What it's like to study law: a tale from a first-year student
By UQ graduate Ella North
Ella with fellow law students on a visit to the Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law in Brisbane.
Ella with fellow law students on a visit to the Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law in Brisbane.
Studying law is both a challenging yet highly rewarding feat, and preparation is key! I’m going to share what it’s really like to be a law student and provide some useful tips for how to make the most of your first year (and remaining years!) at UQ.
Before law school: pathways to study law
First thing’s first – getting accepted into law school at university can be a challenge in itself! If you’re not accepted straight into law school at UQ straight away, don’t be deterred; there are several alternative pathways you can take to gain entry. For example, you can apply to start at UQ in a different degree like the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Commerce. Then, after successfully completing 1 year of study, you can either reapply for law or apply to transition into a dual degree combining law with the first degree.
How to prepare for class (and not fall behind!)
Many students expect to become the next Elle Woods or Harvey Specter when studying law. While this could happen in the future, it takes a great deal of hard work and commitment to study.
The rumours are true – there is a lot of reading and reading takes a lot of time! I found reading case law and textbooks quite dense and difficult at first, but I soon realised I was not alone in feeling this way. So don’t fret if you ever feel like you’re struggling with law. Through practise, you will learn ways to manage your reading effectively. And remember, everyone learns differently.
Along with the reading comes problem solving and answering the questions required for seminar preparation. You are expected to attend both the lecture, where you’ll learn the content, and the seminar, where you consolidate and apply the content. My greatest piece of advice here is to keep up with the work and the readings in a way that suits you. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself bogged down when assessment time comes. I also find it very useful to write short summaries of cases or the specific law principle after each week to consolidate my learning. Finally, I find using the opportunity to talk with my friends, peers and tutors to be highly valuable in the process of learning.
What you'll study
There are a wide range of courses on offer at UQ covering most areas of the law. Some might seem a bit dry but others are absolutely riveting – it just depends on what interests you personally.
In each course you’ll study real-life cases designed to equip students with practical and applicable skills for the workforce.
In later years of the degree, students can choose their electives and create their own pathway based on what they want to do with their law degree. There is also the opportunity for overseas study in a variety of places across the world. If this is something you’d be interested in doing, keep an eye out for these opportunities as they are constantly updated.
Beyond the classroom
Believe it or not, studying law at UQ isn’t just about studying. There are lots of opportunities to get involved in activities outside of the classroom and connect with fellow students.
The UQ Law Society offers a diverse range of extra-curricular activities that you can take part in beyond your studies. I am a major nerd for music and the arts and I discovered there was something for me – UQ Law Revue, a musical comedy produced by the very talented law students of UQ.
Not only are there arts, but there are a variety of sports and external competitions like mooting, negotiations and witness examinations that all law students can get involved in, regardless of your level of experience or ability. In addition to these, there is also a variety of social events such as the annual Law Ball, End of Semester Drinks and First Year Dinner to name a few.
Ella at the Law Ball
Ella at the Law Ball
With the plethora of external activities available, I highly encourage everyone to become actively involved as it is a great break from studying and you make great, life-long connections.
Staying healthy while studying
The workload for law can be very tiring and time-consuming, so it’s important to stay healthy and active. I have made great new friends who are committed to study, but always have time to hang out and forget about assessments for a while. I manage to balance study with my social life, sleep, work and hobbies as well as taking the time to care for my body - who knew the gym could actually be something to look forward to?!
I believe the best way to manage what seems like a very long list of things to do is to plan ahead and schedule your time. This can be as simple as investing in a calendar or a groovy new diary – time for an Officeworks trip! But be warned - there will always be late nights and a rushed exam or seminar preparation. This is inevitable and all a part of uni life.
My overall experience of studying law is that it is tough but challenging in a good way. There will always be lots of work to do but, more importantly, lots of exciting new opportunities. I love law school, and I think you will too!
About the author
Ella wrote this when she was in her first year studying a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws degree majoring in Political Science and Criminology. In her spare time, Ella was an enthusiastic volunteer at the university and a passionate band member performing at various UQ Law Society events. She graduated from her degree in 2024 and has now commenced a graduate role at a commercial law firm in Brisbane.
Ella North
Ella North
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