What made you decide to study Law at the University of Bristol?

I was very open minded at the start of the UCAS application process; I visited about 15 universities around the country and considered a whole range of subjects, including Politics, Economics and Geography - so I certainly wasn’t set on law school from the beginning! My decision was ultimately made at an open day: the university and city had such a great atmosphere and I could really see myself fitting into Bristol life. The staff and students were the biggest factor in my decision, with the students offering practical and honest advice for Law School life, and staff showing real enthusiasm for their subjects. One of the lecturers I spoke to on that day ended up being my personal tutor when I joined the School just over a year later. 

Congratulations on winning ‘Best LLB student in the third year’ and ‘Best final year research project’! How do you feel about winning these awards? 

Thank you – it feels amazing to end my time in Bristol with these awards! The academic staff across all my units this year have been outstanding, both in terms of teaching and support, so their efforts are definitely reflected in these awards too.

It's a huge honour to win the Debbie Phillips Prize for Best LLB student in third year. What I have learnt from this award is the importance of perspective during stressful times like exam seasons. Even though one of my exams did not go to plan this year, and that unit ended up ten marks below any of the others, it did not undermine my efforts in other units or the degree as a whole, and I am delighted to win this award. 

Likewise, I was hugely excited to win the prize for the best FYRP as I chose to explore a relatively recent and unexplored area of migration control. The FYRP is very flexible and open-ended, providing the opportunity to really push your individual learning as far as you want in an area of law that particularly interests you.

Did you feel confident going into your exams that you were on track for a first?

I was in a good position, but I still had 60 credits worth of exams to sit in the final exam period, so nothing was guaranteed. A solid second year result of 74 meant I had a decent buffer going into third year, which perhaps took a little pressure off. I also made changes to my lecture/tutorial preparation for third year, including reading abstracts and conclusions first before reading the full articles, to make my routine more time efficient. A few small changes meant I got through more reading and work during term, and ultimately I felt more prepared than previous years when going into the summer exam period. 

You were awarded an Eileen Drummond and Sheila Anderson Scholarship in your first year, how did that help you with your studies?

The impact of the EDSA Scholarship proved hugely beneficial both personally and academically for my time at the Law School. It meant a significant reduction in the cost of my studies, meaning I was not financially pressured into getting a job. For this I am particularly grateful as I have enjoyed more time to dedicate to my studies and participate in extra-curricular activities such negotiation competitions and the Human Rights Outreach Programme.

The benefits of the EDSA extended beyond my academic studies, allowing me time to engage with the Bristol community and complete over 300 hours of volunteering during my degree. I particularly enjoyed acting as an academic tutor and mentor for IntoUniversity Bristol East, an educational organisation supporting disadvantaged school children, operating in partnership with the University of Bristol.

I’m very lucky to have benefitted from a such an active and generous network of alumni and supporters, so I must reiterate my thanks to the family of Eileen Drummond and Sheila Anderson, the family of Debbie Phillips, the Denise Coates Foundation, the Hochhauser Foundation, Lloyds Banking Group, and many others who have supported my time at the University and undoubtedly contributed to my success. 

What did you dream of being when you were little?

I had a whole list of careers planned out as a child. I distinctly remember wanting to be a vet throughout middle school because animals were a big part of my childhood. I’m not entirely sure how I got from veterinarian to commercial lawyer but I’m still a big fan of animals and would love to be involved in supporting or running an animal rescue in the future.

What are your plans now you’ve graduated?

My next six months will be pretty relaxed after what has been an intense third year at Bristol, and will include some travelling and finally learning to drive. Early next year I will start the accelerated LPC at BPP Holborn, so I’m looking forward to moving to a new city and experiencing what London has to offer. All things being well, I will start my training contract at Freshfields in August 2020, which I hope will be the start of an exciting legal career. The awards I have received during my time at the Law School have given me a great confidence boost that I will take into the LPC and beyond!

What advice would you give someone starting out at the Law School this year?

• Be realistic. Whilst it's great to have high expectations for yourself, it’s good to remind yourself that Law School is hard. When it comes to preparing for tutorials, you will not be able to read every piece of literature on the reading list for every tutorial, and at busy points of the year you may struggle with even the basic reading. This is almost inevitable, but make sure to catch up as soon as you can and don’t fall behind! It’s also crucial to be realistic about your marks at Law School – there will be disappointing marks and setbacks, but what matters most is how you bounce back: take feedback on board and try to leave your disappointment in the past, however difficult that may be. 

• Manage your time. There is a lot of complex material to cover in three years, so make the most of your time. I recommend cementing the basics first before tackling further reading or topics: this may mean re-watching lectures and spending extra time on the textbook reading, but it’s much easier to learn from stable foundations. Also, consider your productivity and efficiency and adjust your personal working style accordingly. For instance, I am most productive when working at home, and save time by handwriting formatives for examined units in exam conditions, but that's just my personal style!

• Put yourself out there. One of the most important pieces of advice I would offer is to ask questions when you are confused or struggling. You will see your unit tutors for an hour or two every fortnight, so it’s not easy to recognise if there is a problem, especially if you’re naturally quiet. Keeping quiet can cause problems when it comes to revision time, so ask those questions in class or in office hours, don’t just let them slide. Law students also have access to a huge number of extra-curricular opportunities, including many social activities and employability-focused opportunities like mooting competitions in addition to the wider university clubs and societies. It’s worth signing up to a few different opportunities to get some experience and make new friends. 

• Take time off (and don’t feel guilty for it). Time off from work is an absolute MUST for surviving Law School: not only will it give you a better overall university experience, but it will probably help with concentration and mental health in the long run too. It’s not helpful to compare yourself to others who are working more than you; in first year, I felt guilty for not spending as many hours a day in the Wills Library as my flatmate, but by third year I came to accept that whilst I may not be doing as many hours, my schedule worked well for me and that no-one should feel guilty for having a night out or a weekend off.