Topics: Law Studies, Learning Tips, Top of the Class, Career Path, Job Entry, summa cum laude, Academic Career, Internships, Doctorate, University of Basel.
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Good day Mr. Yacoubian, we are pleased to welcome you for an interview. You have completed both your bachelor's and master's degrees with a grade point average of 6.0. What learning methods or techniques can you recommend?
I think it's particularly important at the beginning of your studies to first learn how to study properly. Compared to school, you have to be able to process and master a lot of material in a relatively short amount of time during your studies. There isn't one single method or technique for this; instead, each student has to find out what works best for them. It can be unsettling at the beginning of your studies when some fellow students write long summaries of textbooks, while others only study with flashcards, lecture slides, or case study books.
Ideally, you should try out different alternatives at the beginning and find out what (doesn't) appeal to you. I observed very different learning methods among my friends, all of whom were very successful in their studies. The obvious reason for this is that each person acquired the necessary knowledge and understanding using the learning method that suited them. For this reason, based on my own experience, it is of little help to try to learn how others learn. I found reading textbooks and solving practice cases particularly helpful.
In this way, I was able to acquire the necessary knowledge and also check whether I understood it for practical application. Finally, I had a great study group where I could always exchange ideas.
Ideally, you should try out different alternatives at the beginning and find out what (doesn't) appeal to you. I observed very different learning methods among my friends, all of whom were very successful in their studies. - Christapor Yacoubian
What challenges did you encounter during your university career and how did you deal with them?
Of course, during your studies, you are challenged in various ways. At the beginning of your studies, you often feel overwhelmed. I moved from Schaffhausen to Basel for my studies and had to first find my way around and settle in. Not only was the city new to me, but so were all the people and the daily routine of studying. At the same time, it was a very beautiful time, as I found a second home, made numerous new friendships, and also benefited from many freedoms and opportunities that university life brought with it compared to school.
Typical problems during studies, which probably every student has experienced, were then stress and time pressure: On the one hand, you want to enjoy student life, on the other hand, you want to perform well and ideally also work a little – balancing all of this can be quite challenging. It is important to find a healthy balance in order to feel both relaxed and motivated. Then there was the pandemic, which shaped my master's degree in a way I never could have imagined. Since I was also working as a first-year course assistant in the law of obligations during this time, we had to digitize the teaching from one day to the next.
It was a very intense time, during which I – like probably everyone – could learn a lot for life. Looking back, I see many challenges also as opportunities – and I think this is the healthy approach that I would recommend.
It is important to find a healthy balance in order to feel both relaxed and motivated. - Christapor Yacoubian
What advice would you give other students who want to improve their academic performance?
I would encourage everyone who wants to improve their academic performance to make this decision. I know many students who, after initial difficulties, completed their studies with very good grades and have remained very successful afterwards. Personally, I am convinced that with the appropriate commitment, an improvement in one's own academic performance is usually possible.
The more you engage with the lecture material, the more practice cases you solve, the better you prepare, the more successful you can pass an exam. Generally, additional effort is therefore rewarded. You should stay on the ball, be motivated and, above all, enjoy learning and understanding.
Of course, it helps if you understand quickly, recognize legal contexts easily, or can remember a lot effortlessly; however, you can also achieve a (very) successful degree with a lot of hard work and intrinsic enthusiasm. What always helps in this case is a study group where you can motivate each other, make progress, encourage and also comfort each other – together you get further.
... You can also achieve a (very) successful degree with a lot of hard work and intrinsic enthusiasm. What always helps in this case is a study group where you can motivate each other, make progress, encourage and also comfort each other – together you get further. - Christapor Yacoubian
What extracurricular activities or hobbies, in your opinion, can support learning?
Personally, I believe that extracurricular activities or hobbies should primarily be just that: extracurricular. It is very important to find a healthy balance between studying, working, and leisure time. I can imagine that it could even be counterproductive to consciously pursue leisure activities that are supposed to support learning.
If you no longer manage to switch off in your free time and occupy yourself elsewhere, you will probably hardly be able to perform at full capacity at the crucial moment. Breaks are, in my opinion, indispensable for successful studies.
What doors open after graduation with your outstanding grades?
For me, a door opened to academic work during my studies: I am currently doing my doctorate. Therefore, I can't say much about other doors yet. But I believe that good grades primarily facilitate the job entry after graduation or the search for internships (for us lawyers, for example, with regard to the bar exam). Afterwards, you probably have to assert yourself anew. In any case, I am curious to see if and which doors will open.
I believe that good grades primarily facilitate the job entry after graduation or the search for internships [...] Afterwards, you probably have to assert yourself anew. - Christapor Yacoubian
How important are internships during your studies?
I did various short internships during my studies. It certainly makes sense and is helpful for several reasons to do a short internship during your studies: On the one hand, you have the opportunity to gain practical experience early on and see which activities you like.
On the other hand, you can already establish first contacts. I have many friends who later returned to the place of their first internships or even received a job offer there. However, I believe that it is not at all disadvantageous if you have not completed an internship during your studies. If, for example, you want to take the bar exam, you will ideally gain (first) practical insights and get to know different people at various stations after graduation.
What are your professional plans for the future?
After completing my doctorate, I plan to undertake various internships at courts and in a law firm, with the subsequent intention to take the bar exam. Currently, I can very well imagine continuing on the academic path. On the one hand, I am particularly fond of the precise thought process and work methodology in legal science. On the other hand, I have always found great joy in my teaching career so far, particularly in imparting knowledge to other students and supporting them in their learning process.
Thank you very much for the insightful glimpse and the helpful study tips. We wish you much success in your further career path!