Tahir overcame his test anxiety and passed all his board exam papers.
About Tahir
"I have been successfully selected to participate in the pupillage program of the National Bar Council of South Africa. This is a distinguished and demanding training program for aspiring advocates who want to practice law at the highest level."
Background
"My academic journey began at a semi-private school in eThekwini, during which I earned a Bachelor's pass with distinctions. Right after matric, I enrolled at IIE’s Varsity College, Durban North, in pursuit of a degree in law, in correspondence with the University of the Free State. During my first year in college, I had the honour of being selected to compete in the KZN Moot Court Competition, which was an unforgettable experience. During my third academic year, I elected to take a ‘leap of faith’ and continue my studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It was a risky decision bringing with it fresh challenges and difficulties, yet it was a decision that I have never regretted. I now hold a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a proud alumni!"
Motivation for enrolling for Gawie le Roux's Attorneys' admission exam courses
"Upon registering for the attorneys’ competency-based examination, I discovered two modules, namely Wills & Estates (Paper 2) and Legal Bookkeeping (Paper 4). Let me be honest (as a lawyer should!), I had very little knowledge in these areas and even with the compulsory practical vocational training rendered by L.E.A.D., I just could not cusp the essence of these modules. What was more worrisome was that it involved numbers! Something that I tried my best to avoid. So strategically, I decided to split my examinations, easily being able to understand and write the modules on Court Procedures (Paper 1) and Legal Ethics (Paper 3), passing them both with ease.
And now, it was time to write Paper 2 and Paper 4. There was no avoiding it. Subconsciously, I had created an unhealthy mental block towards these two modules, procrastinating at every instance. Thinking about it would give me unnecessary anxiety; ‘the fear of failure’ and the sense of having no control over the outcome. My facial expressions were clear as the sun in a cloudless sky, I was worried and thus was noticeable to my parents and my fiancé. I would just like to express my heartfelt appreciation to these important individuals in my life who provided continuous encouragement and support throughout my journey. To those preparing for their competency-based examination, do not be afraid to converse with those who are important role-players in your life for the support, confidence and boost you need. You might feel you wish not to burden them with your stressors, but trust me, support structures are essential to having a positive attitude towards not only these 4 entry-based examinations, but the examination of life and the world that awaits.
Noticing the anxiety I was going through, and the self-made mental block created by no one other than myself, I happen to searched the web and found Gawie le Roux Institute of Law. I was amazed by the services offered; training candidate legal practitioners methodically in a manner that almost guaranteed a 100% pass rate upon enrolling. There was a passage that caught my eye: 'The golden thread that runs through all of our courses and seminars is the exceptional quality of our notes and manuals, with which we strive to empower all those working in the legal profession to behold the beauty of the law'. With no time wasted, I, with the blessings of my dad, immediately enrolled."
Tahir's tips to overcome exam anxiety
- Plan ahead
- Relax
- Sleep well
- Eat well
- Listen
- Think positively
- Tap into your spirituality
- Know your worth
- Communicate
What's next
"Besides law, there are many other upskilling opportunities that I could pursue next. For example, I could also take some courses on topics like business, finance, or marketing, which would give me a broader perspective and enhance my analytical skills. I could also volunteer for a cause that I care about, such as environmental protection or human rights, which would enrich my personal and professional life. These are just some of the possibilities that I could explore to grow and develop myself in different areas. I am excited to try new things and challenge myself!
I have a very ambitious future plan that involves a lot of legal work (and caffeine). I have three possible paths to choose from, depending on how lucky I get. One is to continue on my journey as an advocate and one-day sit as a Judge, dispensing justice and wisdom to the masses. Such a path is inspired by my aunt, The Honourable Madame Justice Halima K Saldulker, who sits as a Judge at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. Another is to be admitted as an attorney and open my own firm or alternatively get recruited by a well-known firm, where I can handle high-profile cases. The last option is to open a coffee shop because I love coffee! I think this would be awesome because I could wear whatever I want and drink coffee all day long! Of course, I would still need to know the law in case someone tries to sue me for making their latte too hot or something. But hey, that's what insurance is for, right? Or maybe I could just bribe them with some free muffins."