Order in the Classroom

I’ve been patiently waiting to watch season 3 of You until all of my assignments were submitted - now that they are, the temptation is real: to binge or not to binge? It’s hard reminding myself that semester isn’t over yet! Exams are rapidly approaching so here are a few things to remember so that we all make it through the final weeks of semester in one piece. Study Space If you’re like me, chances are you’ve been sitting at the same desk to do all of your study for twenty m

The Notre Dame Social Justice Society’s President (and NDSLS’s resident IT expert), Jemima Barlow, shared with me her tips and advice for aspiring Lawyers. A Report by the Law Society of New South Wales released in July 2021 announced that women make up 53% of the 83,643 solicitors practicing in Australia (and for the first time, female lawyers outnumbered male lawyers in every State and Territory). However, now is not the time to be complacent (in other countries it is still

Applying for a job is stressful work! Now more than ever, the pressure to find legal work is extremely high, particularly if you’re also worried about your financial position. If you’re opening up your emails to find yet another email letting you know you didn’t get the job (or worse, ghosted completely) you’re not alone. Rejection is part of the Law School experience – just think of it as character building! You spend all that time perfecting your application, your interview

While we all can agree that Legally Blonde is the quintessential comfort film for Law Students everywhere, why not try something new? Now that Mid-Semester Break is here (and it couldn’t have come soon enough), it’s time to put down those books and actually have a ‘break’! Better Call Saul (Stan) It takes hard work, determination, and a whole lot of hustling to make a name for yourself, particularly as a small-time lawyer! For fans of Breaking Bad, this spin-off series docume

Fifth Year Law Student/serial shopaholic, Maria Howard shared with me some of her tips for Dressing for Success - from the classroom to the courtroom. Casual Fridays (Office-Appropriate Casual Wear) Many medium-to-large size firms will have a ‘Casual Friday’ policy permitting staff to wear their casual attire to work. However, casual still needs to be office appropriate to respect the setting! It’s also helpful to keep this dress code in mind for any casual or networking inte

Congratulations! You’ve made it to Week Seven! It’s the middle of Semester and you may be starting to feel as though you’ve lost all your motivation. People throw the term ‘burnout’ around a lot, but what does it actually mean? According to Reach Out, exhaustion from long-term stress can prevent you from taking part in activities that you find meaningful. You may find it difficult to care and put effort into tasks or to stay motivated. This is burnout. If you’re experiencing

Take a step back from those textbooks, it’s important to give your brain a break! If You’re Studying Contract Law … Dance Get your heart rate pumping by having a little boogie! Create a playlist from all those musical references in your problem question (ABBA anyone?) and start training for Law Ball! From the courtroom to the ballroom, why not brush up on your Latin with some YouTube tutorials? If You’re Studying Tort Law … Try Gardening Watching things grow is a great way to

If you are finding things tough (we all do at times), Notre Dame offers many Support Services both on campus and online. Law School can be challenging, so make the most out of your university experience by utilising the resources available to students. From academic and careers support, to chaplaincy and counselling services, there’s always help available! Academic Support Did you know, that Notre Dame students can book a 30-minute appointment with a Learning Advisors to help

You know you’re a law or business student when checking LinkedIn becomes a part of your morning social media routine. The Notre Dame Sydney Business Society’s Communication Director, Heath Cauchi, shared with me his reasons why you should have a LinkedIn profile (yesterday) and his top tips to help your profile stand out. Crafting Your Personal Brand Similar to your CV, your LinkedIn Profile is a great way to showcase your experience and professional brand. Make sure you uplo

While each interview experience is unique, I think I've finally cracked the code! 1. Personal Information Most interviewers will ease you in with very similar questions: Who are you? Why are you here? The interviewer is essentially asking you to verify the credentials that you have included in your CV or Cover Letter. You should be expecting these types of questions so it is the perfect time to collect yourself and settle in. Interviewers may also ask questions that are speci

You’re casually scrolling on LinkedIn when you see your dream job has just advertised a new vacancy – and you’d be perfect for it! Now what? How do you secure your interview spot, becoming one step closer to making your dream a reality? You’ve already perfected your CV, so all that’s left is nailing that Cover Letter! A Cover Letter is a formal letter that introduces you to a prospective employer, and includes all the relevant information to determine whether you would be sui

Perfecting your Curriculum Vitae (or CV for those who don’t speak Latin) is the first step to getting noticed by potential employers. Think of your CV as a first impression – would it get you an interview? Your CV should be your introduction to a prospective employer and include all the relevant information to determine whether you would be suitable for the job, showcasing your strengths across a variety of areas. Shorter is Sweeter You should try to make your CV as succinct

The Notre Dame Sydney Law Society presents what to do (and what not to do) during your time at Law School. Do get involved in campus culture Make the most out of your university experience by taking a break from your studies to create some great friendships (and memories!). Start by joining a Club or Society (or get some friends together and start your own!) and let the fun begin! The NDSLS has some exciting events and competitions planned for Semester 2 so keep an eye on our

If you know me at all you might be wondering, “why is Alicia writing a blog about time management? I’m pretty sure she pulled another all-nighter last week?”. I asked some other final year law students (who don’t always leave their assignments to the last minute) to share some of the tips and techniques they’ve learnt along the way that have gotten them through Law School so far! 1. EAT THE FROG! Mark Twain once said, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first

Being in my final year, the pressure is definitely on to find work after Law School – but don’t lose hope! In Week 9, the Notre Dame Sydney Law Society is bringing back ‘Careers Week’ for 2021! With presentations from some of Sydney’s top law firms running between April 26 – May 5; Careers Week could be the perfect opportunity for you to jump start your career. It can be pretty daunting attending Careers events in the early stages of your degree, but don’t fret, the NDSLS hav

We are nearly halfway through Semester 1, and the Non-Teaching Week couldn’t have come at a better time! With assessment deadlines rapidly approaching, and exhaustion setting in, it’s the perfect time to get your head back in the game. I have compiled a list of some helpful tips to ensure that you make the most out of your mid-semester break – so that you don’t spend the week just sitting around eating leftover chocolate! 1. Regenerate One of the first things you should be do

Studying is hungry work. It’s VERY important to make sure you’re fuelled up to tackle everything Law School throws at you each day! So… it’s lunchtime and you’re looking for something good to eat. Where’s the best place to satisfy those cravings? Well, what do you feel like? You want something savoury? Bacon & Egg Roll -> La Herradura Burgers -> Ribs & Burgers (Central Park) Fried Chicken -> The Hub House Burger Bar Pizza & Pasta -> The Merchants of Ultimo (Broadway) Greek ->

Make the most of your time at UNDA by joining Clubs and Societies. Joining a Club or Society is a great way to feel part of the Notre Dame community, and connect with likeminded students. If you still need convincing, here are 5 reasons why you should join a Club or Society while studying at Notre Dame. 1. Meet New People Joining a Club or Society is the guaranteed easiest way to meet new people on campus. It is a great opportunity to work and socialise with students in and o

There are some fantastic resources available if you are looking to learn more about the law in practice, and to hear Australian and international legal professionals speak firsthand about their experiences in the law - rather than just watching Harvey Specter. Because it’s 2021, a great way to do this is through podcasts! I have complied a list of 8 essential Australian legal podcasts that are perfect for you to listen to on your way to law school. 1. Gertie’s Law Released by

I had the pleasure of chatting with Ebony Billett to ask her some burning questions about her experiences as a law student and as the President of the NDSLS. Q. What degree are you studying? A Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Journalism). Q. Why did you choose to study at Notre Dame? Notre Dame is a smaller university; the lecturers know you on a name-by-name basis and you’re not just a number. Q. Have you always wanted to study law? No! Back in the day I wante