A Typical Day for a Law Student

A snapshot into the day of a Law student

Studying Law at the University of Chester consists of a varied timetable. Some weeks I’ll be spending hours buzzing around campus with lots to do and other weeks my schedule will be a bit quieter, and I’ll be doing my seminar prep work from home.

My typical busy day usually involves me heading to campus where I’ll have two seminars (with a break in between), and then a lecture. I wasn’t quite sure of the difference between a lecture and a seminar before I started university, so I thought I’d mention it here. A lecture is where your lecturer will go into depth talking about a specific topic. Seminars are where we interact with the lecturers and discuss relevant topics, as well as completing tasks in groups. During my breaks in between classes, I usually make a start on my seminar prep work for the coming week.

Prep work includes reviewing online lectures, which are typically split into multiple videos totalling up to around an hour, these are pre-recorded videos which are available at any time. I also carry out my compulsory reading and sometimes take multiple choice tests (MCTs) to build on what I have learned in classes.

How my assessments help me for the future

MCTs are used consistently for seminar prep and are also harnessed as a form of assessment at the University. This assessment format is useful to practice as, to become a Solicitor, you must undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), where you are assessed via multiple choice tests. We get to try out relevant skills right from when we first start in the Law degree at Chester.

My other assessments on the course include essays and problem questions. These are assigned to the class up to four weeks in advance and can be completed at any time within this window. These assessments are in place instead of physically sitting in an exam hall. There has been one assessment I have completed in timed conditions where I still had 24 hours to construct answers to a series of questions, half of which we had access to prior to the start time so we could prepare. These methods are designed to reflect the conditions of a task you would be set in a work environment, as in real life you would have time to carry out research and prepare your answers to complex questions. The University consistently incorporates methods of assessment to mimic what we’re going to experience as graduates.  

Extra opportunities

The Law School offers opportunities to gain experience doing a range of subject-relevant co-curriculars, including Pro Bono work in a variety of areas of Law. You can learn crucial skills and gain responsibilities in a Law setting by getting involved in a series of projects that are led by student Project Managers. 

You can also have the immeasurably beneficial experience of helping practicing Solicitors with writing letters of advice to clients as part of the University’s Law Clinic. This is something which I have been fortunate enough to take part in, and not only did I enjoy it and get a more practical outlook on how the legal world works, but the experience also consolidated my career aspirations. I recommend getting involved in the co-curriculars the University of Chester offers as it will help inform your learning and will show future employers that you’re willing to go above and beyond. The Law Clinic and the Pro Bono opportunities add so much value to the learning experience, make sure to get involved as you study at Chester!

Discover more about how you can achieve more than you thought possible with a Law degree at the University of Chester by checking out our course page.