Final thoughts from Anthony

My last post identified things in the Laws programme at University of London which have worked well for me over the year.  However, during the year, there have also been some things which haven’t gone according to plan. Here are some of the challenges which I have had to overcome: –

1. The law study group which I had been optimistic could be formed, did not materialize. Unfortunately, due to varying commitments on the part of other students in my city, arranging lives (family, career etc.) around a mutually convenient time for all simply had not been possible. I’m sure this has happened for other students?
2. The technical problems associated with the online library during the year was frustrating as it impacted ease of access.
3. Difficulty in putting in the required hours of daily/weekly study recommended for each course module, although necessary, has been difficult and challenging
4. Being unable to access the Senate House library as an International Programme student due to UOL regulations requiring that I pay for such access

Notwithstanding the successes and failures already outlined, the year has also been one wherein I have attempted to be proactive in jump starting my law career including: –

1. Joining one of the Inns of Court in the UK (utilizing the Inn’s library and trying to network with other students in more advanced stages their studies relative to me, and lawyers already established in the profession).
2. Going to as many law events such as seminars, and discussions whenever and wherever possible
3. Acquired a software device which allowed me to scan documents relevant to my notes
4. Kept abreast as much as possible of legal developments via the media. I have been especially amazed as to the recent UK Supreme Court ruling that for the past approximately 30 years, the notion of “Joint Enterprise” had been incorrectly understood and applied in courts. I might therefore have to unlearn some of what I learned on this issue when I did the Criminal Law course module.

I hope other students can relate to these issues, and maybe my suggestions can I hope can be modelled by other students.

As this is my last article, I would like to share a personal experience I had with the hope that other students will find it of value (encouraging md motivating). In studying I have battled greatly with sleep (it is amazing how to alluring sleep can be when one is required to resist it), exhaustion (volume of information required to be covered for the LLB), and distraction (career, family and life on a whole). However, in my attempts to be successful at the LLB programme these battles have had to be waged and won. During the year I attended an event which had among its guests a Lord Justice of the UK Court of Appeal. At this event I used the opportunity to have a brief discussion with him about my law studies, and desire for a career in law. His response in summary was that law is extremely demanding, exceptionally competitive and requiring focus, discipline and sacrifice. He also pointed out that I be conscious that even the most Senior Judge (in any country), or the most successful or well-known lawyer have had to fully apply themselves from the humble and early beginnings of being law students, in order to be ultimately successful in what is a truly noble professional. I was appreciative of these words, to which I think we can all relate.

I wish everyone all the best in their exams, and thank you all for being kind enough to share your knowledge, thoughts and ideas via the VLE.  We are international programme students, so let’s continue to help each other so that we come to realise that we are not alone even when it appears that to be the case, because in truth we are all in this together.