Training Contracts/Vac Schemes

I had a scan through your old posts and, between the issues you mention in those and your current poor academics, you're chances are currently pretty slim to none for training contracts in commercial law, and fairly low in other practice areas as well.

Is there anything constructive that you can say that would help in my situation that I can take on board as I am aware that prior grades will be a future hurdle when applying for training contracts, I.e, resits, mitigating circumstances and or work experience.

Hey there,I'm sorry the advice you've received so far has been more of an attack than anything helpful or even remotely positive.I'm in the first year of my LLB at the age of 30, due to the health problems and disabilities I've got and the impact they've had on me over the years. I received all Firsts for my first semester and 2/3 Firsts in second. But my 6th module I only scored 48% - I am devastated, but have had a lot going on and new illnesses creeping up - I began having severe seizures in January, up to 40 per day, and have been diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (although it totally feels like a dysfunctional neurological disorder haha!). Anyway, my point is I, too, was only spoken to about deferring my exams AFTER I'd sat them. I had PEC's (Personal Extenuating Circumstances) and late submissions approved for them, but deferral wasn't mentioned to me until a meeting with the student support team and my personal tutor where they decided to inform me I could've deferred my Contract module (the one I got a 3rd for). I mean, would've been nice to know that BEFORE I submitted it, but at least I know going forwards.My advice to you would be to defer all of your studies for a year - take a year out just to focus on yourself and your health, get things under control and to a manageable level before coming back to complete the rest of your studies. Hopefully by then you'll have learned some coping mechanisms to help you better control your illnesses under stress and pressure. Alternatively, you could have a look into going down the Apprenticeship route, or CILEX. I'm led to believe these aren't as draining as you undertake them over a longer period (that's also something else you could do - drop down to part time, or study through the Open University). All of these things are things you could do to mitigate your circumstances and give you a chance to build yourself back better and hopefully smash it out of the park when finals come around! If you took a year out, you could explain this away as a gap year to prospective employers, or tell them the difficulties you were faced with and explain how you'll have developed resilience and determination to come back stronger a year later, more focused and with a better handle on your ill health. Deferrals aren't looked upon negatively to law firms if you can explain the why, when, what happened and how it helped you improve. It's the same with most things, if you can develop strategies to help you do better, you're developing transferrable skills which are highly appreciated in Law. Yes, going off your results etc so far, it's likely that you will struggle to get into the top firms, but that goes for about 95% of people reading Law anyway. Your chances will be better if you take heed of some of the advice offered to you and focus on smaller high street firms once it comes time to focus on your career steps (which, if you decide to continue with your studies, you also need to be really focusing on now, things like getting vacation schemes and mini pupillages etc!). I hope at least some of this helps you and that things get better for you in the not too distant future. I wish you all the best. Above all else, take care of yourself.