Description: Law tutor Polly shares her thoughts on how to obtain a successful Law Degree.
As society has been gracefully swept into whirling havoc of fluid modernity, our institutions have continuously been challenged. Incessantly, the law adapts to fit these changes and ensure that needs in society are just and met, whether effectively or not is a matter up for debate. It is compelling that the law is active in everyone’s lives on a daily basis without us even recognising. Even the very building you remain in at this moment is full of legal constraints. The sheer volume and complications of the law are one of the reasons why Law is such a demanding and potentially risky degree to carry out. In this article, I would like to outline some key tips to help you survive law school.
Tip 1: Stay Organised
By far, the most important asset that you can have when entering a law degree is the ability to remain organised and efficient throughout the year. One way this can be done is through keeping a colour coded time schedule. I like to write all of my lectures and seminars in one colour, blocking out the appropriate amount of time needed. Next, scribble out some time for lunch, exercise and rest breaks so you are able to relax, enjoy your hobbies and remain efficient. Around this, annotate study time in the library for seminar work or revision in a different colour.
The benefits of a time schedule include the ability for the schedule to become a habit within your life. This means sticking to this will feel natural and necessary in order for you to become a disciplined student. Also, less thinking time is taken up deciding when you will complete certain tasks as you already have your time for each module written down in your diary. Lastly, you are holding yourself accountable to give yourself breaks. It is easy to become caught up in university and work too much or too little, but with a dairy, you know exactly where you need to be at a certain time.
Tip 2: Read, read, read
Reading, reading and more reading is probably going to be one way that you can sum up your law degree. However, reading efficiently is something which can really help. I promise that it will benefit you in the long run, especially when it comes to exams. Within your reading, there are a certain number of things that you may like to look out for, which can be noted down in an organised manner.
Firstly, the bigger picture of the law within its area. This can also be described as the background context, research on this will show you have a complex understanding of the areas that depend on this area of law. It will also show you the practical side of how the law operates. Some examples of changes in how the law is functioning may be the current Covid-19 pandemic, feminism, or the 2008 financial crisis.
Another to look out for will be law reform, is the law changing or has it remained the same for many years? By detecting this, you are able to recommend whether the law needs to be reformed. It may be working inefficiently and in conjunction with this you will be able to recommend ways it could be reformed.
Lastly, gather academic commentary, particularly that of conflicting opinions. Textbooks will include excerpts of work or recommended article reading. If you are able to complete this you will find yourself with a large bank of useful opinions. This means that you can put this under the microscope in essays and exams and point out the criticisms or benefits of such an opinion. Doing this will push you into the boundary for a 2:1 or a first.
Tip 3: Upskill
Finally, ensure you are constantly upskilling. Being a young and budding lawyer, you need to ensure that you are a well-rounded person. It is not always about being able to recite black letter law but also being someone who is commercially aware, compassionate, and efficient are amazing benefits. Additionally, you do not only need to upskill academically. This may be through trying a new sport or a new hobby which makes you stand out from the crowd but also gives you time off to enjoy yourself. Allowing yourself to constantly improve will usually work in your favour and give you an amazing boost.