Hello everyone,
I would really appreciate some advice regarding my current situation.
Before starting my LLM Law Conversion with SQE1 at BPP, I was working part-time at McDonald’s. I intentionally chose the online, part-time course because I have ADHD, and I knew studying remotely without commuting to London would give me the best chance of succeeding academically while also allowing me to receive Student Finance funding.
During the PGDL stage, I actually did quite well overall, achieving mostly merits and distinctions, with a few passes at the beginning while I was still adjusting to studying law for the first time.
In March, I started working at Octopus Energy. I was initially very happy about this because I believed the role would help strengthen my CV and improve my chances of securing a training contract compared to my previous job at McDonald’s. The higher salary also meant I could contribute more towards household bills and university costs.
However, I underestimated how demanding the role would be alongside the SQE1 preparation course. The workload has become extremely difficult to manage with ADHD, particularly because the SQE content is much heavier than the PGDL. During the PGDL, we focused on two modules at a time, whereas now we are covering four modules simultaneously. I have fallen behind significantly, and I’m struggling to dedicate enough time to law despite genuinely enjoying it.
Financially, I also cannot realistically leave my current job, especially given the current job market.
Because of this, I’ve started considering whether it may be wiser to exit the LLM now and receive the PGDL qualification instead (assuming BPP awards it separately once completed, which I still need to confirm officially).
Part of my reasoning is that I feel a strong PGDL result (high merit/low distinction range) may ultimately look better than completing the full LLM with a pass overall, or potentially struggling further academically.
I’m also thinking that, if I leave the LLM, I could redirect my time and energy towards building my legal CV in other ways — for example researching firms, applying for vacation schemes and training contracts, networking, and gaining more legal work experience.
Has anyone been in a similar position, or does anyone have advice on whether this would be a sensible decision career-wise?
I’ll also be speaking to BPP and careers advisers, but I would genuinely appreciate any insight from others who may have experience with this path.
Thank you so much in advance.
I would really appreciate some advice regarding my current situation.
Before starting my LLM Law Conversion with SQE1 at BPP, I was working part-time at McDonald’s. I intentionally chose the online, part-time course because I have ADHD, and I knew studying remotely without commuting to London would give me the best chance of succeeding academically while also allowing me to receive Student Finance funding.
During the PGDL stage, I actually did quite well overall, achieving mostly merits and distinctions, with a few passes at the beginning while I was still adjusting to studying law for the first time.
In March, I started working at Octopus Energy. I was initially very happy about this because I believed the role would help strengthen my CV and improve my chances of securing a training contract compared to my previous job at McDonald’s. The higher salary also meant I could contribute more towards household bills and university costs.
However, I underestimated how demanding the role would be alongside the SQE1 preparation course. The workload has become extremely difficult to manage with ADHD, particularly because the SQE content is much heavier than the PGDL. During the PGDL, we focused on two modules at a time, whereas now we are covering four modules simultaneously. I have fallen behind significantly, and I’m struggling to dedicate enough time to law despite genuinely enjoying it.
Financially, I also cannot realistically leave my current job, especially given the current job market.
Because of this, I’ve started considering whether it may be wiser to exit the LLM now and receive the PGDL qualification instead (assuming BPP awards it separately once completed, which I still need to confirm officially).
Part of my reasoning is that I feel a strong PGDL result (high merit/low distinction range) may ultimately look better than completing the full LLM with a pass overall, or potentially struggling further academically.
I’m also thinking that, if I leave the LLM, I could redirect my time and energy towards building my legal CV in other ways — for example researching firms, applying for vacation schemes and training contracts, networking, and gaining more legal work experience.
Has anyone been in a similar position, or does anyone have advice on whether this would be a sensible decision career-wise?
I’ll also be speaking to BPP and careers advisers, but I would genuinely appreciate any insight from others who may have experience with this path.
Thank you so much in advance.
