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Acknowledgment of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the DLSS is founded, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We recognise their continued connection to the land and waters. We pay our respects to Wurundjeri Elders past andpresent and extend this respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Elders and people from othercommunities.
Welcome to the Deakin Law Students’ Society’s 2026 Skills Guide. My name is Sami Pauliuk,andIamproudtobethePresidentoftheDeakinLawStudents’Societythisyear
AsIentermyfifthandfinalyearofaBachelorofLaws/Arts,Ireflectonajourneythathas been anything but easy. Like many students, I have experienced every stage of law schooluncertainty-strugglingtounderstandAGLC4,over-editingcoverlettersinfearof gettingthem“wrong,”balancingworkandstudy,andlearning,oftenthehardway,how to take care of myself while still striving to succeed. As the first person in my family to attend university, and the first to study law, navigating this path has been a significant challenge.Throughoutitall,theDLSShasbeenaconstantsourceofsupport,helpingme build the skills, confidence, and resilience that have shaped my law school experience. ThisGuideisonewaywehopetoofferthatsamesupporttoyou
Whether you are just beginning your law degree or approaching its final stages, law schoolcanfeelbothexcitingandoverwhelming.Itchallengesyoutothinkcritically,write precisely, manage heavy workloads, and engage with complex ideas - all while discoveringthekindoflegalprofessionalyouwanttobecome ThisSkillsGuidehasbeen designedtosupportyouthrougheachstageofthatjourney.
The Deakin Law Students’ Society exists to represent, support, and empower Deakin law students throughout their time at university. As a student-run organisation, we are committedtofosteringaninclusive,supportive,andacademicallyenrichingcommunity Ourroleextendsbeyondadvocacyandevents;weaimtoensurestudentsareequipped withthetools,knowledge,andconfidenceneededtosucceedatlawschoolandbeyond.
Lawschoolisaboutmorethanmemorisingcasesandlegislation.Successalsodepends on developing foundational skills: legal research, problem-solving, written and oral communication, time management, and, most importantly, resilience. These skills are notalwaysintuitive,andmanystudentsarelefttolearnthemthroughtrialanderror.This Guide exists to bridge that gap, offering practical advice, clear guidance, and studentfocusedstrategiestohelpyoufeelmoreconfidentandsupportedinyourstudies.
Designedwithyouinmind,thispublicationbringstogetherpracticaltoolsandinsightsto help you navigate law school with confidence. From legal writing and assessments, to studystrategies,mooting,interviews,andinternships,theSkillsGuideisintendedtobea resourceyoucanreturntowheneveryouneedguidance,reassurance,ordirection.
Importantly, this Guide recognises that every student’s law school journey is different. Many students balance study with work, family responsibilities, or other commitments. OthersmaybethefirstintheirfamilytoattenduniversityortostudyinAustralia,ormay be adjusting to a new academic environment. The DLSS is proud to support a diverse student community, and this publication reflects our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity,andpracticalsupport.Thereisnosingle“right”waytosucceedinlawschool, andthisGuideisheretohelpyoufindwhatworksforyou.
As President of the DLSS, I am continually inspired by the passion, resilience, and ambition of our student community Developing strong skills early in your degree not onlysupportsacademicsuccess,butalsoempowersyoutopursueyourbroadergoals, whether in advocacy, social justice, commercial practice, policy, or community service The skills you build now will shape how you think, communicate, and contribute long aftergraduation.
IencourageyoutoengagewiththisGuideopenlyandrevisititasyourstudiesprogress. Remember that seeking support is a strength, not a weakness The DLSS is here to support you through initiatives like this publication, alongside our events, competitions, wellbeingprograms,andadvocacyefforts.WearecommittedtoensuringeveryDeakin lawstudentfeelsinformed,supported,andcapableofreachingtheirfullpotential
IwouldliketoacknowledgetheDLSSCommunicationsteam,ledbyDiyaMatthewsand supported by her officers, for their dedication and hard work in bringing this Guide together. I hope it becomes a trusted companion throughout your law school journey andbeyond
Iwishthey’daskaboutusingGoogleorGenerative AIforresearch.AlwaysstartwithourDeakinLibrary subscriptiondatabasesforyourlegalresearch Only turntoGooglewhenyouarelookingforknown governmentlegalinformationwebsites.Google ScholarisnotcomprehensiveenoughforAustralian lawjournalarticles.IdonotrecommendGenerative AItools(suchasChatGPT/Gemini/Claude/Copilot) forundertakinglegalresearch.Askmewhyanytime.
The Deakin Library is home to a plentitude of resources that can help you in your studies. The best place to start is almost always the Deakin Library Resource Guides. Theseguidesaretoolstailoredtosupportyouthroughyourstudyandassignmentsin yourlawunit,preparinglawstudentsfortaskssuchasusinglegalabbreviations,legal researching, and legal referencing Included are links to some of the many guides at yourdisposalaccompaniedbyanoverviewofwheneachcouldbeuseful.
Note-taking is a necessary skill for law students and graduates. There is no set structure for note-taking as long as it works for you Making study notes is a process completedovertime,donotleaveittothelastminuteascreatingnotesfromthefirst week of study will help you consolidate your knowledge. Ensure you regularly review yournotesandthatitisinyourownwords.
