Tips from a Graduate-To-Be

J o b s & G r o w t h

Tips from a Graduate-To-Be:

Thnks fr th mmrs Ligertwood, I am ready to move on to smaller and worse things. I have had a long and storied six year stint at the University of Adelaide and feel the need to graciously provide first, second, possibly third year students with some advice for getting the most out of Uni, Law School and your legal career!

1. Things will get worse over time:

If I can guarantee one thing, it will be that by the end of your schooling, the overall economic and political situation will be worse – call it entropy. I am not just saying this because I started uni in 2015 – it is a general rule that the situation cannot improve and can only stagnate.

This is true also of the University, which for example cut social/ alcohol-based events, became more decentralised and was subject to numerous scandals throughout my tenure – seriously, bring back the old unibar damn hahah legit what is the Uni Council doing?

Finally, the quality of the Adelaide nightlife has only decreased (from my perspective). With the proliferation of small, trendy bars has come a general increase in prices – the Austral no longer does cheap jugs, new Coopers flavours are getting old, Pirate Life went mainstream, Rhino Room moved and became lame, the Hungry Hippo closed down, admissions fees went up. I could go on, but I don’t want to slide further into melancholy. Siri, play the Smiths.

2. Engage:

It would be better for all of us if you get involved in your broader community. Preference competitions, sport and creative stuff, but also think about clubs – AULSS is the obvious choice, but look into it, it’s not hard! You’ll thank me when you have to write about this shit on your clerkship applications, or when you have no friends, or you get through uni without contributing once a year to the Hilarian – Adelaide Law School’s premier variety publication.

Volunteer too – it’s cool and good, helps your career and might help you figure out your sad, listless life. Not that it has to, but volunteering can easily intersect with the law – check out the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, or any other Community Legal Centre.

Last, go on exchange and make it a year long, it’s sick.

3. Dating:

Few tips here: don’t be surprised if you only date law students that things get a bit incestuous in Ligertwood – if you don’t wanna see your former love in the arms of a fellow contracts student in tortoise shell glasses then I advise looking outside the law school. This is something to get a relatively good idea about early on, so you can plan what type of internship/ volunteer role/work experience you should do as a young law student (think 2nd/3rd year). You can then chat about all the amazing things you’ve already accomplished when you’re trying to get a clerkship. Note: commercial firms can get a bit freaked out by non-commercial experience – so try to specialise early on, or at least whittle down your options.

5. Grades:

In Swot Vac: Watch all lectures and take notes. Read textbook to fill in gaps. Do all seminar activities. Do all practice exams in full, timed. Voila – HD.

This has been the Hilarian’s graduateto-be tips for young law students, heed them well lest you turn out to be as unemployable as us!