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I am a graduate solicitor apprentice, meaning I complete my SQE exams alongside my qualifying work experience. I work four days a week and have one dedicated study day. My first set of exams is in July 2026, so I am currently in the final stretch of preparation.
Balancing study and work
I have found that it can be difficult to balance study and work, as they are often competing interests. On the one hand, an urgent task may come up and require me to work late; on the other, I may have planned to spend that time revising. At times, this simply cannot be avoided, no matter how clear my boundaries are, and a degree of flexibility is therefore required in my revision plan.
It is nevertheless vital that I set clear boundaries during my study day to ensure that work does not creep into my specifically allocated study time. My main goal on a study day is to resist the urge to check emails or Teams messages. I make sure my out‑of‑office is switched on so there is no assumption that I am working that day. My study day is sacred time, and it is the one day where work should have no flexibility to leak in.
I have also learned that maximising productivity at work and during study time is key. Being productive during the working day makes it far more likely that I will have time and energy to revise in the evenings. Productivity at work looks different for everyone, but for me it often involves sitting in a quieter area, away from people I know will distract me. Maximising productivity on my study day is equally important. I do not assume that my revision will naturally spread across the week; I view any revision done in the evenings or during the week as extra (but still important).
I also think it is important to fit revision in wherever I reasonably can. Depending on your team and firm, there may be opportunities to do some revision during quieter periods at work, and I always try to take advantage of that when possible. Otherwise, revision can often be slotted into commutes or quieter lunch breaks.
Managing stress and burnout
I have had to accept that pushing on with revision when I am already overly stressed or burnt-out is often a fruitless exercise. There comes a point when continuing to study is simply not productive, regardless of the time spent. Recognising that point has been essential for sustaining revision over a long period.
For me, managing stress means being intentional about taking time for myself and doing things I genuinely enjoy; these periods of rest are not wasted time, they are what allow me to return to revision feeling focused, and motivated. Similarly, if I have had a particularly busy day at work or have worked late, I do not force myself to revise in the evening just for the sake of it.
I also try to protect at least one day at the weekend to do whatever I want, with no expectations attached. Having this separation helps prevent revision from creeping into every part of my life and significantly reduces the risk of burnout.
Another important lesson is that annual leave does not have to be saved for holidays or big plans. If everything begins to feel overwhelming, taking a day off to reset can be incredibly valuable. A day away from both work and study can make a noticeable difference to stress levels and overall productivity.
Finally, I have learned that the basics really do matter. Making sure I am sleeping properly, eating well, and getting some form of exercise is essential. I am simply not going to revise effectively if I am exhausted, under‑fuelled, or constantly stressed. Looking after myself is not separate from studying; it is part of being able to do it well.
My revision plan
Having a clear revision plan helps me keep my workload manageable and prevents revision from becoming overwhelming. I work from a weekly timetable so I always know what I should be focusing on and can balance revision alongside work more effectively.
Early in my revision, I prioritise my weaker subjects based on test scores, as this is where the extra time makes the biggest difference. As the exam approaches, my focus shifts towards general consolidation and bringing topics together across modules.
In the final week before the exam, I plan to take a more pragmatic approach. There will always be one or two topics that simply do not click, and if a topic is only likely to come up in a handful of questions, I plan to avoid spending a disproportionate amount of time trying to understand it. I use this approach sparingly, as too many gaps would be counter‑productive, but it will help ensure that revision time is spent where it is most effective.