Life of a postgraduate Law student: part 2

As promised, it's the end of term two and I am back to update everyone. To be honest, I don't want to update anyone. To be honest, things are, or rather, were not going well for me at all. I have never failed so much in my entire life. Most people say I shouldn't be so upset, but how can I not be? It's difficult to accept that I studied for hours and then failed so hopelessly. Also, I noticed that I couldn't even stand the people in my class anymore - especially the undergraduates, not because of their age, but their arrogance and total disregard for their courses. I care so much and I do so badly, while they care so little, yet they at least get a 50%. I also realised that every, single time a lecturer said, "when you become a lawyer" or "when you appear in court", I would shudder and want to run for the hills, because to be honest, I do not want to be a lawyer AT ALL. I don't even want to have a Law degree or work in the legal world. Not a paralegal or a legal secretary. Nothing. It takes some people a few seconds to know that about themselves. It took me five months.

So, as a young adult, I had to learn from my mistakes and take some corageous steps. I wasn't planning on discontinuing this year, but was planning on doing so out next year. Then my uncle suddenly passed away, and I thought life is too short for me to do something I'm not happy with. I spoke to a counsellor and the Law faculty's secretary before making my decision, and by the Monday after my uncle's funeral I made a decision.

I didn't discontinue the entire year, but merely the second year subjects - I am now basically first year LLB (meaning I'll still have the option of returning next year, if I change my mind). I am fortunate that I already have a degree, so I can do any postgrad within my previous field of study or postgrad diplomas that will add to my existing qualification. I have already applied for a postgraduate diploma in Marketing (classes are 4 times a week, 17:00-19:00), and I am still planning on applying for a postgraduate certificate in Education (to teach high school) and possibly Journalism. Possibly. It's really not the be-all-and-end all because I have a few plans up my sleeve in that regard.

And at this point I really don't care if anyone is disappointed or appalled at my decision, because at the end of the day, it's my decision. I had to choose - my health and well-being or being stuck in a career where I will probably never be happy. And no, this year is not a waste, becoming more educated is never a waste. I have grown and learned so much.

I will continue with this series, because I am still a postgraduate Law student, and at the end of the series my decision and plans will be much clearer. For me and for everyone else.

Lastly, I want salute anyone who has done, or is still doing an LLB degree. You are brave people. Admirable people.

Lisa-Marie

My take on "Give it 100"

There is this initiative called Give it 100, where you are challenged to do something for 100 days and make 10 second videos of each day. You can pretty much do anything, some people do exercise and weight loss challenges, while others do simple things like telling their spouse that they love them or learning how to be a mom.

So I decided to do a challenge based on fitness and toning. I lost two dress sizes last year, in other words, a helluva lot of centimetres and I just never bothered toning up afterwards. When I came across Give it 100, I decided to go ahead and take part. However, I am not someone who enjoys being part of videos or talking for cameras. I prefer writing my thoughts and feelings down. And capturing the changes through pictures. So I am going to use my blog to track my 100 days.

I started this morning and couldn't even get through 20 minutes of Tae-bo. In fact, I still have to finish the 20 minutes before I can go ahead with my day one post.

For more information on Give it 100, visit their website - Give it 100

Hope I'll have a few others joining me, no matter what your challenge might be.

Lisa-Marie