By Silas Low Eu Jin

Is pursuing a law degree really that hard? Is it hard reading law? 

Short answer is simple: Yes. 

Long answer: Again, yes, but not in the way you think. 

Law isn’t hard because you need to be a genius. It’s hard because it forces you to think in a completely different way than you’re used to. And once you understand that it becomes a lot less intimidating and more captivating! 

A lot of students go into law expecting to memorise tons of statutes, cases and legal definitions and principles, the checklist goes on and on and on… 

Well, good news, memory alone is not the end of it all – it is something more impressive and beautiful! Whilst memory is crucial to ace in law, memory will not be much use if you do not at first understand the law. 

A lecturer once taught us this formula: Read – Understand – Memorise – Analyse 

That’s when it clicks – one way to stand out from the rest and be more impressive is to analyse, and memory is one way to get there! 

Analyse, simply put, means to question what you learn – no, not why you chose to pursue a law degree – but to question in a rational way such as to praise or criticise the subject matter concerned and how it could be different. 

MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION: How can we analyse a particular subject matter to improve the quality of our legal arguments? 

This might be very cliche, but it cannot be said enough that law is a grey area. 

Whilst law is not always black and white and grey matters abound, which can seem confusion to some who prefer certainty – the goal here is to understand the confusion and work your way around and out of it. 

Any argument is valid if it is supported by authorities – it does not mean one can just simply argue without any substance just because there is no right or wrong. Authorities cited could be also either concurring with or differing from your opinion but so long as you show its relevant and connection, you are not losing the plot! 

In conclusion, originality and relevance matters in your arguments – always back them up with authorities! 

MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION: What are examples of authorities which are most welcome to be cited in legal arguments? 

Most law students feel overwhelmed in the first few months. Not because they’re incapable—but because they’re adjusting to a completely new way of learning. This is not unusual. 

However, determination, grit and perseverance always pay off! 

Speaking from a personal experience, no cap here, if you are in your first year, and you still feel lost in preparing for the exams during revision for exams, and nothing is going in your head, or you do not even know where to start, you are not alone! 

Just remember you must start somewhere always, and once you get the first step completed – the rest comes naturally! 

The first step could be mean studying examiner reports and past year questions to understand trends of what can be examinable as useful focusing lens. 

The next step could then be compiling the relevant information into a master list to be memorised and then doing more by injecting analysis. 

Better ones would also know to not constrain their preparation for examination and never be 100% satisfied, and to continue to add more to their input prepared progressively. 

Another useful skill as a colleague once shared is wisdom and discretion in exercising the rule of elimination on how to filter information prepared to be discussed in your answer because it will never be possible to discuss everything. 

Once again, relevance matters – only discuss what is relevant to the question to do better! 

Law is not for everyone, and that is perfectly fine. It tends to suit students who enjoy analysing situations, breaking down complex ideas, and thinking carefully before reaching conclusions.

You do not need to be the smartest person in the room, but you do need patience and curiosity. A willingness to engage with challenging material and think critically is far more important than natural ability.

If you strongly dislike reading or prefer subjects with straightforward answers, law may feel frustrating. However, if you enjoy forming arguments and working through problems, it can be an extremely satisfying field of study.

Law often feels hardest at the beginning. Everything is unfamiliar. The terminology is new, the structure is different, and the expectations are higher than what most students are used to.

As you spend more time with the subject, you begin to adapt. The language becomes clearer, the structure starts to make sense, and your confidence improves. It does not suddenly become easy, but it becomes manageable in a way that feels far more controlled.

The most important thing to understand is that law is challenging, but it is not reserved for a select group of people. It is a discipline that rewards consistent effort, adaptability, and persistence.

If you are willing to put in the work, adjust how you think, and push through the early stages of uncertainty, law is something you can grow into. It is not something to be afraid of.

It is something you learn to handle, step by step.