A Year in Review

Over the past year, our team has put in countless hours to build upon the project started by the law students before us. A Reasonable Standard has evolved into a project that we are all so incredibly proud of. This year we published a total of 20 articles (including this one!), with each of our team members writing their own contribution. It has been incredibly heartwarming and inspiring to read about all of the incredible experiences and perspectives from my fellow peers, and we hope these articles have helped other students feel less alone in their struggles throughout university. 

We have also had an incredible team putting together a number of podcasts, discussing some very current challenges and experiences within the law practice. The team has had to work so hard to put these podcasts together, and we’re all really proud of the amazing result that they have achieved.

Our social media team has excelled at building up our presence on these platforms, spreading the word about the goals of our project and encouraging others to get involved. It is largely because of this team that we are able to host our very first event (tomorrow evening at the time of me publishing this!).

Providing a platform for discussion about mental health in law is what ARS was created for. We are thrilled to say that, through the combined efforts of our team and our panellists, we are able to put together a Mental Health Networking Event. The aim of this event is to provide students the opportunity to meet new and established professionals in the field, who are willing to be honest and transparent about the reality of working in law. We hope this experience will help reduce some of the anxieties and uncertainties that many of us feel as we progress through our studies, and are forced to consider what life will be like working in such a competitive profession.

A Reasonable Standard has meant so much to all of us, and so, for our final contribution by the team of 2024, here are some of the key takeaways from our members :)

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Nisha

Team Lead

ARS gave me the opportunity to express my personal interest in the cause of supporting the mental health of law students and lawyers. As someone who has struggled with my mental health with regards to the high demands of school and university, being given the platform to interact with other students and lawyers has been cathartic in reminding me that I am really not alone in this struggle! This opportunity has further instilled in me the necessity for more open conversations on mental health, especially in fields like Law. 

Angela

Website Sub-team lead

Getting the opportunity to read so many thoughtful and vulnerable stories written by our team has been a very wonderful and eye-opening experience. I have really enjoyed seeing the positive responses and connections built not only between fellow law students, but students from all degrees. I feel incredibly grateful that I was able to work with such lovely people passionate about a topic that is so important to me :)

Ben

Podcasts Sub-team lead

As a returning member, ARS holds a very special place in my heart. It has been a pleasure in continuing to work with passionate, like-minded students in achieving our objective of unveiling the struggles of law school in hopes that others can relate to it and find comfort. This year, I have particularly enjoyed working as the podcast subteam lead and interviewing esteemed lawyers, who have generously shared their stories about law school and the journey beyond. Thank you to my fellow teammates for making ARS a continuing amazing experience :)

Keiran

Social Media Sub-team lead

Being a part of the ARS has taught me so much and I have enjoyed engaging with other like-minded students. ARS was just one of the topics I thought looked interesting when I applied for the LAP but since spending most of the year working with this team it has gained a special place in my heart I am so excited to see how it grows next year. 

Arya

Engaging with like-minded law students was the highlight of my ARS journey. From learning about all things legal practice and wellbeing, to penning vulnerable pieces sharing the challenges of law school that often go unheard, ARS provided a forum for self-advocacy; a platform to share memories, experiences and stories to the wider Monash Law community. 

Riya

It has been a very enriching year, being able to work with the ARS team producing resourceful and accessible material for students and current professionals regarding the importance of mental health, wellbeing and the law. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed  starting the ARS TikTok page and look forward to continuing the production of current and relatable content for our audiences.  

Emma

I have absolutely loved being able to meet some incredible people who are a part of ARS. It has been amazing to hear so many different perspectives about law and mental health. My favourite part of ARS has been working on our podcast and I am excited to see how this podcast will grow in the coming years. 

Chantelle

ARS has been a great introduction to law school with the experience of meeting new and like-minded students. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work on the website as an editor and it has been wonderful reading each team member’s article that brings their personal perspective to the topics we have covered this year.

Muskaan 

Being a part of ARS has been an incredibly fulfilling and exciting journey. I am honoured to have contributed to a platform that has encouraged open and supportive conversations about mental health as it relates to studying and practising law. Being able to share my experiences and speak with like-minded peers has taught me the value of vulnerability, empathy, and community in fostering a supportive environment for discussing the mental health challenges in the legal field.

Sharee

ARS has been a lovely opportunity to meet new people. Seeing the breadth of character present among the team has been refreshing, through the articles you can see how unique yet similar every individual is. 

Valerie

I have had a wonderful experience meeting new people and making connections through ARS. It has been reassuring to read the articles written by my peers and understand that a lot of people go through the same struggles and have the same concerns. ARS is a vital tool in helping law students feel less lonely and increase mental wellness. 

Maggie

ARS has been a fulfilling experience, allowing me to connect with like-minded peers and engage in meaningful work that raises awareness about mental health in the legal profession. The opportunity to write essays and contribute to discussions that challenge the stigma surrounding mental health in law has been truly rewarding. 

Ben F

Being a part of the ARS team has been an incredible opportunity. I have been able to work with some incredibly intelligent people, and make a difference in our Law School community. I have really enjoyed my time on ARS and  look forward to watching it grow in the coming years.

Juliette

ARS has provided me with invaluable insight into the taboo and rarely discussed struggles of mental health among law students and the industry as a whole. It is so exciting to be a part of a group that shares a genuine concern and interest in improving mental health transparency among students and those interested in entering the field. 

Anushka

Being a Part of ARS has been an amazing experience. It has been my first endeavour within law school, and has afforded me the opportunity to work alongside incredibly talented, bright people who are passionate about making Law School a healthy, happy place for us all. LAP has been so incredibly rewarding, and I’m very thankful for the opportunity I had to work with the ARS team. It is an experience I will never forget. 

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Finally, on behalf of ARS, I thank you for taking the time to engage in our content. I cannot express our gratitude, and we hope you have been able to gain something from our project.

I can’t wait to see what the team of 2025 are able to accomplish, but for now, I wish you all the best, and thank you for reading :)

Written by Angela Cremona with the contributions of ARS 2024