Why did you choose to pursue a legal career?
I’ve always found law fascinating. Reading about how the government legislates the way courts work has always caught my attention. It wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I decided I wanted to be a part of this justice system, play my part in the greater good, give back to society, and develop and learn at the same time.
I think the law is ideal for me, as I have enjoyed studying it so far and regularly visited courtrooms.
Do you encounter challenges during your studies?
Being the first in my immediate family to attend college, not having much money, or being affluent and living with a long-term health condition are just some of the obstacles I endured in college. It makes life more difficult, but also more fun. I know I have the drive and determination to do well. I completed my LLB at the Open University and it was the best choice I made.
It was ideal to have that flexibility to work when I chose to because I could fit it in with some of these challenges. When I went to bar class I quickly realized that the biggest challenge is doing the work and making sure I understand it. Anyone with long-term health issues will struggle at times, but that doesn’t stop me. It’s good to have a strong support network and prioritize your mental and physical well-being. Eat healthy, be active and have a social life.
What do you do on an average day?
This is my day when I go to campus for my bar class classes –
07:00 – I get up at 7am, nice and early to catch the sunrise and then I get ready for the day. I’ll have breakfast with something caffeinated, usually green tea or something similar, and then fire up the laptop and make sure my cell phone is charged for the day.
I check my emails because I may have missed something important from the day before. I also like to read on Legal Cheek and look on Linkedin for relevant and interesting articles. During this time, I can save an article for later in the day. I will also check my university email address and my daily agenda that is online so that I am aware of what is happening today.
I grab my bag and bring notebooks, pens, highlighters and sticky notes for the white book! I put my white books in my suitcase on a civil trial day, along with my case folder. I board the train around 8am and arrive in Manchester around 8:30am. During my train journey I will read a book for a short period of time, whatever I take from my bookcase.
8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – I had about 30 minutes from arrival on campus to class so that gave me time to unpack my books and folder and grab another drink if needed. Depending on what’s needed, I can use the library to print work or check a case or statute, or anything that might be relevant to the class. I will then read some more, usually something from the white paper required during the session, and highlight where necessary.
The civil procedural law course lasts 2 hours. The white books (Rules of Civil Procedure) are used quite extensively during these sessions, so taking notes is essential, and bookmarking important pages is even more important.
11 hours – At 11 a.m. the class pauses for 15 minutes.
I can have another drink, even though it has no caffeine, because it can become a habit at this point. I’ll review court notes and make sure they’re in order for when I get home to consolidate. Questions or queries can be answered by the course leader, tutor or personal tutor.
It is important to ask lots of questions and be involved during the lesson, as it is easy to become overwhelmed with the lectures, and it can be challenging to understand the material.
11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. – Civil skills will also take 2 hours. Skills sessions are workshops in which students can work on the practical aspects of the process they have learned. For civil cases this may be drafting a claim or opinion, for criminals this may be preparing a bail application or cross-examining a classmate. For these sessions I need a suit so I have to wear one and if I don’t it could cause some problems.
These sessions are quite fun no matter what is being studied. It’s another opportunity to gain hands-on experience, get feedback, and learn and grow as a group. You learn more about yourself and how you work. The only downside is there isn’t enough in my opinion, there should be another skills session workshop in the week.
The class may finish early, but it usually finishes on time. This gives plenty of time during the day to get out and consolidate or review what has been taught and hopefully learned. I am going back to the train station as I would like to complete my consolidation at home. If necessary, I can go to the local library for some rest, taking my laptop with me.
2:00 – I’m usually home around 2pm. I unpack my books and notes and I will spend half an hour reviewing what has been written, any information that may be missing, and then I log into the university site and begin consolidation tasks. This can be further reading, an activity such as completing a few test questions or a short paper. Consolidation takes me another 30 minutes to 45 minutes.
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – I will revisit all my emails, check Linkedin again and search legal blogs and sites for more articles. Then I use this time to go through all the advocacy work I have to do – right now I’m working on a human rights issue.
I will check the status of my mini pupil applications if possible, and I will try to find one I can apply to the next day, I like to have a fresh mind when I apply, so try to separate this from consolidation. I usually have other events planned, such as virtual lectures by law firms, or maybe a qualifying session to look forward to.
I will always try to find something to fill my time. I recently applied to volunteer with the Greater Manchester Police Force and was successfully invited for an interview, so I’ll have to see how that goes. I like to start relaxing by going for a walk and maybe calling or texting a friend or family member.
5:00 PM – At 5:00 PM, I have completed the tasks for the day and have entered a relaxed state where I can focus on my well-being. Scheduling or booking a meditation session to attend a yoga class is a good idea, something my university is now offering. I can’t quite help myself and will have a look at preparing for the next class, something I will most likely do.
What are your goals/plans for the future?
Starting the bar course was such a big and difficult decision. I met great people in my classes and the university had given a good course so far. I do plan to apply for an apprenticeship, but for now my goal is to complete the course first.
I would like to see myself successfully passing the course and becoming an apprentice and within 2 years working in a legal environment where my skills are put to good use.
Not law related, but I intend to continue writing and developing my blog, which has gained quite a following over the past few years. This is something I enjoy. I believe it’s important to enjoy rather than focus on one point or one goal, otherwise you will be consumed and end up with nothing else.
This article was originally published on our Jobs partner website: Simplylawjobs.co.uk