Amid growing concerns over students’ mental health in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, a recent law graduate has shared personal insights into the psychological demands of legal education and the strategies that helped him cope with the intense experience.
Mr Funbi Phillip, a law graduate of Lead City University, Ibadan, shared the insights in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Abuja.
Phillip spoke on the mental strain of studying law and offered practical advice to prospective law students preparing for the rigorous academic environment.
Reflecting on his experience, he identified mental pressure as the most difficult challenge he faced throughout law school.
According to him, the constant need to keep up with heavy coursework, assignments, legal drafting and the memorization of numerous cases was often overwhelming.
“The most challenging part for me was the mental pressure of having to keep up with heavy coursework, assignments, drafting briefs and memorizing cases.
“It is a lot, but with consistency, everything becomes easier,” he said.
On managing academic workload, Phillip stressed the importance of effective time management, explaining that he prioritized tasks based on urgency and course credit weight.
“I prioritize my time based on urgency. I make sure I handle my continuous assessments before thinking about exams.
“I also give more attention to four-unit courses while still attending to two-unit courses. Everything depends on planning,” he explained.
Phillip said a major turning point in his academic journey came when he shifted from rote memorization to a deeper understanding of legal principles.
“Being a law student is not about cramming. It is more about understanding.
“When you understand the principles behind cases, it becomes much easier,” he said.
On essential skills for success in law school, Phillip identified critical thinking, strong writing skills, time management and emotional resilience as key competencies.
He noted that good examination performance required not only knowledge but also the ability to manage time and present answers clearly.
“You must be able to manage your time during exams and express key points clearly in your writing,” he added.
Advising incoming law students, Phillip emphasized the need to prioritize mental health, warning that the pressures of legal education could be overwhelming if not properly managed.
“Take your mental health seriously because law school can be traumatic.
“When you put yourself under too much pressure, you may fall sick or worse. You cannot do everything. Take what you can handle and leave the rest,” he advised.
To manage stress, Phillip said he created balance by taking breaks and spending time with friends.
“I manage stress by taking breaks. I balance work and play, and I know when to work and when to rest. That really helped me,” he said.
The graduate also revealed that he struggled with self-doubt and confidence issues at the beginning of his studies but overcame them through persistence.
“I had self-doubt and kept asking myself if I could actually do it. I was not confident at first, but over time I learned and became more confident,” he said.
Phillip noted that self-care played a vital role in helping him remain grounded during intense academic periods.
According to him, prayer, reflection, short walks, reading and spending time with friends were key coping strategies.
“Prayer comes first. Reflection, short walks, reading and spending time with friends really helped my journey,” he said.
Looking ahead, Phillip expressed his desire to use his legal education to serve society, particularly in the area of human rights advocacy.
“I want to use my legal knowledge to help my community and society at large, with a focus on human rights,” he said.
Phillip’s experience underscores the growing need for structured mental health support systems in law schools and other demanding academic programmes across Nigerian universities, as students continue to face increasing academic and psychological pressures.
