Student Success Story: Sacha Jones

Sacha Jones, now an employment law solicitor at Thrings LLP, prepared for the SQE with BARBRI doing the SQE1 and SQE2 20-week prep course. In this blog, Sacha shares how she succeeded in her path to qualifying as a solicitor.

What Attracted You To A Career in Law? 

I’ve always been interested in the law and knew from a fairly young age that I wanted to become a solicitor. My mum said to me on the day I qualified as a solicitor that she remembers me coming home from school when I was about 11 and saying to her “I’m going to work really hard and become a solicitor” - and that’s what I did! 

Aside from my love of legally blonde, I think the main reason I wanted to pursue a career in law is because I’ve always found the concept of the law exciting and have wanted to explore it. I like the fact that you have to engage your brain and think about how best to approach a situation in terms of it being legally sound, while also considering the practical impacts of the issue/the advice you give.  

What Is Your Background And Route to Qualification? 

I studied law and sociology at University of Warwick and then shortly after graduation, started a role as a paralegal in the commercial property department of a firm in Bristol. Some of my time spent working in the commercial property department was signed off as QWE, and then the remainder of my QWE was spent in the litigation department and corporate & commercial department of the firm I was working for at the time. 

Did You Experience Any Challenges Along The Way to Qualification? 

I worked full time while studying for both SQE1 & SQE2 in order to fund my studies. It was certainly a challenge - it meant that I had to be really strict with my time and that I had to say “no” to a lot of social events throughout that period. I saw it as a means to an end though, and put my all into it. 

I also struggled with lots of self-doubt and a lack of confidence while I was going through the process (something which I’m still working on(!). If I had to go through the process again, I’d make more of an effort to believe in myself and to trust in the process. There were lots of times when I genuinely thought I would fail, but I followed BARBRI’s advice and reaped the benefits. 

How Did You Push Through The Challenge? Did You Have Any Support? 

I am lucky enough to have a very supportive partner and lovely family around me who’ve had my back throughout the whole SQE process (and life generally!). I think it’s so important to make use of your support network and to be kind to yourself while you’re studying - it’s an intense period. 

Which Part Of The BARBRI Course Did You Find Particularly Useful? 

I’ve recommended BARBRI to everyone I know who’s considering which course provider to choose. I initially chose BARBRI because of the course being fully remote, which meant that I could more easily study around my work (particularly given that I had to be in the office everyday in my role). 

I found the courses for both SQE1 & SQE2 to be great. There were lots of practice questions across both courses, and I felt well-prepared when I was going into the exams. I passed both sets of exams first time and scored in the first quintile for SQE2. 

Do You Have Any Advice To Share With Others Embarking On Their SQE Journey? 

I think the key is to stick to your plan, believe you can do it, and to be kind to yourself. It’s easy to become overwhelmed but if you break things down into small steps, take regular breaks and make time for relaxation, things will seem a bit brighter. 

SQE is tough (and it’s supposed to be), so it’s okay to struggle with it. Just keep going with it! 

If you’re considering advancing your career with dual qualifications or preparing for the SQE, don’t hesitate. BARBRI is the partner you need to make your professional development goals a reality.

Interested in reading more Student Stories? Click here: https://www.barbri.com/resources/-/search/lifecycle-stage/solicitor-qualification

And if you want to learn more about the SQE with BARBRI, find out more: https://www.barbri.com/sqe