Remember Why You Started the SQE Journey

About two weeks before my SQE1 exam, I noticed that my mind was constantly having an internal debate.

One voice would say, “I’m exhausted. I’m tired of doing MCQ after MCQ. I don’t want to read another long scenario. Maybe I should just stop.”

Then another voice would answer, “Keep going. This is the road to becoming an English solicitor. You’ve already come so far.”

I suspect many candidates experience the same conflict. By that stage, the problem is often no longer a lack of knowledge. It is mental fatigue. Your brain has been processing thousands of legal rules and MCQs for months. Feeling tired does not mean you are not making progress.

When I found myself struggling, I asked a simple question:

Why do I want to become an English solicitor?

My answer surprised me.

Of course, obtaining the qualification was important. But there was another reason that mattered even more to me. I wanted to prove to myself that, even in middle age, I was still capable of mastering one of the most demanding professional examinations. I wanted to push my own limits and discover what I could achieve through discipline and perseverance.

Once I remembered that reason, the daily MCQ practice no longer felt like meaningless repetition. Every difficult question became another small step towards a goal that was much bigger than passing an exam.

If you are feeling exhausted in these final weeks, remind yourself why you started this journey. Your reason may be different from mine. Perhaps it is to change careers, create better opportunities for your family, or fulfil a lifelong ambition.

Whatever your reason is, keep it in sight. During the hardest moments, your “why” is often stronger than your temporary feelings.

The exam lasts only a few days. The qualification stays with you for the rest of your career.