Arne Michels is a fifth-year student of Law. The degree he is pursuing is the state examination/diploma.
What made you choose this degree programme?
Prior to this, I studied mechanical engineering and electrical & information engineering at the Technical University Dortmund, but I soon realised that my interest in those disciplines was not deep enough. Seeing as I used to spend many free periods in the sixth form attending criminal and civil cases in the local and district courts, I thought that this field would interest me more in both academic and professional terms.
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
Due to the reputation law has as a demanding discipline, my expectations on myself were very low. Therefore, I can say that I have more than exceeded the expectations I had on myself. My expectations on the workload, however, were (in the basic course) much higher so that my expectations in this regard have not been met. The standards change drastically once the main degree programme commences and you enter the pre-exam phase.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
What I enjoy best is opening the newspaper, reading a news item in the politics or business section and thinking: “Cool, we discussed a similar case in a lecture/work group only the other day!” Law is a very application-focused, accessible degree programme so that exams (especially those in constitutional law) often feature issues that were discussed in the press some time in the course of the previous months. Plus, it is easy to talk about the topics discussed in the lectures with your fellow students, because you can find a concrete example to illustrate any abstract issue.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
(Self) organisation. Finding my way through the university regulations and state examination regulations and organising the best-possible overall schedule. In addition, I’m currently preparing for my final exams. This is an even greater challenge.
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
I think I would like to work as a public prosecutor or as a lawyer specialised in criminal law.
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
Ask your departmental student committee for study aids (e.g. old exam papers), take advantage of the auxiliary courses (additional classes and written exam courses, exam training work groups), study in the library rather than at home and try to set up a flow chart for the degree programme as soon as possible. The degree programme is a full-time job and has to be perceived as such. Make friends among your fellow students and join forces with them in work groups. If there’s anything you didn’t understand – ask! Tutors and professors are happy about feedback, how else are they to know whether they have managed to successfully communicate the subject matter?
