Student Perspectives: Sara Hopkins

Hello 1Ls...

Here is the second interview in our Student Perspectives series! Sara Hopkins is our outgoing ombudsperson and incoming VP Academic.


Name: Sara Hopkins

Year: 3

Age: 32

Hometown: Maple Ridge

What did you do before law school?
I was a sprint kayaker for many years, and when I wasn’t training, I studied English at UVic and Atlantic Canadian History at Saint Mary’s in Halifax. When I retired from competition I coached in Fort Langley, studied Education at SFU and taught high school.

What area of law are you interested in?
Criminal, administrative, labour and employment, immigration … it’s so hard to choose.

A fun fact about yourself…
Keep me out of crowds - honestly, it’s for the best.

What was your favourite part of Orientation Week?
Anne Giardini’s welcoming lecture has always stuck with me, but my favorite part of orientation week was meeting the amazing people who are now my colleagues and friends.

What was the best advice an upper year gave you when school started?
Take time to get to know your small group over the first month. You’ll hear this from many people, and it sounds clichéd, but you truly will rely on that group of people. Whether you go to the official social events or not, get to know your small group. You’ll need each other. If you don’t find people in your small group that you can relate to, branch out. Going it alone is unpleasant and difficult.

What was the worst advice an upper year gave you when school started?
Nothing comes to mind, so I must have blocked it out!

What was your favourite part of first year?
I was so impressed by the range of talent and experiences of my friends and colleagues. I did (and still do) value their diverse perspectives on law and life.

What was the most challenging part of first year?
Reading efficiently and prepping for class was easier in the second semester, but the workload was a bit heavy.

What was your favourite social event in first year?
I’m not a terribly social person, but I made an effort to try each event at least once. I’d have to say my favorite events were the low-key, regular ones like the Centre for Feminist Legal Studies’ Tuesday lecture series or the Friday afternoon Faculty Colloquiums - perhaps not traditional social events, but great chances to meet students and faculty members with similar interests.

What would you do differently in 1L?
CAN earlier and be better prepared for class by reading other people’s CANS.

What extracurriculars would you recommend to 1Ls?
I tried everything that I had a slight interest in, but was careful not to overextend myself … much. I enjoy working directly with people and being in court, so LSLAP was great for me. The Legal Education Outreach program has also been an amazing way to connect my legal studies with the community. Serving as a First Year Representative on the Academic Issues Committee was also an incredible opportunity to become familiar with my classmates and faculty.


What was your favourite class? Favourite professor?
That’s a difficult and unfair question. I had fabulous professors in all my first year classes. Robin Elliot was inspiring in Constitution, Janine Benedet provoked great discussion in Crim and Bruce McDougall’s clarity pulled me through Contracts. Dennis Pavlich was generous with both his time and his breadth of knowledge in Property, and Nikos Harris wrapped the intricacies of Tort law into a riveting performance every class.

Any words of wisdom for the incoming 1Ls?
Study hard (CAN earlier that you think you ought to), but take time to get outside.