Preparing for the SQE is undoubtedly a challenging journey that demands rigorous study, focus, and determination. However, amidst the academic pressure, it's important not to overlook the significance of staying mentally well. Maintaining a healthy mind is crucial for sustaining productivity, managing stress, and ultimately leading to the success of the SQE. Here are five tips from The College of Legal Practice to take care your mental health and well-being while preparing for the SQE: 

1: Inform your family and friends 

Communication is key when it comes to managing the expectations of your loved ones during your SQE preparation. Therefore, as you begin your SQE journey, openly discuss your study commitments, schedule, and the importance of uninterrupted study time with them. It makes a huge difference to help them understand the significance of your goal and the support you need to achieve it.

It may also be helpful to share your goals, challenges and worries with them. This way, they can better understand your entire journey and offer support and encouragement that you need. Some of our students even asked their family and friends to role-play and assist with skills building for SQE2. Ultimately, it helped them gain the confidence for the exams.

While it is important to focus on the SQE preparation, it is essential to prioritise spending quality time with your family and friends to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Take your mind off from SQE by setting aside some dedicated hours in your weekly calendar for social activities so that you can temporarily escape the pressures of the SQE. 

“Make sure to stay motivated and determined as the SQE process can be draining. Alongside your study, give yourself breaks and praise so you can still enjoy life. You’ll get there in the end.” La’Charn, Paralegal, LLM student at the College 

2: Manage your expectations 

Setting realistic expectations is fundamental for reducing stress and preventing burnout. It is very important to understand that preparing for the SQE is a marathon, not a sprint. There is a wealth of knowledge from different practice areas that you will need to learn and practice, and the learning process is not always linear. Even if you’ve completed a law degree recently, you will still find some of the topics and tasks introduced at SQE level complex and unfamiliar. So, try to simplify everything— if you get the basics right, the details will naturally follow.

Don’t become frustrated when you don’t perform well in one mock assessment. Break down your study goals into manageable tasks and timelines, identify the areas you need to work on, celebrate small successes and carry on! 

“SQE is not a course that you can cram. There’s such a breadth of material that you have to work systematically from the beginning.” Kathryn, Programme Leader at the College 

While it is important to aim high, it is equally important to manage your expectations regarding your SQE assessment results. At The College of Legal Practice, we provide an SQE ready review for all students on the likelihood of passing the SQE assessment. Speak with your supervisor about the review, analyse your chance of passing the exam and act accordingly (for example, practice more in a timed manner or give yourself more time to prepare by postponing the assessment). 

3: Balance your study and work 

Many SQE candidates work when preparing for the SQE. Therefore, it is worth creating a realistic study schedule that aligns with your work hours and commitments. Our students found it helpful to speak with their employers, review their timetable with them, and plan their learning into their work week.

“Negotiate with your employer and family to allocate study time. Don’t leave it until the last minute.” Jane, Head of Curriculum at the College 

You should also choose a SQE prep course that is realistic in terms of time commitment. For example, if you are working full time, opt for part-time study to allow yourself enough time to study and disgust the learning material. If you have a high level of work and personal commitments, consider a more extended SQE prep course to ensure effective management of all your commitments. 

“Be kind to yourself. It’s a very taxing, difficult course, so be realistic with your timings and what you can achieve.” Samina, SQE1 student at the College 

4: Seek support when needed 

Don't hesitate to reach out for support when the burden feels overwhelming. Remember, you're not alone on this journey, and there's no shame in asking for help when you need it. 

Take advantage of the support from your supervisors and fellow course mates. Make sure to attend your personal supervision sessions as often as possible to get the best chance of navigating any issues inside and outside of your learning.

“I meet with my students to discuss the personal skills they need in preparation for the SQE. We talk about different strategies for the SQE. We talk about different strategies for how you might manage your stress, anxiety or time, looking at issues that surround the learning to help you safely plan, prepare for and pass the assessments.” Sajida, Supervisor at the College 

It is also essential to recognise that you are not alone in this journey, and other people share your worries and concerns as well. It can be a great morale booster to share resources, exchange study strategies and offer encouragement to one another.

“Peer support like Zoom study groups and WhatsApp chats allow you to chat to other students and discuss progress, questions, and any areas of weakness.” Dan, Supervising Solicitor, LLM student at the College 

Hear from Ben, the College’s LLM student, on how he aced his SQE preparation by utilizing the support from friends, family, supervisors and course mates: