorough legal knowledge with a sound understanding of complex principles, but also the ability to critically analyse and apply these principles in various contexts. This is your chance to demonstrate your capacity to handle tricky legal issues – a skill you've hopefully honed over the preceding years!

Depending on the options available to you, your choices should allow you to develop specialised knowledge and understanding in areas of the law you think align with your career aspirations. Whether your interests lie in corporate law, international human rights, environmental law or another area, your electives can reflect your interests and make this year both fascinating and personally rewarding.

This year can also be mentally draining – with the pressure of exams, dissertations and the looming job market, it's important to expect these challenges and adopt strategies for managing stress. This could mean regular exercise, mindfulness practices, or seeking support from friends, family or mental health professionals. Continuing to make time for extracurricular activities and societies, be they law-related or otherwise, might also offer some light relief from studying. Legalistic activities can, of course, also play a crucial role in your professional development – they not only further your understanding of the law, but also develop valuable skills like public speaking, legal writing and teamwork. Furthermore, the relationships built through these activities can offer mentorship, advice and support. You might also build valuable networking connections for your career! 

Effective career planning in your final year can lay the groundwork for your future in law. I'd recommend making the most of your university's career service – they can offer tailored advice on navigating the job market, refining your CV and mastering job interviews. I found the CV review at my university exceedingly helpful when applying for vacation schemes. Vacation schemes and placements can provide a practical understanding of the legal industry, allowing you to apply academic knowledge in real-world settings. These experiences will obviously enhance your CV, but they also help you build a valuable professional network and develop an understanding of your career goals.

Dissertations and final exams

The magnum opus of your final year will probably be your dissertation, which will showcase your analytical skills and depth of knowledge in your chosen area of law. Topic selection is a critical step – it should not only reflect your academic interests, but also hold potential for contributing valuable insights to the field of law. Time management is also crucial – juggling a dissertation alongside other academic and extracurricular commitments requires a well-structured plan and a great degree of diligence. Break down your work into manageable tasks, set realistic deadlines and consider using project management tools to keep track of your progress. I've written a more in-depth blog on dissertation writing here.

Your approach to final exams should be strategic and comprehensive. In all likelihood, you'll need to refresh your memory on foundational legal concepts, all while diving further into the nuances of the various, more complex topics which will be addressed. Engaging with various sources and study materials can provide diverse perspectives and deepen your understanding of what will doubtless be difficult material. If available, past papers and mock exams can be tremendous resources for exam prep. They can help you get to grips with the format of the exams and identify areas of your knowledge needing further review. Finally, always remember that quality over quantity applies when revising for exams. Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorising facts.

The final year of your LLB is a time to apply your knowledge, refine your interests in the law and (hopefully) prepare for your future career. This year will present many challenges and opportunities – you should face these with an open mind and take a proactive approach to your studies and career development. Remember, this year isn't just about academic achievement; it's about becoming a well-rounded individual ready to take on the legal world.

Let this year be a testament to your hard work. With diligence, resilience and a strategic approach to study and career development, your final year can be highly rewarding. The end of your LLB is just the beginning of a promising career in law!