Three Semesters into Law School

Today marks the official end of the 3rd semester of law school. Well, technically, two days ago, when our last paper was over. In any case, it is the first weekend after our semester is effectively over.

Just a foreword before moving on to the reflections. I have not had time to update the blog — if you have been following — though I do intend to get myself up to speed again. It is my hope that readers will find this blog meaningful (in any way at all), and perhaps gain a glimpse of what part-time law school might be like for the curious. And now, without further ado…

Unemployment

So much has happened between May 2025 and May 2026. First, I left my accounting role at a shipping firm in November 2025. I then joined a team at a law firm for three months, until February 2026. For the two months leading up to exams, I was unemployed. I would consider myself fortunate to have managed just fine despite not drawing a salary, which, if anything, reinforced for me that financial literacy is a practical life skill.

The two months of unemployment led me to feel, for the first time, as though I was doing full-time studies. I was effectively camping at NUS Utown day in, day out, settling down for practically 10 hours at a time.

Volunteering

Beyond the direct school matters, I have begun volunteering at the Telok Blangah Legal Clinic with the recommendation of my learned friend, Daryl. It was a reminder that the community has real needs for legal advice, and setting up a legal clinic is a practical way to give the less fortunate greater access to it, which they would otherwise not pursue due to cost concerns. Kudos to the lawyers who have also volunteered their time.

Affirmation

None of this would have been possible without the people around me. I am deeply grateful to my partner, who has been a constant through the long days, the long nights, and the study grinds at NUS Utown. My partner has been a quiet kind of support that has made many tangible and invaluable differences through the rough days.

I am equally thankful for my learned friends, who have journeyed with me through assignments and discussions. To this end, I hope they will enjoy the much-needed breather from school over the next 3 months. Take a little reset, keep healthy, and stay safe.

What’s next

And now, with the semester behind me, I will be taking a short trip to Taipei this June. A brief retreat before it all begins again. See you next semester my friends.