Back in July we launched our first ever sponsorship scheme to support aspiring lawyers from backgrounds which are currently under-represented in the British legal system. Today we are chatting to Simran about her studies:

What’s your name and where you are from?

My name is Simran and I'm from Birmingham in the UK.

Why are you studying law?

I'm studying law in pursuit of becoming a commercial lawyer in the future. 

Throughout my work experiences and my position as a Legal Cheek Brand Ambassador, I really enjoyed learning that the law is not just a rigid set of rules but it is about the interpretation of debate, surrounding how laws can be applied and how lawyers use this to their advantage to meet the commercial objectives of their clients.

Which modules/areas of the law are you most interested in studying?

I am really interested in studying the Company Law module which has been added as a new element to the PGDL this year. It is an exciting time to learn about companies from the incorporation stage up to insolvency, as COVID-19 has shown how and why some companies are able to innovate and keep up with competition whilst others have collapsed and fallen into administration.  

Do you have any tips about how to study effectively 

• Nothing beats being organised and creating a good study schedule that you can follow. This helps to keep track of your progress and manage your time when you have other commitments.

• Try to make sure you attend all your lectures and seminars so that you can review all the content and consolidate your notes early on. You can then ask any questions to your tutor if you don't understand anything. This will save you a lot of time when it comes to revising for your exams!

• Invest in good study resources and take advantage of all the resources your university has to help you - whether it is meeting your tutors one to one or online resources that may be provided. Investing in good study guides such as Law Answered collection of resources for LLB, LPC, and GDL students will save you so much time as they are straight to the point and tell you what you really need to know for exam success.

• Lastly, I like to use the pomodoro technique when studying. Essentially this is done by using a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. This technique manages distractions and empowers you to take control of your time, whilst increasing motivation and accountability!

What are your tips for standing out amongst other students?

The most important thing I have learnt is to choose a specific type of firm that you want to apply to. For example, applying to firms based on a specific sector you are interested in or type of law, will make it more enjoyable to keep up to date on news relating to that topic and you will be able to show a real passion for it when you are conveying your interest for a firm during interviews. Many students can fall into the trap of applying to different types of firms which means when it comes to the interview stage, they lack the passion and knowledge needed to show your commitment to the firm!

Also, you will only be able to decide on the type of firm you wish to apply to by researching, attending lots of firm events and speaking to the lawyers that work there. There are a lot of good resources which help with this such as Legal Cheek and The Corporate Law Academy.

Prepare for interviews, even when you don't have any coming up.

Some firms have a five or six stage application process and with the interview being the last and most important stage of the application process, you want to make sure you are prepared to do your best. You can do this by keeping up to date with the firm and what they are doing (through a google alert), having mock interviews with family and friends and to network with the firm's trainees or associates to get a personal insight into the firm. This will make you a better candidate when it comes to articulating all your experiences which demonstrates important skills and also why you are suited to that firm.

To help prepare for applications and interviews, there are lots of good mentoring schemes available such as the STRIVE Supernova programme and Aspiring Solicitor's ASPIRE Mentoring Scheme.

Get involved in extracurricular activities and have interests you can talk passionately about.

This can help improve certain social skills which you can demonstrate during an interview and also it shows the interviewer that there is more to you beyond great academics and work experience and confirms that you are a well-rounded candidate.

I've always really enjoyed volunteering and this has allowed me to travel the world and work with a range of different organisations.

Remain enthusiastic and focused.

Finding a job in any field can be hard and a long process, but remaining resilient is key!- What keeps me motivated is embracing the challenge. When you stop focusing on outcomes and start focusing on the process and how much you can learn from it, you always find a positive in everything that you do, no matter what the outcome is!

What subjects have you studied prior to this?

I studied English at King's College London. However, I also have taken an International Law course in Geneva and a Global Business course at Harvard Business School which definitely solidified my motivation to be a commercial lawyer!

What tips do you have to balance work, studying, and life?

Stick to a schedule but plan for the expected

Although you should try to stick to your schedule as best as possible, you should allow a buffer for when unexpected things come up. You can do this by allotting extra time between tasks which will help you to avoid getting stressed if things do not go according to plan. 

Don't leave things to the last minute

Break down your project or assignment into small steps or goals and tick them off as you achieve them. There are plenty of task management and productivity apps out there that are designed to help students make the most of their study time. The Freedom app is a clever tool that helps to manage distractions by blocking the internet and social media across different devices. Also, Notion is a great app for setting goals, reminders and to do lists that can help keep you in-check and on schedule.

Invest in your health and well-being and make the most of the time you have if you're not working. 

Eating nutritious food, exercising, and getting enough sleep is so important. It will improve your memory and productivity, increase your focus and decision-making skills, and help you process information faster. This will also help you to reduce stress which will ensure that you are centred and working to the best of your ability.

It is also important to reward yourself and make time for things that make you happy - whether that's having a nice dinner, going on a fun day trip on the weekend or going shopping! This will encourage you to strengthen good habits.

Set boundaries

When you have a lot of things to do, setting boundaries is essential. It’s one of the simplest ways you can maintain balance in your work and study life as you can’t do everything, and therefore you should set boundaries for what’s realistic.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I am an enthusiastic traveler and I love a good challenge. In my gap year, I overcame my fear of heights by climbing the Harbour Bridge in Sydney!