With my first year at Newcastle University having come to an end, I decided to take some time to reflect on my experiences at law school. University has been so much more than I could have expected in the best way possible, and I have learnt so much more than just the academic content that comes with the degree.
It is my hope that the content of this post might be helpful for any prospective law students, and can give you some food for thought on how you can make the most out of your time at university.
Independent Study is Vital
When I moved from year 11 to year 12, I distinctly remember being told that the jump from GCSEs to A-level would be the biggest academic jump in terms of having to change the way you work. I, however, would argue that the step from A-level to university is a huge leap, and can take a lot of adjusting. The main change I have found has been the amount of independent study that you must do at university. It became very clear to me that if I was not doing extra work outside of my lectures and seminars, I was not going to reach my full potential as a student. This extra work included reading the pages from the textbook relating to the current topic I was focusing on, reading academic articles on Westlaw or LexisNexis and practising past paper questions. Not only has this helped expand my knowledge of my subjects, but it has also helped improved the way I write dramatically.
If you're looking for some advice, I have sometimes found that reading academic articles and their opinions can often be more helpful than reading the textbook for understanding a certain topic and improving your writing style. By reading the arguments academics put forward on issues and their defences, I develop a much deeper understanding of the issue, rather than the often generic viewpoint found in a textbook. Not only this, but you can use these academic arguments in an exam to really help show the examiners that you have an elevated understanding of the topic, as well as your writing becoming more analytical and persuasive as opposed to descriptive with under-developed discussion.
Find the best way to be Productive
Given the amount of workload that comes with a law degree, or indeed any degree, I learnt quickly that I needed to find a way to work in the most efficient way possible. In my case, I learnt that using positive reinforcement was the best way for me to be productive and look after my mental health at the same time. I used going out with my friends for drinks and food or allowing myself time on my phone as a reward for completing any reading or prep I needed to do. This meant that I was giving myself an incentive for completing work and it really has worked wonders for improving my focus. Positive reinforcement is a well known technique for boosting productivity, and I will link one of the most famous studies on the method (Skinner's rats) here.
I would just like to reiterate however that this was my own personal experience with this method. This method will not work for everybody, and that's okay. I've tried many different methods of studying in the past and have just found this is the best for me, however I know this doesn't work for some of my friends. It often takes time to find a technique that is right for you and it's essential to understand what motivates you to want to work hard. If you are wanting to boost your productivity, I would recommend this article for techniques and tips.
Balance
One of the most valuable lessons I will take away from my first year is how important it is to balance your academics with your life away from studying. There is no doubt that your academics are so incredibly important at university, but your mental health and well-being are the most important. This was especially important to myself as I had moved to a completely new city, and it was hard adjusting to a new environment with new people and then on top of that starting a degree. I was lucky in that I had a lot of people in my accommodation who were also first year law students, which meant that I was able to find friends and make a social circle quite quickly. If I ever felt like I needed to speak to someone or just to hang out, I had people who were literally next door to me that I could go to, and that was a significant factor in helping me get through many of the struggles of my first year. If you're reading this as a prospective student and are worried about making friends, don't be! You need to remember that everybody is feeling exactly the same, and there will always be someone with the same interests as you or hobbies etc. that will be looking for a friend too.
I would also recommend joining societies as a helpful way to find balance during your time at university. I personally joined two societies in first year; The Eldon Society (Newcastle's law society) and the women's football team. I found these societies were just enough for me to take on as The Eldon Society meant that I was involved in a society that interlinked with my course while the training and games at football provided a welcome break from my studies and it also resulted in me making friends outside of my course and accommodation. No matter what your interests, it is highly likely that there will be a society that caters for you. Check your student union page for a list of societies and get involved!
You can do it!
Finally, my first year at university has shown me that I should not underestimate myself. I entered law school in September having studied, politics, psychology and history at A-level and I was absolutely terrified that I would not be able to grasp anything or I would regret choosing the course because I had never studied law prior. However, after my first week I knew that I had made the right decision and I have never looked back since.
Sometimes I have found it harder to understand certain concepts compared to my friends that studied law at A-level, however there have also been times where my A-level politics or history have benefitted me more than a law A-level would have. Just know that, if you were like myself and worried that your A-level courses might be a detriment for the certain university course you are taking, they are not. You will often be surprised at how much different subjects overlap, and if you put in the hard work you will be able to grasp difficult concepts in no time. Believe in yourself and you will start to see the positive outcomes.
Overall, my first year has been an immense learning curve and I have learnt so much since turning up as a fresher in September. My aspiration and drive to someday become a qualified solicitor has only increased as time has gone on, and I cannot wait to start my second year at law school to get another step closer to achieving that dream.
Great reading, and couldn’t agree with you more. You settled so well and have made the most amazing friends for life.