source // thank u, next - Youtube
At the end of every semester, I’m left with this emotional void. All of my energy goes to study, with every podcast, job application and article put on the back burner. There’s a whole lot of catching up to do this summer - unless you're doing summer school, in which case we'll all be praying for you.
Work Experience and Volunteering
If you’re like me, while everyone gallivanted around Europe in between exam blocks, you holed yourself up in a study cavern to catch up on content already assessed in the mid-sem assignment. Mess. The ‘idyllic European summer’ ship may have sailed for the time being, but consider travelling anywhere else. Survive Law’s done some articles on how to travel constructively with an internship or volunteering placement overseas through Projects Abroad, which are definitely worth checking out. Besides the 6 reasons to volunteer at a community legal centre, it's a great way to meet new people over the summer.
True Crime Podcasts and Docos
If you’ve been following the news lately, you will have seen that Chris Dawson, an ex-star footballer and high school teacher, has been arrested and charged for the murder of his wife, Lyn Dawson. The podcast, The Teacher’s Pet, grippingly describes the investigation, from its genesis in 1982 to its resurgence in recent years. Crime podcasts are generally really fascinating because they show how the public furore over a perceived miscarriage of justice can compel a long-cold investigation to be re-opened.
A really compelling documentary I’ve been watching is ABC’s Exposed: The Case of Keli Lane, which, according to the ABC website, explores “the disappearance of baby Tegan Lane and the conviction of her mother Keli Lane of her murder”. For crime across the pond, of course Sarah Koenig’s iconic Serial podcast is not to be missed (BTW: Season 3’s just started)!
Catch Up On Legal News
Many of the judgments we study contain well-established, decades-old precedents: it's easy to forget to keep up with the recent developments in the law and legal industry. Not only would such knowledge serve you well in interviews (and light dinner conversation, to remind everyone that you’re a law student), but it might reinvigorate your interest in the law if you feel like readings, assignments and exam stress have burnt you out. To get started, read about the 7 most memorable cases of 2018, ranging from a ruling that agnosticism can validly justify a refusal to vote and that algorithms are capable of defamatory conduct.
While not a substantive legal development, my favourite moment in legal news dates back to 2005: a catty email exchange between two secretaries at Allens (then Allens Arthur Robinson) over a missing ham sandwich. An accusation of food theft quickly devolved into savage digs at each other’s relationship, dwelling, car and even salary.
Relax
If you’d rather spend the summer decompressing, that’s cool too. Kick your feet up, enjoy some memes on Survive Law’s page and recover before another hectic semester in 2019.
Enjoyed this post? Sign up for the Survive Law weekly newsletter for more.