A letter to first year me: Mollie

Posted on: 7 December 2023 by Richard Finch in Student experiences

Mollie Kilfoyle is a Class of 2022 Law graduate. Here, Mollie looks back at her time at the University of Liverpool and thinks about what she would tell her first-year self.

Dear First Year Me,

The next three years are going to be a rollercoaster. You are about to embark on one of the biggest adventures of your life, and it is normal to feel anxious about it.

The thought of moving away from home, making new friends, and studying a new subject may feel daunting at the moment, and there will be some bumps in the road, but it will be the most enlightening three years of your life.

This experience is going to show you that you are capable of much more than you think. It will highlight your strengths, weaknesses, and passions in life. The academic knowledge, subject-specific skills, and life skills you are going to develop will help you not only attain a first-class degree but will also be invaluable to you in your future career.

Your final year is going to arrive so much faster than you think. It is the year that you appreciate how much you have learnt over the course of this experience. This is the year that will test you the most as you learn to balance being a part-time legal clerk and a full-time law student.

But the hard work and late nights are truly worth it because, at the end, when you are walking across the stage at your graduation, it will be one of your proudest moments.

So, for the more serious stuff, it is okay not to be absolutely certain of what you want to do with your life right now. Over the course of the next three years, you are going to change your mind multiple times. The important thing to remember is to try new things and accept every opportunity, because that is the only way you are going to learn what you want.

Also, ask as many questions as you can, and remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. I know you are keen to know what we are doing now that we have graduated. Well, you should be so excited because there are so many new challenges and adventures ahead of you. You are currently training to be a solicitor at a specialist firm where you have amazing mentors and incredibly supportive peers.

You are learning something new every day and you are using all the academic, social and life skills you developed at university.

In summary, the two most important things to remember: 1. Say yes to every opportunity you can. 2. Ask as many questions as you can.

Good luck, you’re going to be amazing!

Mollie