Time is not on my side

By stephan in Gandhi & Me - LLM at UCL 2008-2009 on Mar 31, 2009

Time is definitely not on your side as an LLM student (*) - to start off with a sweeping generalisaton. Of course it depends on the approach you choose. Some students are just keen on the title and do not care about fancy 'distinctions'. Hence they use their intelligence to pass the LLM with as little effort as possible (the so-called 'party approach'). On the other end of the scale we find the 'all-you-can-eat approach'. You paid a hefty lump of money mostly by yourself and you want to grasp as much knowledge and experience as possible. So you read as much as you can, audit additional classes and attend guest lecturer events.

Whatever approach one chooses, it can be generally stated that an average LLM student always lacks time. The reading for the courses takes up a lot of time since reading lists are ranging from extensive to ridiculous (even if you focus on the recommended reading). Add finding material and printing it. Or as one fellow student put it: "I feel like I have done a lot of work just finding the materials to read."

Maybe you want to stay in London or the UK after the LLM and apply for a graduate programme? Be prepared to spend a lot of time applying in the early weeks of your courses (deadlines are ludicrously early), going to interviews and career events. Or you might want to get involved in the countless societies, clubs, moot courts and volunteer opportunities. Some people even work part time next to a full time LLM or cruise the world to attend conferences and pursue their academic career. Hats off, I couldn't do it.

It can become too much. "Everyday I have a nervous breakdown.", I overheard one girl say. But: Don't panic! Thousands of people have mastered the LLM before you, loads of them neither as intelligent nor as zealous as you.

(*) My lack of blog posts may serve as the perfect proof.

Comments

stephan, May 15, 2009 20:23

Normally in the UK you need to become a solicitor before practising law, so the LLM on it's own is not of much use. Some law firms, however, have a direct LLM intake. You should be able to find more in the Discussion Board section.

bhuwan, May 12, 2009 09:15

what about the career prsopects of an llm other than teaching??can u get a well paid job just on the basis of your llm?sorry fer bein so explicit