First Impressions

Hey everyone !

My second post took a bit longer than expected, but hey! The girl is busy.
So, I’ve just started my second week as a postgraduate student, and I just want to share a few things with you all.
The first week was a bit of an introductory week, as always. We got to pick up an incredible collection of heavy books, so heavy, I nearly broke my shoulder that day! (Would’ve sued them, they have no business putting me in such a dangerous position!)

However, the day wasn’t all about pain and suffering. We got to walk off with these bad boys too!

I know what your next questions are: ‘An iPad?! For free?! Why Don’t I get an iPad? Why does life treat me unfairly?’ Well, before you lose it, let me tell you that it’s not exactly a ‘free’ item. When one pays 11k to study, a £400 tablet is to be considered as part of the fee. Don’t you think?

Anyway. Although it was just an introduction week, they did a great job making me nervous and considering dropping out before starting. The second week proved how intense the workload can be, and showed that I need to have my hands on deck from the start. In terms of difficulty, I wouldn’t say it’s hard. But let’s not speak too soon, we just started!

The course itself places emphasis on practice as opposed to academic ability. This means that assessments are based on skills you will need when you finally get that dream job in that lovely firm. Examples are writing, interviewing, researching and litigation. You can almost forget everything you’ve learned during your undergrad course.. almost.

I only got to know my class two days ago, they seem alright. Those who know me, know that I’m friendly with very few friends. Not all are worthy of the title ‘friend’. So it should be interesting to see who will become a.. close acquaintance ?? haha!

A few tips on how to tackle the LPC as advised by lecturers:
(I believe these may be relevant for all postgrad courses)

1. Treat it like a 9-5 job.
   Yes, that means you should spend around 40hours on your work. This includes the time spent in lectures as well as time spent doing the relevant assignments or extra reading where needed. As I stated earlier, it is just my second week, but boy! The workload is intense!
2. Get a good filing system.
   Tagging, colour coding, whatever works for you. Albeit electronic or paper, make sure you remain organised. You don’t want to be looking for that important sheet of paper they gave you during accounting, when you’ve actually chucked it in your criminal litigation notes.
3. Don’t fall behind. i.e: work hard.
   Classes are designed to build upon what was said in the previous one. This means that it is your responsibility to ensure you understand everything before the next class, or you’ll be lost!

I shall return with more information as the course progresses.
Thanks for reading!

 

Feeling young and feeling old.

Hey! And welcome to my blog 🙂 !

Click here to read more about me and my reasons for this blog.

****************

So I’m kicking off this blog with something I’ve had on my mind for a little while.

You may read the title of this story and think ‘but how, Lade? How do you have these two complete opposite feelings at the same time?’ Trust me, I feel just as confused. However, I do know I am not the only one who feels this way, as it seems to be a common phenomenon amongst us twenty-something-ers.

I shall make an attempt to explain myself:
I feel young in the sense that I am ‘just’ 20 and all I have ‘achieved’ is the obtainment of a law degree, which is kind of a big deal. But then again, not really; there’s thousands of other students who have done the same. I feel like there is still an awful lot for me to experience, to do, to learn, to enjoy, to develop myself in, and so forth. And as I am ‘just‘ 20, there’s plenty of time for that, right ? …

I feel old in the sense that I have already graduated and am about the start the Legal Practice Course in exactly 9 days. With that comes securing a Training Contract, which, if everything goes well by the Grace of God, starts shortly after completion of the training contract. This will be for the duration of two years, after which ‘izz all ova’ and I’ll start working. Like .. that’s the end, the grand finale, it’s finished. I’ll be there doing 9-5 plus overtime, finding a house, doing all the ‘grown up stuff’ at 23. This means .. no more random holidays to unknown destinations without giving 6 month’s notice, gone are the days of doing whatever you want, whenever you want.

It’s like.. I need to be at a certain point in my life right now, but I’m so far away. And the process of getting there is so slow.

Am I even ready for all this ? How do you prepare yourself for the ‘big, wide, scary world’? Will that be the day I no loger feel a mixture of young and old, but just plain old?

Time shall tell ..