With the UK Foundation exams this week and Final exams next week, some of you may be struggling to balance revision, work, and your wellbeing. This is just a short article to remind you that you are not alone, and to provide a list of places where you may be able to access confidential support.
Firstly, please remember that these exams are hard, and failure is normal. It is extremely rare for a patent attorney to qualify without failing an exam at least once. If an exam goes badly, you can still succeed in your chosen profession. Most of our qualified colleagues have failed at least once on the path to success. It is easy to think that you are the only person struggling, and that everyone else is doing fine. But that is generally not the case – everyone struggles with stress and anxiety sometimes, and it’s ok to ask for help.
Here are a few resources:
- LawCare: call 0800 279 6888 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). They also have an online chat available Tues/Wed/Fri from 9am to 5pm.
- Jonathan’s Voice website
- IP Inclusive mental health and wellbeing resources page
- Yellow Sheet welfare and wellbeing pages
- Exams and mental health blog posts: Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3
- Email informalswelfare@gmail.com for a confidential chat with a trainee patent attorney who is also a mental health first aider.
You are not alone!
The Yellow Sheet 