Dayna Myers

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am Canadian/British, mixed raced (black-Caribbean and white) student hailing from Toronto, Canada. I hold a degree in Sociology with a concentration in social policy, politics & criminology and minor in Psychology from Bishop’s University and am currently in the 2-year LLB programme here at the University of Leeds

What motivated you to apply for your course at Leeds?

I’ve always wanted to live and work in the UK ever since I was young. I have dual citizenship for the UK and Canada, as my dad is from England, and that made the decision to attend school in the UK even easier. I chose to apply to Leeds and to my course because I had heard from alumni as well as family members that the University of Leeds was a great school and that 2-year LLB programme was fantastic for students who already have a degree in another subject. On top of all of this, I wanted to attend a university with a good sense of community but was also large enough to have connections throughout the world.

What is it that makes you passionate about your area of study?

Ever since I was able to talk it seems as if I have been told ‘you should be a lawyer’. Whether it was coming from the mouth of my parents after an argument at the dinner table or a teacher after a class discussion or submission of an essay, the sentence ‘you should be a lawyer’ has come up. Growing up, I didn’t agree with the statement but as I’ve matured and figured out who I am as a person, I’ve come to agree. I am passionate about studying the Law because my personality and the way I approach things (whether academic or otherwise) fits with being a lawyer. Additionally, I am passionate about becoming a lawyer because I want to be able to help people; this is an incredibly cliché thing to say but it’s completely true. Becoming a lawyer is a difficult process but it is well worth it as it gives you the power to fix things, what those ‘things’ are depends on what you are advocating for but either way it is an important power to hold and those who want to attain it have to be passionate about it.

What do you think of your course so far?

I really enjoy the seminars for all the modules I am taking. The prep work for each seminar has helped me tremendously in grasping topics discussed in class and for examination preparation. Additionally, they are a good way to get to know other students in my modules as our class sizes are quite large and seminars have a smaller group, making it easier to meet new people.

What would you say about the learning facilities?

For a university that was established over a century ago, the University of Leeds is quite high tech and current. I think the university does a good job of updating its facilities to incorporate more modern aspects while still keeping the history of the school intact. The law school has great study rooms and well-equipped classrooms. I also really appreciate how much the law school takes into consideration the critiques of its students. For example, the coffee machine in the atrium was subpar and when we told the school about it, it was quickly replaced with a much better one.

How do you find the student support in the School?

I think the school does a great job in supporting its students. Whether it’s the many workshops it puts on, help with interview preparation, bringing in lawyers from all disciplines to talk or even just having open dinners with staff – I think the school tries really hard to give support to its students in a multitude of ways. The school makes it very easy to get help whether for personal or academic reasons and student support can honestly be found anywhere.  

Have you been involved in any extra-curricular activities?

As soon as I could I joined the Law Society, and it was such a great decision. The law society is the largest in all Europe and not only does it have a massive network which will come in handy after graduation, but it also has a great social aspect. It holds amazing socials that allows for you to meet people from all years, holds supreme events for charity and on top of all of this, it has a great academic and career central side that really gives members tools to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

What would you say about Leeds as a city?

I LOVE Leeds. I think it’s a perfect mix between a big city and a small town. It has all the amenities you need but also has a sense of community that a lot of big cities don’t possess. I’m loving the weather (even though it can get pretty windy sometimes) and I like that it’s not too far away from other big cities. It also has a massive student population with 4 universities within its borders; so, the nightlife is amazing and there is always tons to do. I also love that there are nature trails surrounding the city so when I want to clear my head, I can always easily go for a hike. Needless to say, I am a huge fan of Leeds.

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course?

DO IT. Studying law is a lot of work and it can get stressful at times but it’s all well worth it. You will not regret choosing this course, this law school or this university one bit. DO IT.

What do you plan to do once you’ve finished your course?

I had originally planned to move back to Canada after graduation but after being at Leeds I hope to stay in the UK indefinitely. I am interested the area of corporate law, especially the formation and management of companies, so I would like to pursue a career in this field.