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DIPLOMA STUDENT, ACADEMIC SESSION 2008/2009

Who am I?

I am a law student from the very north of Scotland. This alone presents difficulties with a move to university but further to this I was born with a disease of the spine. The disease means that much of my school life was adversely affected by medical treatment and bulling as a result. My school life was not the happiest and I always felt like an underachiever but mainly due to the spinal condition. I left school to undertake further education but struggled with this also, although ultimately passing my course.

University?

It was only at age 30, and after 8 years in the same job, that I realised I was not were I wanted to be and felt a great longing to undertake something positive towards my future career. Having studied law as a subject at college I set an extremely high goal for myself, being a non-standard entrant, to attend university for an LLB. At school my English was a problem but I always knew the answer, only had an inability to write the answers. It was this that led me to being tested for dyslexia. So at 30 years old I was finally assessed and discovered I was dyslexic! What a relief to find out and having the opportunity for professional coaching sessions on how to learn. This enabled me to adopt strategies to learn in a new way.

The admission to university meant I had to sit an exam and also illustrate my abilities over life experiences, qualifications and work achievements. I had made my decision to go to university and no matter what hurdle was set for me I would jump it and ultimately get to where I wanted to be... I was, however, accepted and moved hundreds of miles to attend university as a mature student.

Was I ever going to fit in?

My first day was daunting and I wondered how I would fit in...

I had no need for concern as what followed was the most life enhancing experience ever!

The first year I stayed in student halls and boy could those guys party! The following year, until the end of my LLB, I stayed in a private flat with one of the girls I met in Halls and two others. The flat was across the road from the Uni which suited me as I have walking difficulties. I joined clubs and societies and became an active part of the university experience. I met so many amazing people and from all over the world. Due to my spinal problem it makes travel difficult so I now feel I’ve been all over the world without leaving Scotland!

The course itself was inclusive and the lecturers were great at answering any questions and also adopting an “open door” policy for students.

I made many friends and felt part of the university. In third year I was voted as president of the student law society and felt it was at last an opportunity to repay the university back for some of what it had given me. Our committee worked well together to organise events and social gatherings for our members.

The summers while studying were long and I utilised them to the best of my advantage. I find it hard to learn by reading so I attempted to find placements which would assist in my understanding of the law and also how it is made. I worked in all three parliaments over the summer months and also a private law firm and a corporate law firm.

My C.V. became a case of what to leave out and not what to put in!

I graduated in July 2008 with a first class honours and two awards from the university (one being the best performance by an honours student). My classmates shook my hand and hugged me in support. I felt so sad inside that all my friends who had given me so much over the four years could not all graduate with a first class honours but proud also that they thought so much of me to come and congratulate me and that I had made so many true friends.

Life after the LLB

I further attended the Diploma in Legal Practice and have a traineeship lined up with a top Scottish law firm. I have also just received my acceptance for a Phd and intend to undertake this while starting my traineeship. I anticipate this will take 5 or 6 years and will enable me to become a specialist in my field.

The purpose of this case study is not to tell you how great I am but to hopefully tell you how great YOU are! I have had many hurdles to jump and I am far from your everyday university student. I supported myself through university by working so I wasn’t financially dependant on anyone either. If you want something then you need to remain focused and think about what lies ahead and what you want from life. My life has been partly dictated to by being born with a spinal problem and dyslexia but that is nothing compared to some people. To dwell on something which inhibits you from doing something will only eat you up inside and from most negatives can be found something positive. (My life’s ambition has always been to be a mechanic but I can’t do any physical work, so what will I do instead?) Where do you want to be?

Aside from having a career, university provides so much more than that, but it is important to put in if you want to get out. The people I met at university gave me so much and I will never forget the experience and the amazing people I have met (both students and lecturers). I feel I have grown as a person and continue to do so. So what if I don’t get my Phd or end up a partner in a firm, I will probably die trying but along the way I’ve found myself and true happiness....