Student Hassan Ismail took some time out of his day to tell us about what it’s like studying at The University of Law as an online student, what to expect and some top tips for students planning to study remotely.
By Cara Fielder. Published 31 January 2022. Last updated 27 July 2022.
After the events of the past 18 months, I didn’t want to be tied down to any particular city or country. With that in mind, I decided to apply for the Online LPC at The University of Law. This course gives me the freedom to complete my studies anywhere, which opens up the opportunity of working and volunteering abroad while simultaneously finishing my degree.
Given that my course is online, I can easily work around my academic commitments to find time to volunteer. I volunteer around three to four days a week at the Egyptian Food Bank, and I also help out every couple of weeks at a local children’s physiotherapy center. I have not worked this past semester but I am due to start a new position at a financial holding company this coming January.
Following the completion of my degree, I hope to work at a firm specialising in financial services. I’ve taken a particular interest in the field, and I aim to expand my knowledge and experience of how it operates in practice. In the long-term however, I would like to become an environmental lawyer. This is an area of exponentially increasing importance in the lives of all of us, and I feel as though I owe it to myself to at least try and make a difference.
Staying motivated while studying online can be challenging at times. Incorporating a routine, just as it would be at the place of study, can be helpful (for example, designating a time for “breaks” and lunch). Staying active also helps - there are many variations of fidget sticks meant to help stay focused while working.
When it comes to achieving a study/life balance, I find it helpful to compartmentalise my time according to what I’m doing. For example, I apportion a certain period of the day for work, and do the same for exercise, leisure, going out, and so forth. I have followed this approach ever since secondary school, and I firmly believe it to be an extremely useful way of maintaining a balance in my life. Before organising my time in this way, I found that I was easily carried away by a certain task or activity, and as a result, often lost track of time.
My coursework consists of weekly work units which must be completed by the end of the week (Friday noon deadline). These units typically consist of several tasks which I can work through at my own pace. One particular feature of the Elite system which has come to my rescue at countless points throughout the term is the Online Library database; this service is organised, convenient, and provides access to every legal database and literary source you could possibly imagine.
The main tip, in my opinion, would be to wake up early as one would for regular school. Waking up only for class times can be demotivating. Also, including any sort of activity throughout the day, such as jogging, yoga, or even a phone call to a friend, can help one stay motivated and ready to learn from home.
For more information about The University of Law’s Online Community, take a look at our Online Campus page.
