Hi,
I hope you are all well!
I have a situation at hand, and I was hoping that I could get some advice for my current situation. I have been applying for VS/TCs since my second year at university which was the 2019-2020 application cycle and after many years of painful rejections, I am so thankful I have received a TC offer recently. I applied to this firm’s 2024 intake, however, when I got my offer call Grad Rec informed me that they could only give me a place on the 2025 intake as the places were filled for 2024. I asked the Grad Rec team member if it was possible to keep me under consideration in case anyone wanted to defer their TC so I could take their place for 2024 but I was told this won't happen/ would be highly unlikely.
Whilst I am so incredibly thankful for the offer, I just have a feeling that I am falling behind (I have had such a feeling since my 3rd year at a very competitive Russel Group uni, most of my friends were given TCs at Uni or right after (deservedly so for each of them!) compared to myself who has already spent 2 years following my undergrad being a paralegal and will have to wait another 2 years to even start my TC. I have this fear that I am getting old, and I have not accomplished anything yet. I am nearly 23 now and will be 25 when I begin my TC. I know some people start their TCs at that age or even older, but I think the key difference is that all these people have amazing experiences/accomplishments under their belt. Whereas I feel like I have done nothing with my life other than study and then pursue a TC relentlessly.
So, I still have another year of work ahead of me and then another year doing the SQE. Since I cannot change this situation, I am hoping to take up hobbies and even learn a new language in this ‘gap year’ but the fear of falling behind remains present. How can I shift my mindset?
Hey ＠legally confused,
I am so sorry you are feeling this way, but, as the above responses from other members of the community have reinforced, you have nothing to fear! I have three bits of advice for you
First, I want to congratulate you on achieving that TC - that was the biggest feat and you have done it! Do not let anything diminish that achievement - not age, anyone else’s opinion, nothing. I would be saying the same thing if you were 50 and thinking of a career change.
Second, there were a number of individuals on my LPC you came to the table after 1, 2 or even 3 career changes. Not everyone comes to the table at 18, 19 or 20 years old
knowing that a career in law is for them (in fact, very few people do). People realise their skill set or interests lie elsewhere, which is both natural, normal and understandable. I certainly do not know exactly what I want to do until the day I retire! So, what you will find is substantial fluctuations of age in TC cohorts, because everyone has a different journey. You are all, in reality, at the same stage in your career, regardless of your age. Indeed, age is just a number (as my mother likes to say haha!).
Third, some time off is never
not good for you. I have had to take 6 months off before my TC because every cohort starts in August. Initially, I was wary because I did not know how to pass the time. I am very much a person who loves to be doing something always. As you can see, 5 months later, I have joined the fantastic TCLA team. However, I have also read 10 books, been able to travel, spent time with my boyfriend and my mum and sister, started looking after my mental health by running, spinning and going to the gym. You catch my drift. I have taken the time to set myself up properly for the gruelling hours and hard work of the TC
before I start. I am SO glad I had the 6 months and if I had more time, I would do even more (I had promised to learn a language but alas… books got in the way).
Take some time to look after yourself and realise that everything typically happens for a reason (I am big into manifestation haha). I am telling you you will come back to this forum in a few years after the SQE shouting from the rooftops thanking GR for the time off
.
Do keep in touch and keep us updated on your journey please!
Hope that helps
Laura
