Starting University is a big change, but studying Law at Durham has been a great experience! This is what a typical day looks like for me as a third-year law student.
Lectures and seminars
This year, I have very few classes each week. However, on the days I do, my mornings usually consist of lectures or seminars.
On Monday, I have a one-hour Law and Medicine Lecture where we look at legal and ethical issues within the medical field, such as consent and transplantations.
Seminars are usually two hours, and in my Thursday Law and Social Justice seminar, we have long group discussions on the social impact of the law on topics such as Police Stop and Search and Disability and Education.
I also take a Spanish module as we were able to choose a non-law module this year. It has been great to do something different to law!
Independent study
Law requires a lot of independent reading, so I usually use my afternoons to read on the topics covered in class. This often takes a few hours but is nice for looking at the law critically – examining its strengths and weaknesses – after we learnt about its foundations in lectures.
I also use this time to write up any assignments. The most interesting project I am currently working on is my dissertation which compares the Jamaican and Norwegian Incarceration systems. A 12,000-word essay can sound daunting, but it has been fun to research a topic that really interests me. My dissertation supervisor has been really helpful in providing me with guidance, but I love having total control over my own project that I have seven months to complete.
Societies and social life
Every evening is different! One evening, I can be competing in a mock trial or attending a networking event; the next evening I can be eating out with my friends at one of Durham’s many restaurants (my favourite is Zen), another evening I can be relaxing in bed with a book.
Student life is fun, and you have complete control over your schedule. I like to keep my lifestyle balanced and leave the evenings free for relaxation and fun.
My experience so far
Initially, I had to adjust to the different demands university work places on you, but the transition was smooth as you have great classmates and helpful lecturers.
The course has equipped me with the critical skills I need to go on to study the Bar Course to qualify as a barrister. I have had many extra-curricular and networking opportunities to develop practical skills that will benefit my future career.
My key piece of advice to you is: enjoy the journey! Three years goes very fast, and you will always have a lot of work to do. Take time to invest in yourself, make new friends, try new hobbies and travel to different places.
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