How I Would Prepare for SQE1 Using Notion: A Practical Guide

As someone who was part of the first cohort to successfully pass the SQE1, I can confidently say that the preparation process was incredibly challenging. None of the exams I had taken before could truly prepare me for the sheer volume of content that needed to be mastered. The overwhelming amount of information, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the best preparation methods, made the SQE1 a daunting task. Many SQE providers, despite their best efforts, couldn’t have predicted the exact nature of the exam or the most effective preparation strategies. However, like many others, I found myself in the deep end, forced to develop strategies and systems to navigate the SQE1 successfully.

Looking back, I would say the key to successful SQE preparation lies in organisation and discipline. It’s crucial to start by understanding the full scope of what you need to learn, carefully listing every subject and module, and then developing a robust study plan. From there, it’s about calculating backward from the exam date to ensure you can cover all the material and have ample time for practice exams.

One of the most effective study systems I developed to help me pass the SQE1 was using Notion to manage and organise every aspect of my preparation. Notion became my central hub—a digital command centre where I could keep track of every detail, from my study schedule to my revision notes. In this post, I’m excited to share with you a practical, step-by-step guide on how you can create a SQE1 study system on Notion that will help you stay organised, productive, and confident as you prepare for the exams.

Practical Guide to SQE Preparation

Benefits of Using Notion for SQE Prep

Using Notion for SQE preparation offers several advantages that can significantly streamline your study process:

• Reduce Paper Clutter: One of the first things I noticed when using Notion was how much it reduced the physical clutter of study materials. Gone were the days of flipping through endless stacks of paper, binders, and folders. With Notion, all my study materials were neatly organised in one place, accessible from any device with an internet connection. This not only saved space but also reduced the mental clutter associated with managing physical notes.

• Centralised Study Hub: Notion allows you to keep all your preparation materials—notes, study plans, revision questions—in one central location. No more flipping back and forth between different apps or files. Everything you need is just a click away. For instance, if I was working on Property Practice and needed to revisit my lecture notes, all I had to do was navigate to my Notion page for Property Practice, where I had already organised my notes, key cases, and practice questions.

• Enhanced Organisation: You can easily track your progress across all subjects, see what’s been done, and identify what still needs attention. This level of organisation is often underrated in law school study planners, but it’s crucial for staying on top of the extensive SQE syllabus. For example, Notion’s checklist feature allowed me to create a visual progress tracker, where I could tick off completed tasks, helping me stay motivated and focused.

• Productivity Boost: By having everything in one place, you eliminate the time wasted searching for materials or sorting through physical notes. Notion helps you focus on what really matters—studying and understanding the law. The ability to integrate to-do lists with my study schedule meant that I could see at a glance what needed to be done each day, allowing me to prioritise my tasks effectively.

• Seamless Integration Across Devices: Another key benefit of using Notion is its seamless integration across multiple devices. Whether I was at home on my laptop, in the library on my tablet, or on the go with my phone, I could access all my study materials without any disruption. This made it easy to fit in quick study sessions or review notes whenever I had a spare moment.

Create the Ultimate SQE1 Study Planner

Now that we’ve covered the benefits of using Notion, let’s dive into how you can set up the ultimate SQE1 study planner. I’ll walk you through the key components that helped me stay organised and productive during my SQE1 prep, providing detailed instructions and tips along the way.

SQE1 Main Dashboard

Your SQE1 Main Dashboard in Notion will serve as the command centre for your entire study process. This is where you’ll organise your study schedule, track your progress, and manage all your resources. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Create Two Gallery Databases for FLK1 and FLK2 Topics:

   • Start by creating two gallery-style databases in Notion, one for Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 1 and another for FLK2. In Notion, a gallery database displays items as cards, which is visually appealing and allows you to see each subject as a distinct entity. Each gallery will house individual pages for the topics covered under each FLK topic.

   • Each card in the gallery links to a detailed page where you can store all your notes, resources, and progress trackers.

2. Exam Day Details Page:

   • Dedicate a page specifically for exam day logistics. To do this, create a new page in Notion titled “Exam Day Details.” On this page, include crucial details such as the location of your exam, travel plans, time schedules, and a checklist of all required items (ID, stationery, snacks, etc.).

   • You can create a travel itinerary on this page, including maps and directions to the exam centre. A checklist for exam day essentials ensures you don’t forget anything important, like your ID.

3. Master To-Do Plan Linked to Each Subject Page:

   • Create a master to-do list that is linked to individual subject pages. In Notion, you can link databases to create interconnected lists or mirror a database. This allows you to track what has been done and what still needs to be completed across all subjects. Start by creating a database called “Master To-Do Plan” and create a view of the database in each main subject page.

   • If your to-do list includes “Review Contract Law Cases,” you can link this item directly to your Contract Law page or mirror the specific Contract Law to-do list database. Once you complete the task, it’s checked off in both the master to-do list and the subject page, keeping everything synchronised.

4. Master Subject Tracker:

   • Set up a database that outlines each subject and topic, with checkboxes or progress bars for key study activities like reading, note-taking, and practice questions. In Notion, you can create a table with columns for each activity and rows for each subject.

   • For each subject, such as Tort Law, your table might include columns like “Chapter Reading,” “Lecture Notes,” “Revision Notes,” and “Practice Questions.” As you complete each task, you can check it off, use the status property or update the progress bar, providing a clear visual representation of your preparation status.

5. Customise with an Exam Countdown Timer:

   • Add a widget to your dashboard that counts down the days, hours, and minutes until your exam. This serves as a constant reminder of how much time you have left and helps you pace your studies accordingly. You can use free widgets like Indify’s countdown timer to easily integrate this feature into your Notion dashboard.

   • Position the countdown timer at the top of your dashboard for maximum visibility. It acts as a motivational tool, encouraging you to stay on track and avoid procrastination.

SQE1 Subject Pages

Once your main dashboard is set up, it’s time to dive into the specifics of each subject. Each subject page in Notion will act as a dedicated workspace where you can organise all the information related to that subject. Here’s how to organise your SQE1 subject pages:

1. Set Up Each Practice Area and Black Letter Law Subject Page:

   • Within the gallery databases you created, set up individual pages for each practice area and black letter law subject. To do this, click on a card in your gallery database, and it will open a new page. Name the page after the subject, such as “Contract Law.”

   • On your Contract Law page, you might organise sections for key cases, statutory provisions, and important principles. This layout allows you to quickly navigate to the information you need during your studies.

2. To-Do List for Each Subject:

   • Within each subject page, create a to-do list that outlines all the tasks you need to complete. This could include reading chapters, attending lectures, taking notes, and completing practice questions. Use Notion’s checklist feature to add and check off tasks. This will form your Master to-do list on the main dashboard.

   • For Tort Law, your to-do list might include items like “Read Chapter 3 on Negligence,” “Review Lecture Notes on Duty of Care,” and “Complete Practice Questions on Breach of Duty.”

3. Note-Taking Section:

   • Dedicate a section within each subject page for note-taking. To do this, create a new text section or database within the subject page where you can summarise chapter notes, lecture notes, and any Q&As you encounter.

   • As you read through your materials, jot down key points, case summaries, and any questions that arise. This will create a comprehensive resource that you can easily review and customise during revision.

4. Q&A Revision Card Page:

   • Create a page for Q&A revision cards either for each subject or within each topic of each subject page. To do this, create a new page titled “Q&A Revision Cards” and use Notion’s toggle list feature to create flashcard-style questions and answers.

   • For Criminal Law, you might create a card that asks, “What is the mens rea for murder?” with the answer hidden under the toggle. This method allows you to test your knowledge regularly and reinforce key concepts.

5. Subject Tracker for Each Topic:

   • Set up a subject tracker for each topic within a database. This tracker should include your study plan—chapter readings, lecture notes, revision cards, multiple-choice questions, etc. Create a table with columns for each activity and rows for each topic.

   • For the topic of Equity & Trusts, your tracker might include columns for “Revision Cards,” “Chapter Notes,” and “Multiple Choice Practice.” As you progress, update the tracker to reflect what you’ve completed.

6. Resources Page for Each Subject:

   • Finally, create a resources page within each subject page and within each topic. This is where you can store links to useful articles, videos, case studies, and other materials. In Notion, you can embed links or upload files directly.

   • On your Property Practice page, you might have a resources section that includes links to key legislation, video lectures, and summaries of landmark cases. This keeps all your supplementary materials in one easily accessible place.

The Legal Blueprint’s SQE1 Notion Template

If setting up this comprehensive system in Notion sounds overwhelming, don’t worry—The Legal Blueprint has you covered. Our SQE1 Notion Template is a pre-made, fully functioning template designed to help you organise every aspect of your SQE1 preparation.

This template includes all the features mentioned above and more, from the main dashboard and subject pages to the to-do lists and progress trackers. It’s designed to be user-friendly and customisable, so you can tailor it to your specific study needs.

Ready to streamline your SQE1 prep? Learn more about The Legal Blueprint SQE1 Notion Template here. And if you’re ready to take the plunge, Buy Now to start organising your study plan today.

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Preparing for the SQE1 is no small feat, but with the right tools and strategies, you can tackle it with confidence. Using Notion as your law school study planner not only helps you stay organised but also makes your study sessions more efficient and productive.

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend signing up for Notion to start building your ultimate SQE1 study system. And if you need a little extra help, don’t forget to check out The Legal Blueprint’s SQE1 Notion Template—it’s the perfect companion to guide you through your preparation journey.

Sign up for Notion here and take the first step toward SQE success.