Advice for Working and Studying at the same time

Guest writer and ILFM Member and Award Winner, Jess Davis ILFM(Dip)

Walking across the stage for my university graduation, and receiving my Bachelors with Honours degree in psychology in October 2021, I would never have expected that only a few months later in January 2022, I would be embarking on the Diploma level of the ILFM.

It was a massive career change; however, I must acknowledge that the skills I honed during my COVID degree hugely contributed to my ability to tackle my ILFM Diploma course whilst working 9-5, Monday to Friday. 

Advice for working and studying without burning out

One such skill is self-discipline, an ability that I have had to work extremely hard on over the past couple of years. Here is the why and how:

Firstly, as a university student over the last few years I had to dig deep with my inner drive.

I was striving to complete my degree whilst battling through national lockdowns, unable to attend lectures, seminars, or study sessions with peers and tutors. It wasn’t easy, and the need to plan my studying properly, as well as attend online lectures, was paramount to being able to graduate.

Secondly, as an employee working a full week whilst studying with the ILFM.

To make matters even more difficult for myself, I did both modules of the Diploma Level simultaneously (against the recommendations of both Tutors and Staff alike)!

I do not regret doing both Diploma Modules at the same time however I do not recommend it. It was not easy, I was tired, stressed, and at points I just wanted to enjoy an evening to myself to do something other than working or study.  

I learnt quickly that I could have it all however, as long as I created a study plan that suited me and what I wanted and needed. I stuck to it. 

Work and study stress support

I, of course, could not have done the ILFM Diploma certificate without the support of my partner and colleagues, who were persistently encouraging and supportive during the year that I studied for my Diploma Exams.

Still now, as I work through the first module on the ILFM’s Associate Level, they are lenient with me, incredibly supportive and keep me motivated.

The Law Firm that I work for is incredibly helpful and understanding. Throughout the whole year, I knew I was able to go to any of my team, including my managers, for help. Whether that was on the actual course material, or if it was just to ask for a break from everything for a short while.

I also have to thank my tutor at the ILFM Sarah (as well as all other staff members I have had contact with), who never left my emails too long before answering and never made it seem like I couldn’t ask for help.

Adjusting to work and study life

Being able to tackle the ILFM Diploma was difficult, and the only reason I was able to excel with these double studies and full-time working was to balance and adjust.

The adjustments had to be made to different aspects of both my personal and professional life. It 100% paid off though!  I completed my diploma course in December with a 96% in my Double Entry Bookkeeping exam, and an 88% in my Accounts Rules Exam, a result which led me to London in February to the ILFM Annual Awards Lunch, which still now, more than a month later, I cannot quite believe I had the honour and privilege to attend. 

Here I am, with Mr Paul Philip, Chief Executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) at the ILFM Annual Awards Lunch which was held at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, London.

University or work…or both!

It’s probably obvious from this article that I am keen to study and work hard to do well. My vision was to continue at university to undertake a Master’s degree, now I had my Bachelor’s degree under my belt.

Where did my plans change?

I started off in my current firm as an office administrator. Just a job for the summer bridging the gap between finishing my Bachelor’s degree and starting my Master’s degree.

Those best laid plans changed however, when I realised that the calling for maths and finance (which was innate for me) was very much still there and at the forefront of my mind.

My employers noticed my potential and offered me a place within the finance team within 3 months of working there… and the rest, they say, is history! I jest, of course. It was a lot of hard work, a great deal of new things to learn, and a lot of accounts rules to memorise!

I found my footing quickly though, and only 2 months after starting in the finance department, I was discussing with my team lead, as well as our firm’s finance director, about undertaking accounting qualifications that are specific to legal practices. At this point, my finance director sought opinions from others in the industry and was steered towards the ILFM.  

It seemed to us that the ILFM had everything that other accounting qualifications had, but the addition of extras that would be extremely beneficial to my role in law firm finance team.

It almost seemed too good to be true. But after my own research, and all of the information I had collated, my team leader and I agreed that the ILFM was the next stage in my career and professional development.

I am so pleased that I signed up to the ILFM as a member and a student. Not only are the people who work there incredibly friendly and helpful, the course has been perfect to study alongside my day-to-day career. I enjoyed the diploma level so much that I wasted no time signing up for the first module in the Associate level and have been studying that since the beginning of the year. 

Studying is a very personal and individual thing, I think. I’ve been to lessons in school, lectures in university, and talks provided by my employers. The one definitive thing I have learnt is that no two people study alike. 

I will say that the ILFM is set out perfectly for those who enjoy self-learning – tutors are always available within a short period of time to answer questions and mark assignments. 

My top tips for studying with the ILFM

If others are thinking of studying on the ILFM’s correspondence courses, here are my top tips:

• Do your research to make sure that you have definitely picked the right course for you – do not just settle for the most obvious one;

• Create a study plan that suits you, and all aspects of your life. The ILFM gives you 18 months to complete each module which is plenty of time to study, work and still live your life the way you want to. The course can be done in 12 months, but the ILFM realise most of its students work full time and often parent, therefore they take into consideration summer holidays and Christmas time etc.

• Find the most effective way for you to study. Unlike other qualifications (ones at school for example), these courses do not come with classroom requirements/face to face lectures. It is completely up to you to work out what techniques suit your style of study.
  • you could make notes
  • read the tutorials over and over again
  • record someone reading the tutorial to listen to it etc

There are a plethora of ways to study, you just need to find out what best suits you. 

• Complete all the tutorials, and give yourself at least a month to practise bookkeeping questions before you even think about taking the exam – you may think 3 hours is a lot, but there is a lot to do and practice is going to aid you so much with timings and also just getting each transaction right each and every time. 
   
• And finally, I cannot stress this enough – when it comes to the exams, attend the prep sessions, they are incredibly helpful!

I have huge ambitions for my career, and I fully believe the ILFM was the correct first step to making those ambitions a reality in law and finance. AND…. I would say, for anyone who is hesitating about starting the courses with the ILFM, it is 100% worth it.