Does anyone have any advice as to how to balance applications with uni? I have submitted 2 VS so far, I am behind a few lectures, and I haven't even started my coursework due next week. I also have another coursework on December and one in early Jan worth 100% of my modules. The prob is that most SVS applications, especially the rolling ones, close that time. I was at first aiming for 15 law firms, but now Idk if I can make 5 apps!
Hey!
I understand how chaotic application season gets, especially when both the deadlines pile up. I would like to share a few practicea that genuinely helped me stay sane amidst the chaos:
For applications:
1. I made a full list of firms, their deadlines, what appealed to me, and whether they were rolling. It helped me narrow my list down to around 15–25 firms and prioritise the important ones first.
2. I handled all the long answer questions together. I logged into every portal at once, pulled out the long-answer questions, and put them all into Obsidian (notion like platform) so I could draft offline. Then I grouped similar questions and slowly built pointers for each over 2-4 weeks, usually on my phone on the Tube or while eating, just like chatting. By the end, I had a strong content bank that only needed tailoring for each firm. I didn't have to think or brainstorm much when applying, as that took the most time for me tbh.
3. I dealt with all the admin sections together too. I grouped applications by platform (AllHires, Vantage, CVMail, SmartRecruiters) and filled in all the basic, repetitive info across multiple tabs at once. On days when I didn’t feel like writing answers, I used that time to complete these sections so they weren’t a chore later.
Doing everything in small, manageable pieces made the whole process so much easier. And because I spaced it out, it never clashed with my academic work.
Academics:
I broke big tasks into simple steps too... one day to brainstorm, one day to plan the structure, another to draft one section, another to refine it, and so on.
Distinctions mattered to me, so I didn’t let application stress take over. I even skipped a few applications when they clashed with my immediate priority (that crucial 70+).
Whenever I felt torn, I asked myself one simple question:
“
What will I regret more in five years, missing an application or missing a distinction because I didn’t focus enough?”
For me, the answer was always the latter. That question helped me decide what to prioritise, and it's a useful trick whenever you’re conflicted. I hope that helps you to prioritise what matters to you.
Wishing you the best ♥️
