Reading time: three minutes

This is my last post for LawCareers.Net. I move onto my training contract in September, and so a new chapter is starting for me. Any change comes with a mixture of nerves and excitement – and this is a huge one for me. A new city, a new job, a new flat.

But along the way I've picked up some tips and tricks that I think could help a law student. Here are my top five:

1. Embrace the challenges of law school

I remember sitting in my first land law class thinking: how am I ever going to understand this?! It seemed a web of confusion and the panic really hit. The tutor said, "Don’t worry, everyone feels like this". And, it's all well and good to say I should have listened. But, in the moment, when you're a diligent student and want to do well, you feel scared that you’re going to fail the module.

Be patient, and take the time to sit down with textbooks, lecture notes and any other material the university gives you. It comes with time and practice, and you may even later like the module you once hated.

The law is an enriching subject. It tests you intellectually, but I personally think that's great. There's always a new element to get your head around and so you're constantly learning.

2. Get involved in extracurricular activities

I wrote a blog post for a charity about why books should be sent to prisoners and how you can go about it to enrich them culturally and educationally. I delivered a presentation about the damaging effects of county lines and how schoolchildren can watch out for the signs. And I attended a virtual tour of the Supreme Court.

Each of these was a different experience. One was allowing me to see aspects of the criminal world, another was about engaging with the future generation of lawyers, and the third was done out of intrigue as to how the real, practical world of law works. I'd suggest taking any opportunities that come your way.

3. Organisation is key!

For my master's (conversion) and my Legal Practice Course, a big part of revision was organising my notes. It was all about writing my own notes; this was key. Tutors say that you can't rely on another’s notes that you find online and I wholeheartedly agree. Condensing notes and understanding what the notes mean enough to put them into your own words means that you're grasping the difficult legal concepts.

Also, adding a nice font and colour to your own notes does no harm if it cheers you up. It makes your own notes brighter and, for me, makes me more motivated to crack on with my revision.

4. Ask for help

In the lead-up to exams I was messaging tutors whenever I didn't understand something. In hindsight, when I was consolidating workshops, I should've been doing this all along. So, make use of the tutors and send them an email asking them to explain something you can't get your head around. It's hard when the work's piling up, I know. But, you'll thank yourself in the weeks leading up to exams.

5. Use your fellow law students

If you don’t understand a question in the prep, then perhaps message a friend from your class. Working together to understand the question will really help you. It was hard for me to do this, as I lived at home and not in Manchester where I was studying. But, remember that your fellow students are but a message away, and you're all there because you want to do well!

I wish you luck in your legal studies and future legal careers. Thank you for reading my blog posts this last year!

Sophie