How to Create a Notion Account: A Step-by-Step Guide for SQE Students and Aspiring Paralegals

Navigating the path to becoming a solicitor is no easy feat. Whether you’re preparing for the SQE, managing job applications as a prospective paralegal, or juggling training contract applications, staying organised is crucial. Notion, a versatile digital workspace, can be your secret weapon in managing the complexities of your legal journey. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to create a Notion account and set it up to streamline your studies, job searches, and application processes.

Why Notion? The Ultimate Tool for Legal Professionals

Before we get started, let’s talk about why Notion is a must-have tool for anyone in the legal field. As a law student or aspiring paralegal, you’re likely dealing with a mountain of study materials, job applications, and deadlines. Notion allows you to manage everything in one place—whether it’s your SQE study schedule, job application tracker, or a detailed plan for securing a training contract.

With Notion, you can create tailored templates for each aspect of your legal journey. Imagine having your study notes, application deadlines, interview prep materials, and career goals all organised in one space. Not only does this make your life easier, but it also boosts your efficiency, helping you stay ahead in your legal career.

Step 1: Signing Up for Notion

1.1 Visit the Notion Website

To get started, head over to the Notion website and click on the “Get Started for Free” button. You can sign up using your email address, Google account, or Apple ID. If you’re managing multiple accounts or services (as most of us in the legal field do), using your Google account can make it easier to integrate Notion with your other tools.

1.2 Choose Your Plan

Notion offers several plans. For students and professionals just starting, the free plan is more than enough. It gives you access to unlimited pages, blocks, and basic sharing capabilities—perfect for managing your SQE prep or job applications. However, if you foresee using Notion extensively for client management, team projects, or want to track your applications with more advanced features like version history, the Personal Pro plan might be worth the upgrade.

1.3 Setting Up Your Workspace

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be taken to your new workspace. This is where all your projects, notes, and databases will live. Notion’s intuitive interface makes it easy to get started, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Take a few moments to familiarise yourself with the sidebar, where you’ll manage all your pages and databases.

To start, I recommend creating a simple page for your main focus areas—such as “SQE Preparation,” “Paralegal Job Applications,” or “Training Contract Tracker.” If you’re looking for inspiration or need a head start, check out the Legal Blueprint’s Notion templates, which are designed specifically for law students and professionals like you.

Step 2: Customising Your Workspace

2.1 Creating Pages for Different Needs

Pages in Notion function like digital notebooks, allowing you to organise everything from study notes to job application details. Start by creating separate pages for each major area of your life:

• SQE Preparation: Use this page to organise your study schedule, notes, and practice questions. You can create sub-pages for each subject area within FLK1 and FLK2, where you can store lecture notes, case briefs, and revision plans.

• Paralegal Job Applications: This page can serve as your hub for tracking job applications, managing deadlines, and storing research about prospective employers. Include sections for company research, application status, interview prep, and follow-ups.

• Training Contract Tracker: For those targeting training contracts, set up a page to monitor your applications, track deadlines, and store personalised cover letters and CVs. This page can also include sections for networking contacts, interview notes, and post-interview reflections.

Each of these pages can be further customised with databases, lists, and checklists to suit your workflow.

2.2 Using Databases for Organisation

Notion’s database feature is incredibly powerful for organising large amounts of information. Here’s how you can use databases to manage different aspects of your legal career:

• SQE Study Tracker: Create a database where each row represents a topic or module. Columns can include “Study Material,” “Status,” “Key Cases,” and “Practice Questions.” This allows you to see at a glance where you stand with each subject and what needs more attention.

• Job Application Tracker: Set up a database where each entry is a job application. Include columns for “Company Name,” “Position,” “Application Deadline,” “Status,” and “Next Steps.” You can also link this to a separate page where you store your CV, cover letters, and notes for each application.

• Training Contract Database: If you’re applying for training contracts, you can create a similar database with added columns for “Firm Research,” “Interview Date,” “Contact Person,” and “Follow-Up Actions.” This helps you keep track of multiple applications and ensures you don’t miss any critical deadlines.

Databases are also great for linking related information. For example, you could link your “SQE Study Tracker” to a “Case Law Database,” allowing you to cross-reference case briefs with the topics you’re studying.

2.3 Adding and Customising Templates

Notion comes with a variety of templates, but the real power lies in customisation. For example, you might use a “To-Do List” template as a base, then customise it to include specific legal tasks like “Review Case Law,” “Update CV,” or “Prepare for Interview.” This way, you can streamline your workflow and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

If you’re not sure where to start, the Legal Blueprint’s Notion templates are a fantastic resource. These templates are pre-made with the needs of law students, paralegals, and future solicitors in mind. You can either use them as they are or modify them to better suit your personal workflow.

Step 3: Syncing Across Devices

One of the great things about Notion is its cloud-based nature, meaning your workspace syncs seamlessly across all your devices. Whether you’re in the library on your laptop, on your phone during a commute, or on a tablet at home, all your information is accessible at any time.

To ensure you have access everywhere, download the Notion app from the App Store or Google Play Store. Log in with your account, and your workspace will sync automatically. This is especially useful for tracking deadlines or updating your application status on the go.

Step 4: Collaborating with Others

Collaboration is key when you’re working on group projects, study groups, or even co-managing an application process with peers or mentors. Notion makes it easy to share pages and databases with others, allowing you to work together in real-time.

For instance, if you’re working with a study group to prepare for the SQE, you can share your “SQE Preparation” page with your classmates. This way, everyone can contribute notes, share study materials, and keep track of group tasks. If you’re co-managing job applications with a mentor, you can share your “Job Application Tracker” to get feedback and advice on your approach.

Simply click the “Share” button on the top right corner of any page and enter the email addresses of the people you want to collaborate with. You can control whether they have full editing rights or view-only access, depending on your needs.

Step 5: Advanced Features for Legal Professionals

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you may want to explore some of Notion’s advanced features that can further streamline your legal studies and career management.

5.1 Integrations with Other Tools

Notion integrates with several other tools that you might already be using. For example, you can link your Notion workspace with Google Drive to store and access documents directly within Notion. This is particularly useful for keeping track of job application documents or legal research files.

You can also integrate with calendar tools like Google Calendar, which allows you to track important dates like exam deadlines or interview schedules without leaving your Notion workspace.

5.2 Automation for Efficiency

If you love efficiency, Notion supports automation tools like Zapier. These tools can help you automate repetitive tasks, such as adding new job postings from your email directly into your Job Application Tracker or setting up reminders for upcoming deadlines.

Automation is particularly helpful when you’re juggling multiple applications, interviews, and study sessions. By automating routine tasks, you free up time to focus on what really matters.

Your Legal Journey Starts with Notion

Creating a Notion account is just the beginning. Notion offers the flexibility and power you need to organise your SQE studies, manage job applications, and streamline your path to a successful legal career. By setting up a well-structured workspace, you can stay on top of your tasks, track your progress, and ultimately achieve your goals.

If you’re ready to get started, sign up for Notion here and take the first step towards transforming your legal career. And remember, if you need a head start, check out the Legal Blueprint’s Notion templates designed specifically for legal professionals like you. They’re a great way to jumpstart your organisation and stay ahead in your studies and career.

Happy organising, and best of luck in your legal journey!