Monthly Archives: July 2019

How to find legal work experience and network while studying

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Vladyslav Shutko

The City Law School, Undergraduate work, work experience, work life.

Law graduates and undergraduates face intense competition when applying for pupillages, training contracts and the like, as the requirements for legal work experience have become a necessity as well as a spot-on addition to any résumé.

Without any further delays, let me share some useful advice regarding legal work and volunteering experiences. Some of these are based off my own experiences from studying my LLB (Hons) at City, University of London.

Apply for a Micro-placements programme

City’s micro-placements programme offers excellent opportunities for Law students to gain legal work experience. The programme has been designed for students who want to explore careers different from those traditionally associated with their degree. The initiative is an exciting way to gain professional experience via short summer placements with a wide-range of London-based employers.

Bare in mind, while there are legal internships and micro-placements available, these would not be undertaken within the actual legal sector, however there are many opportunities to gain invaluable experience from the in-house legal team within your selected company.

Attend job fairs

Job fairs are perfect for making connections and finding job opportunities. I highly recommend attending the following fairs:

Law & Social Sciences Fair: Hosted in mid-October, Law students at any stage of their education are eligible to attend the fair and I would urge every Law student to attend. The weekly University e-newsletters sent to students often promote such fairs so look out for them.

Graduate jobs fair: Held on campus in June, this event is an opportunity to meet recruiters from all types of industries and find out about, or even apply for, graduate schemes, immediate roles, internships, and volunteering opportunities. While the event is open to students studying all types of courses, there are a considerable number of law-firms’ recruiters in attendance. Don’t be thrown off by the name of the event, undergrads are welcomed too – I first attended the fair after completing my first year.

Join a law society

I cannot stress the importance of joining a law society at the University. While there are many great societies available for City students, I recommend the following:

The Law Society is one of the greatest societies at City, at least with regards to the number of memberships. The society regularly organises workshops for students, career opportunities, seminars, shares the latest news and offers advice.

Pro Bono Society host various types of social and professional events, they also provide members with multiple professional opportunities, including both internal Pro Bono work as well as external volunteering options.

Join an Inn of Court

I would highly recommend submitting an application and attaining a membership of one of the following Inns of court: Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple. Please be aware that once you become a member, it is not possible to alter your decision and transfer to one of the other Inns, so choose carefully to avoid any kind of disappointment in the future.

For those of you who are intending to qualify as a barrister, it is a mandatory requirement to be a member of an Inn prior to the commencement of your BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course). Having said that, I would advise each and every law student at any stage of their degree to become a member, even if you are planning to take the solicitor’s route.

There are quite a few benefits of getting a membership; networking opportunities, scholarships opportunities, and access to a spectacular library, among others.

Volunteer for Free Representation Unit

Free Representation Unit (FRU) provides free voluntary representation for tribunals in cases where legal aid is unavailable, by helping clients – who do not have any means to pay – with advice, preparation, and representation at social security, employment, disability appeals tribunals, and at the criminal injuries compensation boards and panels.

Volunteering is a great way for those aiming to sit the bar and for future solicitors to gain experience in being a representative, speaking in court, and managing preparatory work before trials.

Eligibility to participate:

For employment tribunals you must be studying for the LLM, BPTC, LPC, or in your second term of GDL.
Third year LLB and GDL students are eligible to volunteer for social security tribunals .
You must have experience in Social Security representation if you are interested in volunteering for criminal injuries compensation tribunals.

City volunteering also has great opportunities to expand your skills and experiences. Register and look for law volunteering opportunities!

The 5 best Portuguese restaurants in London

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Mariana Marques

Explore London Food, lifeinlondon, london.

London has an absolutely great variety of cuisines, but nothing beats the traditional food from our country. Thankfully, there are many Portuguese restaurants in the city centre whose food taste exactly like home. It is true that most of them are on the pricier end, but some of them really are worth treating yourself to at least once.

Bar Dour

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhtbjQihD6T/

One of the best, Bar Dour, serves traditional food from Porto, my hometown, including the so-popular sardines and the best fish in London (you can almost feel you are in Porto!). The environment is welcoming, though the decoration is definitely much posher than the typical restaurant you would find in this Portuguese city. It is located between Southwark and London Bridge station.

Santa Nata

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIO5yjHbsZ/

Santa Nata in Covent Garden is definitely for nata lovers. If you are one of the few that has never tried natas, then this is a must-go place. This bakery/coffee shop produces the creamiest egg custard (the secret to the perfect nata), exactly like the ones you’d have in Portugal. This sweet tart is all over London, even in non-traditional coffee shops and restaurants, but not many produce real, good-quality ones. Santa Nata also has a large window that allows customers to see the full production.

O Cantinho de Portugal

O Cantinho de Portugal restaurant has an extensive menu of authentic Portuguese food only, if you want to try more than the typical sardines, Porto wine or custard tarts. It is family-run, and it is located in Stockwell— an area well-known for being the home of many Portuguese people. I’d suggest you go for the Francesinha, codfish or monkfish.

Estrela

Another one that I’ve visited and would recommend is Estrela. Once again, this is a family-run business and all the staff is Portuguese. They tried to compile all the best of the Portuguese culture and cuisine to provide a friendly space to their customers while honouring traditions. The food is absolutely divine, and they accept reservations for events too – in case you feel like throwing a memorable Portuguese party! Find Estrela in South Lambeth Road (closest station is Oval).

A Toca

Last but not least, there is A Toca – I celebrated my 18^thbirthday here with some friends, so this place is definitely dear to my heart. The staff is very welcoming, the decoration is 100% what you would find in typical Portuguese restaurants in Porto or Lisbon, and the food is delicious— though, I have to mention, a little more expensive than in Portugal. A main meal would be around £12-16. This one is located in Camden.

These are just a few of the many Portuguese places in London (most of them are around Brixton and Stockwell) — I’ve tried these and can safely say you won’t regret coming here! Plus, Portugal has an extraordinary cuisine— a lot of fish dishes (the most popular being the codfish), great beer and beautiful desserts. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do, always!

A day in the life of a Media, Communications and Sociology undergrad

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Joon Ha Park

School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate a day in the life, UG student life, undergraduate, work life balance.

BSc (Hons) Media, Communications and Sociology student, Joon ha Park, gives us a glimpse into what a typical day at City, University of London is like for him.

10am

All of my lectures and tutorials started after 9am this year, this meant that waking up early wasn’t required much and I could sleep in.

Being a Media, Communications and Sociology student (or generally a social sciences student, for that matter) means that you have to be clued up with what is happening around the world. So, the first thing I usually do after waking up is to check my phone for the latest news. I use Twitter, and follow a number of news accounts, political commentators and journalists so that my feed informs me of what is happening in different corners of the world.

I shower and prepare brunch, either an omelette with some toast and tea or a nice little Korean breakfast with a bowl of rice and some soup. I don’t usually have lunch, I like to have a big breakfast or brunch to kick-start the day.

After I finish my meal, I go back to my room and check my email to see if there is any reminders or changes that I should be aware of before classes. Today’s lectures are “News and Society” and “Sociology of Race and Racism”.

I leave my flat at around 11.30am, making my way to the Rhind Building, where most of the media lectures and tutorials are held.

11.50 am

I arrive at the lecture hall and there’s always a few early birds with earphones in, or just reading a novel. I sit at my usual row, and wait for my friends and the lecturer to begin her class. As the clock ticks, more and more students and my friends walk in to the lecture hall (most with a Sainsbury’s meal deal in their hands or a beverage of some sort). After a while, the lecturer comes greeting everyone as she walks in with a smile, and turns on the projector and says,

“Okay guys, good afternoon. Let’s start.”

She starts a lecture on current issues in the news such as ‘Fake News’ and raises questions for us to answer during the tutorials. I’ve acquired a habit of note-taking since secondary school, so I open my Mac to take notes of the lecture, highlighting the interesting bits she says. I also link in some of the news that I read in the morning to some of the theories that she points out.

12.50 pm

Lecture ends and we make our way to the next lecture “Sociology of Race and Racism” which is located all the way in the Drysdale Building.

My lectures and tutorials take place at various different locations on campus. In total, four different buildings. The Drysdale building, the Rhind Building, the University Building and the College Building. So, there is a lot of walking and talking with friends in between going to different lectures and tutorials.

Sociology lectures are great, they really get you thinking about the world around you and this one was no different – the topic under discussion was the growing number of refugees in our world today. It’s always satisfying to sit through a lecture where the academic exudes so much passionate about the topic.

Tutorials are the best time to digest the information from the lectures. Usually my media tutorials are filled with debates and discussions on current world events, where people from all different backgrounds voice their opinions on an issue and the tutorial leader asks us to link it back to the theories. It’s always different. One day you’re debating if journalism is dying and the other you’re discussing the role of gatekeeping in world politics. That’s why it’s so important for a media student to know what is going on in the world.

My sociology tutorials are filled with debates on the readings and the theories rather than world events. Since it’s more of a theory-based course, our discussions in class usually turn into questions that we need clarification from.

I love my course, it’s a mix of the things that I love: media, debates and social relations.

5pm

I’m done for the day and I usually head back to my flat and make some warm dinner and maybe watch a TV show episode while I eat. After eating, I review some of the material that we went over today and do some reading.

More or less, that’s the day in the life of a Media, Communications and Sociology undergrad here at City.

Till next time! – JH

A day in the life of a Journalism undergrad

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Mariana Marques

Undergraduate a day in the life, Journalism, UG student life, undergraduate, work life balance.

City, University of London BSc (Hons) Journalism student, Mariana Marques, writes a candid account of what a typical day at University is like for her.

Morning

I wish I was one of those students that gets up, puts on whatever comes first in the closet and runs to university. Instead, I wake up at least two hours before (around 7am), have breakfast calmly (two cups of coffee is a necessity), check emails, spend 20 minutes enjoying snuggling in bed, and only then start to get ready.

Morning conversations in my flat are very rare, mostly because I am currently living with strangers. There are pros and cons to it: we don’t share much of our day, so I have forgotten what it is like to run to my flatmate’s room when something exciting happens, or when I’m having a hard time. In the morning though, I am quite thankful: I need my time alone.

Like most students, I don’t sleep much (7 hours maximum, don’t follow my lead). However, unlike most students, I enjoy getting up early and taking advantage of my time, so morning classes aren’t that much of a pain for me.

The most common morning text is “Where is the class?” because, you know, humans have the memory of a goldfish – students included. There is often a generous soul who will even tell me exactly HOW to get to that room. Fortunately, it only takes me about 10 minutes walking to university- I would absolutely hate to take the tube in the morning and so I admire those who commute to work every day.

When in class, I always try to find my best friends to sit next to and we often catch up then. With the classmates I’m not close with, the conversation goes as it follows: “How are you?”, “Good and you?”, “Tired”, “Yeah, me too”. It stops there, but I believe if I needed their help, they would be there for me.

I’m a busy person with two part-time jobs and because I do fashion and beauty blogging, I’m often attending events in the evening. That leaves me with no time to catch up with friends or for alone time, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

The reality is that having a coffee by myself (I love spending time by myself, weirdly, or not) has become a luxury, but who doesn’t like little luxuries? It makes us realise that time is precious.

Afternoon

After a morning class, I’ll head home for a quick lunch while I keep updated with my latest TV series. I love multi-tasking and watching TV Series while eating.

Trying not to fall asleep after lunch is a real issue, but one more cup of coffee after (and resisting the temptation to sit on my bed), and I’m ready to head to my other job. My job is flexible so I can choose which days I work and if I want to work morning or evening shifts. If I’m not working (lucky me!), I’ll go for coffee with a friend, shopping, or binge watch a good TV Series. If I am working in the evening, then my free time is non-existent.

Evening

I’ll have dinner at work, head home around 10-11pm, make myself some tea and scroll down on Instagram for the next half-an-hour or so because no matter how busy I am, I’m young and wild and free, and there is always time for a quick scroll (being a millennial is an excuse for this, I suppose).

Studying Journalism means I am not required to do much independent study as there are many more writing and in-class projects than exams. Evenings are a good time for me to put a relaxing music playlist on and do my coursework.

I often go to bed around midnight – I will never be the kind of student who works overnight to meet a deadline. Organising may well be my middle name as I try to stick to my agenda as much as possible and hate leaving things until last minute.

Once in a while there is an exciting event to attend, and I’m always up for socialising, meeting people, having a drink (or more than one, depending on the day of the week)- I’m a lucky one for having incredible people around me.

I hope you didn’t get bored while reading this (the word “work” might appear too much, but I guarantee you I have lots of fun). I have to admit being a Journalism student in London is quite cool.

Mastering the student life

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Patricia Nascimento

Advice, Postgraduate lifeinlondon, Postgraduate, work life balance.

Studying a postgraduate degree related to your passions is exciting especially if you are doing it at one of the most exhilarating cities in the world, right? Well, there’s more to it.

Being a master’s student involves dedication, time management, diligence and focus. You can enjoy London to the fullest, but you must master the balance of fun and work to ensure you have that top-notch degree on your CV. Here I tell you the way’s I have managed making it through my master’s degree without stress mounting.

Create a routine

My daily life in London is intense but very exciting. I have created a routine of waking up early to prepare my coursework as soon as it has been assigned to me, this way I avoided stress when deadlines approached. To soldier through I need lots of motivation and I can only describe mine in six letters: C-O-F-F-E-E. Tip: grab your cup and head straight to uni, London is amazing for it, you can find good coffee easily and for a very good price.

Work hard, play harder

Routines aside, studying in London means you’ve got to make time to enjoy its cosmopolitan energy. After a full-day of working hard on the comfy sofas on the third floor of the library, I like to reward myself at the pub with a cider among the company of friends.

Change your environment

If I get bored of studying at the library, I pack up and go to Goswell Road and sit down with my books in a coffee shop – there are countless around campus. I do this often because it allows me to enjoy the city, an added benefit while I get my work done and ultimately avoid building anxiety from work overload.

Weekends to the rescue

Weeks of work are intense and it’s not every day that I can release stress. Sometimes I get so tired I just want my best friend – my bed. So, during busier periods, I am left with the weekends for stress relief.

A warning but sometimes you will have to work through the weekends. But as I mentioned, it’s all about time management and if you plan ahead, you can definitely crash that party on the weekend feeling no guilt at all, and your schedule intact.

If you are into partying hard there’s lots of fun places near campus in Shoreditch, but be aware, you will not be in the best shape or form to study the next day – well, at least I can’t. I am usually knocked out asleep the next day whenever I go partying into the early morning. I usually reserve these nights for when I have no lectures the next day or big assignments ahead.

Embrace your living arrangements

It may sound strange, but during the exam period, or when you are working on a big assignment, it may seem like you are living within the University – I am not joking. I even thought about bringing a tent once. Just kidding! (Am I?).

I live in student accommodation and I’ve built good friendships with my hall mates. It’s good to talk to someone while you cook your meals; you may even have an unexpected study buddy in the common room some days. Having friends to share my difficulties and overall experiences has helped me cope with all the responsibilities I carry as a master’s student.

The golden rule is balance

Don’t be too hard on yourself that you sacrifice your free time, but don’t leave your work behind either because you’re enjoying London life too much. If you want to eat at your favourite restaurant but your deadline is in four days, get it delivered to you. You can enjoy that well deserved day off, while achieving top scores in your coursework too! It’s satisfying to acquire both fun memories and academic accomplishments. So, by the end of September, you could be receiving your degree and enjoying the sentiment of “my work is done!” while having spent the year in one of the best cities in the world. Well done!

A day in the life of an LLB student

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Vladyslav Shutko

The City Law School, Undergraduate a day in the life, UG student life, work life, work life balance.

Hello, my name is Vladyslav Shutko and I am studying the LLB (Hons) at City, University of London. Here I share what a typical day at university is like for me and I’ve added from practical advice too.

6.00 am

First alarm on my phone goes off. Very first thought: hit the snooze button.

Nah, it’s not an alarm clock, but an alarm on my phone, it would be too costly to throw it across the room.

I make an effort to roll out of bed get dressed. Then, I either go out jogging or head to the gym pool for a morning energising swim, or I walk the dog/s as part of one of my part-time temporary jobs. A fine law student should keep active to maintain energy levels, I would suggest checking out the City Sport – it’s a great choice for those who live near the uni.

7.15 am

I begin reading the latest news, at least briefly, so I am commercially aware. It is a vital part of a law student’s day, especially at the time of ‘Brexit talks domination’.

I would recommend reading The Guardian to stay informed. Having said that, the dose of politics and business-related news MUST be kept to a minimum, otherwise it might have a negative impact on my sanity.

7.30 am

I start reading, preferably in Ukrainian or Russian, anything really, apart from English. It help’s refresh my memory and language skills – an attractive skill to have to increase my chances of employment – as knowledge of various languages puts you at an advantage (law students must always keep their employability in mind).

A bit of supplementary literature would never harm, I quite enjoyed and would recommend ‘Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken’ by The Secret Barrister (audiobook is FREE with Audible trial).

8.00 am

Quickly and rather unintentionally, but out of a survival instinct, I grab some kind of breakfast, take a shower, and take off to run errands.

9.00 am

I attend morning workshop. The classroom is half empty but might start filling up by the end of the term, right before the exam period commences. Those brave ones who made it for the class, normally tend to look akin to zeks in USSR’s types of prisons, unless they manage to grab a cup of coffee.

Morning classes are difficult but try not to skip any, instead try getting to bed early so you’re focused and making those small steps to becoming a successful lawyer.

11.00 am

Depending on the day, a good law student should head to the library to wrap everything up. Regular studying is the formula of success; revising leading up to exams is not enough because the amount of information to memorise for the LLB is far too much to memorise.

6.00 pm

By the evening I normally have different meetings scheduled. It is worth signing up for various types of events, such as meetings with lawyers, judges and academics, to build connections as well as receive practical advice from legal practitioners.

This is what my typical day looks like but your’s may look different. Embrace university life, strike a balance between study and social activities and enjoy this transitional time in your life.