Success as a student demands not only strong academic skills, but also effective study habits, disciplined time management, and genuine engagement with your chosen field of study.
In the latest instalment of the Legal 500 Future Lawyers blog, law student and aspiring barrister Malcolm Glover sets out his tips designed to help you excel in your law – or any other degree programme.
Master the Basics
Understand the core concepts: law is built on foundational subjects such as contract law, torts, public law and criminal law. It is of paramountcy to grasp these topics before delving into more intricate topics.
Study statutes and case law: the law is firmly grounded in case law and statutes. It is essential to read and analyse landmark cases alongside the relevant statutes to understand how legal principles have evolved over time.
Effective Time Management
Prepare in advance: Create a detailed study schedule, breaking down your reading and assignments week by week, then day by day. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so prioritise your tasks according to deadlines.
Don’t be a crammer: Exams often require deep analysis and application of knowledge. Consistently improving by just 1% each day is more effective than pushing yourself with intense bursts of effort, which can lead to exhaustion and burnout for days or even weeks.” Regular study will ensure retention of information.
Consistent study: Set aside a couple of hours each day for study and stick to a rigid routine.
Learning Techniques
Summarise your notes: After each lecture or seminar, take time to review your notes and create concise summaries which reinforce your learning.
Discuss with your peers: Form study groups or discussion circles. Explaining concepts to others helps to deepen your own understanding.
Develop your Writing Skills (NOW!)
Practise essay writing: Most exams and assignments are essay-based.
Practise structuring your essays in a clear, logical and concise manner. Refine your writing by engaging in regular practice—write for the sheer enjoyment of it. Express your opinions on topics that captivate you and then share your work with a friend or family member to find out whether your ideas are conveyed clearly. One of the most effective ways to improve your writing is to immerse yourself in examples by fine writers such as some of my personal favourites Lord Denning, George Orwell and Mark Twain. Cultivate a habit of reading extensively. Read, read, and read some more.
Stay precise and concise: Law is about precision. Avoid excessive jargon. Focus your efforts on clarity in expressing your legal points.
Stay Up to Date with Legal Developments
Follow current events: Stay up to date with the news and ongoing cases to broaden your understanding of ongoing debates and emerging trends in the law.
ALWAYS Seek Feedback
Get feedback on your work: Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback on assignments, essays, and exam practice from your lecturer. Use this constructive feedback to improve your approach. Apply the feedback from professors or tutors to your next pieces of work.
Look After Your Well-Being
Rest: It’s not all work and no play. Take regular breaks; you’re allowed to rest. A rested mind is more efficient.
Networking and Extra-Curricular Activities
Moot court or debates: Participation in moots court, debates, mini pupillages and vacation schemes provide you with valuable practical exposure to the legal profession.
Discipline rewards diligence, consistency, and remember “Ad astra per aspera” …through hardships to the stars”.
Malcolm Glover