Are you embarking on the journey to law school? This is the read for you! 

I remember being told in my first ever law class; “Ah yes the kids that weren’t quite mathsy enough for engineering or didn’t want to become doctors due to Year 13 biology trauma …welcome to pre-law!” We’d all laughed, unsure how much of a deep dive this journey would be. 

To put it bluntly, Law School can be daunting! It’s totally understandable and honestly such a relatable experience, that your entire cohort is probably feeling too. The thick stacks of case books in tiny, almost illegible font. The row of suited up boys at the front, answering questions before the professor’s even asked. Or even reading things six times over but not getting it. We’ve all been there. Being a University of Auckland First Year Law student is an ocean of determination, persistence and strategy. These values will serve as your compass and help to navigate the transition from high school to University life. 

A little sneak peak into first year law:

First year law in a nutshell? You’ve got Law 121 in first semester which is about Law and Society. It’s all about the different aspects of law in New Zealand and how they work in harmony. In Semester two, there’s Law 131 and Law 141 surrounding the application of New Zealand law and the relationship between public and private law. This probably makes no sense now, but in due time you will be amidst the students learning, growing and perhaps finding a local spot near University to get your daily caffeine dose. Back in my day, I particularly enjoyed learning about Tikanga Māori in first year because it reminded me of history fused with legal theories. Alongside all this, the courses in first year are designed to help you develop your critical thinking skills, negotiation abilities and knowledge of complex subject matters.

How to succeed:

Need some extra help? Feeling confused or stressed out? The best thing you can do to seize that compass we mentioned earlier is consider Law Tutoring. Law Tutoring with Elan Education to be precise. Elan Education strives to make Law studies accessible, easy and practical. Whether it’s confusion on degree planning, needing to develop strong writing strategies or preparation for exams, Elan Education will shape you to perform at your highest potential. From introductory nights to informative workshops Elan will make you replace those feelings of fear with excitement. Rather than simply telling you what to do, Elan is a place where you will be nurtured and educated. There is a focus on the application of knowledge which is honestly the strongest secret weapon you can have, before entering any legal examination.

So, should I pursue law?

YES! Sure there are sleepless nights, endless caffiene boosts and an assignment grade that may not be up to your standards… but on the contrary, you will make lifelong friends, improve as you go and succeed. Remember that you are capable of infinite success. All in all, first year law can indeed be a difficult case, but is one that is easily solvable. In the wise words of Elan Education; your future is calling, so how will you answer?