Juggling your commitments: An interview with Mia Siddique
Mia Siddique is a force of nature. I have been a long time fan of her Instagram page and love her thoughtful practical content for law students. She is a strong advocate for social mobility and volunteers her time as a mentor. Mia has a bright future ahead of her and I know she will do great things in this world.
1. Why did you decide to study law?
When I was in year 6 my teacher said to me "You would make a great lawyer. I can just see it in you". And as cliché as it sounds, I believe that is what first sparked my interest into the legal industry! I absolutely love how the law is always changing and adapting and how no two days would be the same in practice. I am an avid encourager and supporter of social mobility being more incorporated into the legal profession and hope that I can raise more awareness of this when I do get into practice.
2. How did you juggle the never-ending law school reading lists with your outside commitments, such as your Instagram page?
Organisation and time management are definitely key factors when it comes to successfully keeping on top of work and commitments. I tried to stay as organised as I could during my student days by making timetables listing my commitments and plans, as well as keeping my university work as organised as possible through colour coding, tabbing, highlighting and separating out subjects into separate folders and files. By staying organised with my time as well as my work, this enabled me to complete any set work quicker and in turn allowed me time for things such as meeting up with friends, running my legal Instagram page and going to the gym.
3. What are your top 3 pieces of advice for a first-year law student who is terrified of starting law school?
My best 3 pieces of advice would be keep your goals in mind and remember why you started, stay very organised and don’t be overwhelmed by the workload. If you really are passionate about having a career in law, or gaining a degree in law, then every step you make is a step towards achieving your end goal. Remember, you are more capable than you realise, even getting into law school is a huge achievement!
4. What books would you recommend to a first-year law student to enhance their knowledge?
Some of the books I have read are The Secret Barrister, which offers a really good insight into the current criminal justice system, Letters to a Law Student by Nicholas J McBride, which really will help students prepare for their first-year, Successful Solicitor by Katherine Cousins, for some top-tips in how to stand out in the legal profession, and finally Winning Arguments by Jay Heinrichs to show you how to win some arguments! A key skill you will one day need to make a great lawyer.
5. What excites you the most about a career in law?
I absolutely love a challenge so am really looking forward to getting thrown into some cases and given some tasks that require me to think and act fast. I also love customer interaction so am probably most excited about building rapport with clients and solving their complex legal issues, which I imagine will be very rewarding.