Let’s be honest: SQE2 prep isn’t a smooth, linear path. Even the most motivated candidates hit a wall at some point. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe mocks aren’t improving. Maybe you’re just not seeing the progress you expected.
Whatever it is—you’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean you’re not capable. What matters is what you do next.
In this post, we’ll walk through what to do when you feel stuck or overwhelmed in your SQE2 preparation, and how to keep going—without burning out.
Signs You’ve Hit a Wall in SQE2 Prep
First, let’s identify it. Hitting a wall doesn’t always mean full burnout. Sometimes it looks like:
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Dreading every study session
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Struggling to focus, even when you want to study
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Re-reading the same paragraph five times
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Avoiding mock exams or marking your own work
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Feeling like everything you learn disappears the next day
If this sounds familiar, it’s time to press pause—not quit.
Step 1: Step Back and Breathe
When you’re stuck, the instinct might be to push harder. But often, what you actually need is a reset.
Take a short break—yes, even a full day or two. Close the books. Don’t feel guilty. Your brain needs rest to process information and recover from overload.
✅ Go for a long walk
✅ Sleep in
✅ Catch up with someone who makes you laugh
This is not wasted time—it’s recovery time. And it’s essential if you want to bounce back.
Step 2: Diagnose What’s Actually Going Wrong
Once you’ve had space to reset, ask yourself why you’re stuck.
Is it:
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Overwhelm? You’re trying to cover everything and feel buried.
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Lack of clarity? You’re not sure what the exam expects.
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Confidence crash? You failed a mock or got harsh feedback.
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Mental fatigue? You’re just genuinely tired.
Understanding the cause helps you fix it. Vague frustration doesn’t. Be honest—and kind to yourself.
Step 3: Adjust Your Study Strategy
If your current approach isn’t working, tweak it. Small changes can make a big difference:
🕒 From long sessions to short sprints:
Break your study time into 45-minute focused blocks with 10-minute breaks. You’ll retain more and feel less drained.
🧠 Switch to active recall:
Stop passively reading. Try:
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Talking through the law aloud
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Doing closed-book mini mocks
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Flashcard testing
This helps you feel progress and rebuild confidence.
📋 Simplify your to-do list:
Instead of “revise advocacy,” write:
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Rewatch mock
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Note structure
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Practise intro + conclusion
Small, specific tasks feel doable and satisfying to complete.
Step 4: Reignite Your Motivation
It’s hard to push through a wall when you forget why you started. Reconnect with your “why”:
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Why do you want to qualify?
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What would it mean to pass this exam?
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How will your life look when it’s done?
And if that feels a bit too abstract, inject some external motivation:
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Watch a video from someone who passed SQE2
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Join a study group or accountability circle
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Celebrate a small win—like completing a timed writing task or reviewing one topic properly
Step 5: Keep Showing Up (Even Imperfectly)
You don’t have to study perfectly to pass. You just have to keep going.
Some days, you’ll fly through a practice exam. Other days, you’ll barely get through 20 minutes. Both count.
Keep the habit alive. Build momentum, even when motivation is low. That’s what separates people who pass from those who give up too soon.
Final Thoughts: The Wall Isn’t the End
If you’re hitting a wall in your SQE2 prep, it doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It just means you’re human—and you care. Take a breath. Realign. Try again tomorrow.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to stay in the game.
You’ve got this.