Henry Wiseman is a first-seat trainee with us. In this blog, he shares practical tips for balancing university deadlines with training contract applications. Explaining how a structured approach can help reduce the pressure.
Published: 2 November 2026
Author: Henry Wiseman, Trainee Solicitor
Between lectures, coursework, exams, society commitments and the wider university experience, applying for training contracts can feel overwhelming. Add a part-time job into the mix and finding time for applications is often easier said than done.
I remember feeling as though there was always something demanding my attention. If I was focused on coursework, I was conscious of application deadlines. If I was working on applications, I felt I should be revising or starting an assignment. It felt as though I would never have free time to spend with friends and family.
Looking back, I learned that balancing both is less about finding huge amounts of free time and more about using your time effectively.
Start earlier than you think
One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of starting early.
Before applying, I underestimated how much time a strong application would take. Researching firms, attending insight events, understanding the legal market and preparing tailored answers all require a significant investment of time.
Starting early allowed me to spread the workload across several months rather than several days. Even spending an hour each week researching firms made the application process much more manageable.
Treat applications like a university module
Something that worked particularly well for me was treating applications as another academic commitment.
I planned for deadlines, just as I did for university deadlines. Setting aside dedicated time each week helped me stay consistent and prevented applications from becoming a last-minute rush.
Breaking applications into smaller tasks can also make them feel less daunting. Rather than thinking about completing an entire application, focus on one task at a time, whether that is researching a firm, attending an event or drafting a single answer.
Focus on quality over quantity
It can be tempting to apply to as many firms as possible, particularly when you see others doing the same.
I found it far more effective to focus on firms that genuinely aligned with my interests, values and career goals. Taking the time to understand the firm’s culture, clients and opportunities helps you to submit a more authentic and persuasive application.
A smaller number of well-researched applications will be more effective than a larger number of generic ones.
Use your university experiences
University and training contract applications can feel like entirely separate challenges. In reality, they often complement one another.
Coursework develops research, analytical and written communication skills. Society positions can demonstrate teamwork and leadership. Part-time jobs can provide examples of responsibility, client service and commercial awareness.
When preparing applications, I found that many of my strongest examples came directly from experiences I had gained through university.
Focus on your own journey
Perhaps the most important advice I can give is to focus on your own journey.
During application season, it can seem as though everyone around you is attending assessment centres, securing vacation schemes or receiving offers. It is easy to become discouraged when your own progress does not seem to match theirs.
Every candidate’s path is different. Declines are a normal part of the process and can often provide valuable opportunities to learn and improve. It may sound like a cliché, but many successful trainees faced several declines before securing their training contract.
Final thoughts
Balancing university work and training contract applications is not always easy, but it is achievable. Starting early, staying organised and focusing on quality rather than quantity can make a significant difference.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Securing a training contract is a marathon rather than a sprint. The skills you develop throughout the process, including resilience, organisation and communication, will benefit you long after the application process is over.
Interested in a future career at Shoosmiths?
We are currently redesigning our emerging talent pathways, and expect to relaunch recruitment in autumn 2027.
In the meantime, you can subscribe to our careers updates to hear about future opportunities, events and news from our Emerging Talent team.