Studying Law? Hacks from Someone Who’s Actually Figured It Out

^{A law degree: where social lives wither, caffeine addictions flourish, and your week’s highlight is when a lecturer almost finishes on time. But what if it didn’t have to feel like an endurance test?}

^{Meet Milkias Gebremichael: a final-year LLB student at Wits, a mooting champion, a former Careers Officer, a Contract Law tutor, a legal writing consultant, and someone who makes the rest of us look like we're just here for the attendance register.}

^{But what truly sets him apart isn’t just his impressive CV—it’s his approach to law school. He’s mastered the art of transforming university life into something more than a relentless cycle of readings and panic-studying. So, I sat down with him to borrow (fine, steal) his wisdom. According to Milkias, here’s how you can make the most of your time at uni:}

University is More Fun When You Actually Do Stuff

^{If your daily routine is just lectures → food → procrastination → panic-studying, it’s time for an upgrade. Milkias swears by extracurriculars, not just for padding the CV, but for keeping things interesting.}

^{Uni is full of hidden gems, but most students don’t realise what’s available. A few underrated opportunities?}

• ^{Starting a new society: If you see a gap, fill it. That’s how the Wits Moot Society and, more recently, SAWLA Society was born.}

• ^{Getting paid to study: Work at the library. if you are there anyway, might as well get paid for it.}

• ^{Networking (even if it’s awkward): Attend career events before you need a job. Future-you will thank you.}

^{Sometimes, the best university experiences aren’t in the curriculum—they’re in the spaces you create for yourself.}

Want to Be a Leader? Start Small

^{Once you start getting involved, you might find yourself wanting to take on more responsibility. But where do you start? According to Milkias, leadership doesn’t begin with big titles, it starts small. Milkias suggests starting with sub-committees—lower commitment, high exposure. It’s like test-driving leadership before signing up for the full chaos.}

^{Better yet, talk to someone already in a leadership position and ask them how they manage it all. (Bonus: You might even get some inside tips on how to get selected.)}

Want Law Firms to Notice You? Be an All-Rounder

^{Leadership experience is great, but law firms are looking for more than just titles and the next top lawyer. What really makes a candidate stand out?}

^{Milkias, having worked closely with recruiters, shares what they actually look for in students. He learnt that firms love students who balance good marks with leadership, teamwork, and something interesting about themselves (besides “I’m really passionate about the law”).}

^{But, if you’re all about the textbooks and cases —own it, but make sure you can explain why. And if you’ve got other interests? Flaunt them. Recruiters appreciate lawyers who can talk about more than just legal precedent, whether it’s debating, event organising, or even something unexpected like running a book club.}

Writing Like Shakespeare Won’t Win You Points—Clarity Will

^{Of course, securing a job isn’t just about who you are, it’s also about how well you communicate. And in law, that starts with your writing.}

^{Here’s a harsh truth: No one wants to read your 2 000-word essay on contract law if it takes 1 500 words to get to the point. Milkias, a Writing Consultant, has seen it all including when students throw in every legal principle they can think of, hoping one will stick.}

^{His tip? Legal writing isn’t about fancy words; it’s about clarity. Be concise, be persuasive, and structure your argument so that even your non-law friend could (almost) understand.}

Moot Might Take You to CPT on a Holiday

^{Milkias’s top tips for mooting?}

• ^{Go in there to have fun: It sounds counterintuitive, but the best way to beat nerves is to actually enjoy the experience.}

• ^{Be conversational, not combative: Your job is to persuade the court, not fight it. Stay calm, confident, and avoid sounding like you’re delivering a monologue.}

• ^{Listen to your opponent: A strong rebuttal can make or break your case, so don’t zone out while the other side is speaking.}

^{And if you do it right? You might just get an all-expenses-paid trip to Cape Town. Milkias competed in this year’s Jessup Competition at UWC, which not only sharpened his advocacy skills but also landed him one of his best highlights. Because if you’re going to spend your holiday arguing, you might as well do it with a great view.}

Burnout Happens—Here’s How to Avoid It

^{At some point, Law will break you. (Fact)}

^{Milkias learned the hard way that the key to survival is knowing when to hit pause. His go-to burnout tips?}

• ^{Take actual breaks (doom-scrolling does not count).}

• ^{Accept that "good enough" is still good—a 70% effort is better than nothing.}

• ^{Use schedules but don’t let them rule your life.}

Final Anecdotes of Wisdom

^{So, what’s the real takeaway from all of this?}  

^{At the end of the day, studying law is what you make of it. You can grind through it in survival mode, or you can take control, get involved, step up, and find ways to make it more than just lectures and exams. Milkias proves that success isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being proactive, adaptable, and willing to grow.}

^{So, challenge yourself. Say yes to opportunities. Build the habits that will serve you beyond university. And most importantly, remember that while this degree may test you, it doesn’t have to break you.}