Written by: Laura Ashwin
When I first started law school, I often felt like I had been dropped into a world where everyone else already knew the rules. Some of my classmates seemed to speak a language I didn’t understand, casually talking about networking or career paths that I’d never even heard of before. I didn’t come into law with family connections or a readymade network, so for me, everything was new.
That lack of familiarity sometimes made me feel like I was already behind. I would sit in lectures wondering if everyone else knew something I didn’t, or whether I was missing out on opportunities simply because I didn’t know where to look. Being the first in my family to study law meant I didn’t have anyone at home to explain what the profession was really like or to guide me through the unspoken expectations of law school.
But what I’ve learned is that starting without a network doesn’t mean you start without a future. Instead, it means building one for yourself. For me, that meant saying yes to things I might not have felt fully ready for, putting my hand up for volunteering, talking to people at events even when it felt intimidating, and applying for roles that I thought might be a stretch.
One of those “yes” moments changed everything. I applied for a legal assistant role at a law firm, not knowing if I had a chance. To my surprise, I got the position. That experience has been one of the most valuable parts of my journey so far, not only because it gave me practical insight into the profession, but also because it reminded me that you don’t need to know everything before you begin. Sometimes you just need to take the opportunity when it comes and learn along the way.
Being first in family has its challenges, but it has also taught me resilience, independence, and the importance of taking chances. I’ve realised that no one ever feels completely ready, and waiting until you do might mean missing out. Whether it’s applying for a job, joining a student association, or reaching out to a mentor, those small steps add up to something bigger.
If I could tell my first-year self anything, it would be this, you don’t need to have it all figured out, and you certainly don’t need a family network in law to succeed. What matters is your willingness to show up, to keep going even when it feels unfamiliar, and to take every opportunity that comes your way. Because often, the opportunities you least expect end up being the ones that shape you the most.