In our recent blog post Celebrating Success – Brigid Cotter Prize and Graduate Entry Awards we recognised the outstanding success of our students in winning one of two prizes awarded by Undergraduate Laws at the University of London.
In this post, two of our winners of the Graduate Entry Prize 2024-25 share their advice on:
- The study habits, strategies, or approaches that contributed most to their success.
- Any particular challenges they faced during their studies, and how they overcame them.
- What advice they would you give to other students preparing for future examinations.
Kudachchige Ayodya Gayathri De Alwis
- I began my coursework in September last year and attended lectures and tutorials at my RTC, which I made sure to follow regularly. Along the way, I kept practicing past exam papers and going through examiner reports which really helped me understand what the examiners expect. I also prepared my own notes and charts to make studying easier and more engaging for myself. The University of London VLE was another great tool that kept me up to date with current trends and practical aspects of the subjects, which made the material feel alive and relevant. With all those resources, I think being consistent and staying genuinely curious about the subjects helped me succeed.
- One of the biggest challenges for me was typing speed, since I was used to writing by hand. I made it a point to practice and test myself often until I improved. Another challenge was balancing my studies with other everyday responsibilities. At times it felt overwhelming, but I reminded myself that we all get the same 24 hours each day. If we use that time wisely, it really is enough to do everything that matters. With discipline and small, steady efforts, I managed to find a balance and keep going. And also, I am grateful to my support system – my family and my friends who were with me throughout this journey, ensuring my emotional well-being.
- The University of London LLB programme is of a very high standard, and it’s important to remember that the material can’t be mastered overnight. My advice is to take it one step at a time, stay committed, and most importantly, enjoy the process. If you cultivate a genuine interest in what you’re learning, you’ll never feel like studying is a burden. Be consistent from the very beginning so that exam time doesn’t become overwhelming. Believe in yourself, stay steady, and don’t forget, you can do this!
Mariam Waqar Khattak
- Practising. Practise as much as possible and make sure to have a detailed list of all relevant case law broken down by chapter available at hand while you type out your answer.
- Law is quite a content rich subject – there is just so much to learn. However, making connections between concepts and cases across subjects e.g between contract and tort will allow you to not only absorb the ideas quicker but also remember them.
- Get as much feedback on your responses from your teachers as possible, compare your answers to the ones available on VLE and keep practicing.