Fiza was inspired from a young age to pursue a career in law after witnessing the justice system first-hand, empowered by the idea of giving a voice to those in need of legal aid. With ambitions of becoming a qualified barrister, Fiza opted to study the LLB online and balance this alongside gaining legal work experience and running a social media account centred around uplifting aspiring lawyers.
We spoke with Fiza, who has been named one of the Top 10 Undergraduates of the Year Finalists in the category of Excellence through Adversity, an award sponsored by Rolls Royce, to discover more about her ambitions and how studying online at The University of Law is helping her to achieve them.
By Elena Carruthers. Published 21 July 2022. Last updated 11 January 2023.
I first knew that I wanted to become a barrister when I saw lawyers fighting in court for justice for my family. The idea of standing in front of the judges and representing clients was empowering to me. This only strengthened when I put myself forward as a barrister prosecuting in a mock trial competition at my secondary institution, which I won, further solidifying my dream of becoming a barrister.
The reason I decided to study online was because of the shift to flexible learning that occurred during the pandemic. I had a lot of time to elevate my skills in several ways while also studying and conducting my other responsibilities which kept me motivated and productive.
While learning to work more flexibly online, I developed myself as a professional candidate through securing virtual work experience, attending insight days with Magic Circle law firms, and having the opportunity to discuss Women’s Economic Empowerment on a United Nations panel. With this motivation, I knew from my growth during the pandemic that I would love to do my degree online and luckily came across The University of Law’s Online Campus. During my online journey, I have connected and networked with many people across the world and enjoy spending time with my family more as well.
The thing I enjoy most about my course is how extensive the subject is. There is always more to learn, different strands of the law and how it embodies our legal system. This gives you the opportunity to take your learning to the next level while conducting your own reading and external research with all the resources the university provides. Studying my degree online has allowed me to be flexible with how I want to work and when, go back to any recorded lecture at any time, and have direct tutor support when needed.
There are many resources available to help you throughout your online learning. I recommend the Employability opportunities. We receive a detailed and informative employability newsletter every week which allows students to take advantage of various opportunities to upscale their learning and personal development.
Many academic resources are available from Westlaw to LexisNexis and the Online Library. We also have Welfare Support Services which are there whenever you may need it. The external resources the university provides are incredible and all there for students to take advantage of.
Through my legal page on social media, I have been able to connect with several students on campus and online which has been incredible. As part of the online campus, we stay connected through creating group chats, social media, and engaging in live sessions in various modules. The University of Law has several societies and events which are perfect to stay connected and engaged during your time studying.
I think the best way to stay focused during online classes is to remove any distractions. Additionally, I have a timetable where I write down everything that needs to get done during the day or week and narrow down the top three things that I need to get done on that specific day, implementing regular breaks.
I think to get the most out of your online degree, it’s important to participate and be proactive during classes – it’s a great opportunity to make the most of your learning and engage with your classmates. The group bounces off each other’s ideas and we ask each other thought-provoking questions which helps to further our learning.
In addition to beginning my online studies this year, I have earned the title of one of the Top 10 Undergraduates of the Year Finalists in the category of Excellence through Adversity, an award sponsored by Rolls Royce. I have recently also secured an internship at Rolls Royce which I am starting in June this year in the business and enterprise department. I am also a content creator and marketing manager; I have a legal page @LawFizStyle where I document my journey to becoming a barrister.
When I finish my studies, I hope to work in either property or commercial law. Law is a comprehensive subject; therefore, I can apply the skills I have acquired to other industries such as business, finance or marketing. Studying law allows you to gain transferable skills needed to excel in many different industries.
I took a leap of faith and decided to take my learning completely online. Was it a risk? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. You will be able to excel in several ways and gain incredible lifelong skills such as communication, time management and flexibility.
Find out how you can learn your way via a range of online courses on offer at The University of Law.
