With a large early talent team, we are lucky enough to have the support of Feldon Dunsmore to develop our learning, be that through the SQE, CILEX or through our apprenticeship programmes. However, as the exam season falls upon us, balancing a full time job and a demanding learning experience is tough on us all.

The Struggles: What Makes It So Hard?

1. Constant Time Pressure

Working as a paralegal is demanding enough on its own—tight deadlines, detailed legal work, and the pressure of client expectation. Now add pursuing a qualification on top of that with exams knocking on the door, there’s little room for downtime which can lead to fatigue and burnout. It often feels like there’s always something overdue—whether it’s reading course material, a urgent email, or post-completion admin tasks.

2. Mental Overload

Juggling academic theory with practical legal work can be mentally exhausting. In the law books, you’re learning detailed legal principles. At work, you’re applying those concepts in real-life scenarios—with real consequences. Switching between the two can lead to brain fog and decision fatigue.

3. Limited Personal Time

Social lives, hobbies, and even sleep often get pushed aside. Missing out on social events, rest, and relaxation can leave you feeling isolated, frustrated, and emotionally drained.

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Practical Strategies to Make It Work

While the struggle is real, there are several strategies that can significantly ease the burden especially during exam season:

1. Plan Relentlessly—but Realistically

I use my calendar to schedule everything: working hours, study time, social time, physical activity and exams dates. Making sure to allow buffer time for commuting or unexpected delays. I tried not to overpack my schedule—prioritising my top tasks and leaving room to breathe.

Try time-blocking your day into chunks, setting specific hours for study and stick to them. Consistency builds momentum and keeps tasks from piling up. I found that setting an hour and a half before work for study worked really effectively especially once I got into the sleep route.

2. Communicate Clearly

I was open with Feldon Dunsmore, letting them know I’m balancing work and study, and giving advance notice when my workload is heavy (like during exams). By allowing my supervisor to have knowledge of my capacity, meant that they were more receptive to not putting too much on my plate.

3. Work Smarter, Not Just Harder

I tried to find ways to integrate my work experience into my studies—and vice versa. As my most recent exam was on Property and Private Client, I was able to use my time to reinforce legal principles I am studying within my role. This overlap helped make both roles feel more cohesive and helped my understanding of the course material.

4. Protect Your Mental Health

Working and studying law can take a toll on your mental well-being. It’s essential to create space to decompress. I kept attending the gym and participating in netball in order to help reset my stress levels.

When I did become overwhelmed with the stress, I reached out to my supervisor and we came up with a management plan in order to gain control over my stress.

5. Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition

It sounds basic, but sleep and food are often the first sacrifices (I for one can confirm sleep did take a hit). However try not to fall into the trap of surviving on caffeine and late nights. Proper rest and nutrition directly affect your concentration, memory, and emotional resilience. I found that running on little sleep and Monsters did not help my retention!

6. Celebrate Small Wins

When you’re stretched thin, it’s easy to focus on what’s left to do rather than what you’ve already accomplished. Celebrate milestones, even the small ones—finishing a chapter, surviving a completion, or receiving positive feedback. Recognising progress keeps motivation alive.

Final Thoughts

Balancing work as a paralegal and studying is a challenging journey, but it’s also a testament to ambition and dedication. I for one would like to say a big good luck to all the early talent team members who are currently sitting exams. You are going to smash it!