I've spoken to a fair few bar students over the last 6 months and the overwhelming response I get is how overwhelmed and exhausted they are. It is an all too familiar feeling for me. The bar course is intense, it's supposed to be, but it is also manageable. So, if you're struggling to manage it all at the moment this post might be a helpful read.
I remember hearing someone say to me that the bar course was 20% skill and 80% organisation and I could not agree more. Whilst you learn a huge amount about advocacy, drafting, litigation etc, the bar course also teaches you how to multi-task, manage your time and prioritise tasks (at least it can do if you put the work in).
This post is targeted at the individuals who are struggling to get everything done in a week and feel as though they have no time for anything else. Im here to show you how it can be done and how you can even find time to relax...
1. Calendar System
The first step to managing your time and becoming more productive is to get organised. I find that the best way to do this is by using an e-calendar system. This can be google calendar, apple calendar or an online app you download. Whatever it is, it is important that it's right for you.
For example, when I was on the bar course I worked on a MacBook Pro and I owned an iPhone so I utilised the apple calendar to keep track of all of my classes and deadlines. The great thing about this system, and the fact that everything is online, was that I could sync everything. I synced my bar course timetable on to my laptop and phone, I could write an appointment on my phone calendar and it would come up on my laptop and so on. Google calendar also allows for synchronisation and is a great alternative!
Within these calendars you can also colour code which I found was a great way to visualise what my week or day looked like. For example, BPTC classes were purple, deadlines were red and personal appointments were blue. Being able to visualise your time like this can also help you to evaluate how much time you have free that week.
If you are a stickler for paper diaries and calendars then that is also okay. I just found that online calendars gave me the flexibility to chop and change things, move my time around and sync everything in to one space.
In order for the rest of the steps to work, it is key that you have this system in place with all the things you have on that week/month. Make sure are proactive in keeping it up to date, as soon as something comes up, even if its provisional, pop it in the calendar.
2. Weekly To-Do List
The next step is to roughly plan out your week. To do this, take your online calendar and set it to week view. Have a look at what you have on for that week and then start to jot down what you need to do to prepare for those appointments/classes. You can do this on a separate notes section on your phone/laptop or you can write it out in a notebook. Again, find that works for you.
Your to-do list does not need to be detailed at this stage.
If you have criminal advocacy Tuesday, you can simply put down - Prep for criminal advocacy. Or if you have a personal progress appointment with your tutor on Friday, you can note down - Email tutor to confirm meeting.
Then once you've gone through your classes/appointments, jot down what else you would like to achieve that week. This could be submitting an application for a mini-pupillage or emailing your CV to your friend for them to look over. Pop it down on the list.
The best time to carry out this exercise is on Sunday night. Then you don't waste time on Monday morning trying to decide what you need to do for the whole week. It only takes 5-10 minutes, but it is a great way to set out your plan for the week and make you feel more in control. It may be a long list at this point and you may sit back and think oh god I don't have enough time. WAIT! Before you get overwhelmed, hear me out and read the next steps. There is method to the madness.
3. Daily To-Do List
So, it's Sunday evening you've got the weekly to-do list done and you're ready to tackle the week ahead. The next thing to do is to plan out what you're going to do each day. This can either be done on Sunday evening too, so that you feel even more organised for the week ahead, or it can be done at the start of each day. I personally prefer to do it at the start of each day as it instantly gives me control over that specific day and puts me in a productive mood.
Now, in the previous step I suggested that your weekly to-do list could be electronic or hand written, well for this step WRITE IT DOWN BY HAND. There are 3 reasons why:
A) Research has proven that if you write out a to-do list on a piece of paper, in a notebook or on a board, you are more likely to complete each task as you've actively set your goals for the day.
B) Hand written to-do lists acts a visual reminder and are more likely to keep you accountable.
C) Hand writing your list comes with the benefit of getting to cross out a task when you've completed it eg. the best feeling in the world!
Some people often find this step to be the hardest. There may be 30 things on your weekly to-do list and you may have no clue where to start. Here are 2 key tips for making an effective, realistic and productive daily to-do list.
3A) Prioritise the tasks - The WHAT
Look at the weekly list and think what needs doing by when? What is urgent? Are there any formal deadlines?
If your criminal litigation class is at 9am Tuesday, then you really need to make sure that you prepare for it on Monday (unless you're using my 1 week ahead method then you can prioritise based on what the next class you need to prepare for is as opposed to when).
3B) Plan your hours for that day - The WHEN
Be realistic with yourself and assess how much time you have available that day to complete some of your tasks. If you have back to back classes from 9am to 5pm, please don't put in a task which will take half the day to complete. Not only is that unrealistic, but it will make you more exhausted and overwhelmed if you put the pressure on yourself to achieve it on that day.
Set a time-limit or rough time for each task. That way you can see whether you can fit it in that day or not. Then when you've decided what to do for the day, plan when you're going to do it. An example:
4. Now get to work!
You've done all of the organisation work, so now the only thing left is to do the actual work. Unfortunately this system won't work unless you are disciplined with yourself and you actually stick to your plan. Of course is it good to be flexible, in case a task takes you less time than expected or more time and spills in to the next day. The overarching tip is:
"You have to do the work to make this work"
IF...you are someone who is great at planning it all out and has all of the right intentions, but doesn't stick to it, try these tips.
4A) Remove distractions
- PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY
- NO PROPERLY AWAY SO YOU CANT SEE IT
- AND TURN IT ON SILENT
- OH AND DISABLE YOUR WHATSAPP FROM YOUR LAPTOP TOO!
You have to be disciplined, I cannot say it enough. Sit at your desk/table with the items you need to complete the task only and just do it.
If you do really struggle to put your phone away or stay off of it, there are a few good apps that can help. One example is Forest.
Here is the description from their website:
This app takes control of your smartphone and decides when it is time for a break. Once you start the app, you need to set a time. Suppose, 20 mins and now you have to set your phone aside for that time. Meanwhile, a digital plant will grow in the app. In case you feel the urge to pick up your phone, you can do that.
But if you open an unauthorised app, Forest sends you vibration and notification to keep your phone down or else your digital plant would die. It’s actually effective because you at most times just need a nudge to keep from opening an app and this app gives you that. And also, who wants to see a plant die?
4B) Take breaks
Please do not feel that if a task is going to take you 3 hours that you have to sit down for 3 hours solidly. Take a break every hour or every 45 minutes. The best type of break is one where you physically remove yourself from the desk/table and do something else. This can be making a cup of tea/coffee, having a snack, sitting outside in the garden.
Little, frequent breaks are a great way to keep yourself going as they improve your productivity, whilst giving you time to breathe. Try not to feel guilty for taking a break as they are not only helpful but necessary for your mental wellbeing.
4C) Reward yourself
Rewards are a great way to focus your find on the task ahead as you know that if you finish X you get Y. This could be, rewarding yourself to a chocolate muffin after you've finished prepping for a class, or watching the next episode of the crime drama you recently started.
Find things that will help to motivate you through the task. Find the carrot to your donkey.
Concluding Note:
Make sure you take time off! Re-set-reboost-re-charge.
Is it an overwhelming course = Yes!
Does it require a lot of hard work and dedication = Yes!
Can you take some time off = HELL YES!
I often took off an entire weekend, yep both Saturday and Sunday, to visit my partner and relax. It wasn't every weekend but it was at least 1 or 2 a month!
It might seems like the bar course is the only thing you can focus on, but try to remember that becoming a barrister is not the only thing in life and it isn't the only thing that matters. Definitely work hard and put in the effort, but remember to think about yourself too and allow yourself time to re-charge.
Thanks for reading,
Monica x