Life skills and career tips for Canada's lawyers in training
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/50715
TOP Think you have what it takes to complete a joint degree program? Canadian Lawyer 4Students finds out what's involved from these joint-program medal winners who have taken the time to ponder the following questions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 TIPS FROM THE COMPILED BY HEATHER GARDINER Why did you choose the joint program? How many years did it take to complete the course? How did you juggle school and life demands? What advice would you give law students on how to excel in a joint program? What was your favourite course? What do you do in your spare time? KEN PRICHARD Gerald W. Schwartz Gold Medal, JD/MBA graduate, University of Toronto 1) There were several reasons, but what it really came down to was a desire to learn as much as possible. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after graduating and had an interest in both law and business, so I thought I couldn't go wrong by studying both. I ended up learning more than I had imagined, and each program gave me a diff erent set of tools and a unique way of looking at the world. 2) Four years. 3) The key is recognizing that each program emphasizes diff erent qualities and moves at a diff erent speed. The business school moves faster and demands more constant attention, but is less busy at exam time. The law school is very back-end loaded, with long research papers and 100-per- cent fi nals. Developing a schedule with a mix of the diff erent course types balances the workload. 4) Never miss a class, even if you don't have time to do your reading or prepare for class. Listening to the prof is the most effi cient way to learn, and adds colour to the readings. You'll also learn what the core issues are, which will help you focus your attention when studying. I also think it's important to make sure you integrate yourself fully into both faculties (instead of focusing on one or the other), because you'll learn as much from your classmates as you will from the course work. 5) Competition law, because it blends business, legal, and policy issues. 6) I try to stay active, spend time outdoors, and see friends and family as much as possible. C ANADIAN Lawyer 4STUDENTS F all 2011 13 *