So today I sat down and actually went through all of my ‘sticky notes’ that I had saved up over the course of my placement ✨

I basically scrunched up each one as I had no use for it and placed it in a glass jar, because….

1; it looked awesome and colourful which is the theme I was going for with my desk and basically my life.

and,

2; I wanted to be able to go through them at the end and be reminded of all the things I’d accomplished.

I find it hard to recognise the good things I’ve done or how much progress I’ve made so this was a perfect way to help me realise that I had actually achieved a lot more then I thought 💫

Boy was it a potluck of tasks! ✨

Here are some of the subject matters I uncovered:

• Appointment reminders for client interviews and notes on things they had to bring in.
• File updates/ things I was waiting for to progress further with the file.
• Information I had to obtain from clients to finish forms/applications.
• Research tasks given by my supervisor (Hello flash backs of the Royal Commission and Parliament TV)
• A lot of stickies I used to keep track of the different exhibits when organising briefs.
• Notes on forms I needed to be checked and signed off by my supervisors.
• Special conditions for leases (yes this was on a sticky note!)
• Expenses and income figures (debt recovery life)
• Access to superannuation/ letters and forms.
• Court room number and building level (just in case I forgot where to meet the solicitors)
• Authorisation forms.
• Updates on SPER applications.
• A random phone number (I have no idea who it belongs to).
• A bunch of figures I had to calculate to get the total value of a client’s goods (for a letter of demand).
• Accommodation options for prisoners on release.
• List of questions to ask a client who’s car was impounded.
• A contact number for a job opportunity.
• List of items that need to be copied for a client.
• Note to reschedule a clients appointment.
• List of lease clauses (all on one sticky!).
• Letter requesting explanation for prison conditions.
• Appointment to take instructions for a will.
• Contact police to request documents.

That just touches on the surface of the tasks and subjects I focused on during my placement. I think the brilliance of it is that I got to learn a lot of different things and was never focused on one area of law 💫

My favourite part of my placement was going to trial on my second last week. Being able to watch seasoned barristers present their case so well was inspiring. The Barrister I was shadowing was for the defence and all I can say is: total advocacy goals!! 💫

This experience reminded me of why I studied Law and why I want to be a part of the legal profession. I hope that one day I get the opportunity to stand up in court, uphold the law and be able to grab the attention of everyone as well as she did 💫

The one thing I’ve taken away from my overall experience and my reflection today is that I have learnt so much and I have also grown so much. At times I was out of my comfort zone and it was scary, but I soldiered through 💫

My experience has built up my confidence and my ability to ask for help and explanations. I have learnt so much from other lawyers who were so kind and generous to show me the ropes and offer support when needed 💫

But most importantly, I’m starting to accept compliments and praise from others. I have always had issues with accepting compliments, and believing them. I am never sure whether what people are saying is true or if they are just trying to be nice 💫

People can say ‘good job’, ‘well done’ or ‘thank you for all your hard work’ and I still feel inadequate. I still feel like I haven’t done enough or my work could be better and I haven’t made a good impression. I know that I am critical of myself, but the opposite with others 💫

On my last day of placement everyone thanked me and said I had really helped them and shown a lot of enthusiasm and dedication. I felt awkward and almost like it wasn’t real, like they were just being nice. It wasn’t until I got a call two days after my placement from the HR manager, offering me a position, that I realised maybe they were telling the truth 💫

Looking back at all that I have done has made me understand that I have made a difference, I have done a lot and I am doing a good job. I was offered a position that was newly created because of my hard work and assistance to a solicitor who really needed it. She had been pushing for help and for me to be the one to help her, as I had been doing throughout my placement 💫

This solicitor wasn’t even part of my team but I noticed how stressed she was and how much workload she had. I took time to do whatever I could to help her because it upset me seeing her like this. I learnt so much from her and got invited to tag along to trial with her as a result 💫

So as much as I can feel like I haven’t done enough, when I look at the evidence it doesn’t reflect this view. I have helped a lot of solicitors with a lot of different things and I know that I do things efficiently. I have been told that I am a task master and I know that I am driven to finish things once I start them. I have been told that I’ve done well so many times and I need to listen and believe what people say to me 💫

I have helped a lot of people by just being there and listening, and offering my help in anyway I can. I know that I am kind, and that I always want to help others. This is who I am and its one of my biggest strengths 💫

So I just want to say, be kind and try to help others out because it can make a massive difference to their lives, their day and their happiness. Helping others can also be a great way to learn new things and develop your social skills, which are just as important 💫

Never underestimate your worth and your abilities, and learn to listen when others tell you how amazing you are because it is the truth. You’re doing great so keep going ✨

Jacqui 💕