Law student Farah Irdina discusses the complexities and challenges of balancing her legal studies with her racing career.
Being behind the wheel often gives me peace and happiness, even when there is a lot in mind, suddenly it all goes quiet. Racing isn’t just about speed, it’s the discipline, the effort which made every victory, no matter how small, feel like the world had opened a little more.
The only problem is that racing is never affordable. Sponsorships don’t come easily, and sometimes it drains me, both financially and emotionally. There were days when I felt like I had nothing to show for my effort, my time, and my investment. The sponsors I reached out to didn’t reply, or worse, I got the dreaded “we’ll keep you in mind for the future” emails that were little more than polite rejections. I was chosen to race in Formula Woman Nations Cup but only had the chance to test the car once just 2 days before the race. Even though I qualified for the upcoming race, it will always hit me that I can never have a lot of track time like most do. But even in those moments of doubt, I know I could never give up.
At the same time, I am juggling my law studies, which on the surface seem worlds apart from racing, yet strangely, they have many similarities. Both require dedication, precision, and the ability to think on your feet. And both demand sacrifices. I had chosen this path too, though for reasons that ran deeper than just career ambitions. Law is my way of securing a future, a backup plan in case the dream of racing doesn’t come to fruition. It is also my way of pushing myself, learning something that will force me to grow. But the hours I spend on assignments, classes and studying are sometimes the hours I wish that I am on track. As a person who is trying to make the two-worlds work, there are definitely days when the weight of both worlds feels unbearable. I sometimes wake up exhausted from late-night studies, but still need to find the time to do research, reach out to sponsors and still go to class.
But through all the exhaustion, the setbacks, and the self-doubt, I have learned that persistence is as much about endurance as it is about passion. It’s about waking up every morning, even when you feel like you’ve got nothing left, and doing it all over again. It’s about being okay with not having all the answers but still pushing forward. The breakthrough came slowly for me. A small sponsor here, a discount on some needed equipment there. To some it may not mean as much, but to me it means the world. Not because it was a big deal, but because it meant someone believed in me, even if only a little. That belief, however small, kept me going when everything else seemed like it was falling apart. This applies in my studies too. The relief and happiness for finally understanding a difficult question, acing my assignments and exams.
I still don’t have all the answers, and I’m still balancing the dream of racing with the reality of law school. There are days when I wonder if I’ll ever make it, or if I’ll have to choose one path over the other. But I’ve learned that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. Life isn’t always about reaching the finish line; sometimes it’s about learning how to keep going, no matter how many pit stops you have to make along the way.
Author: Farah Irdina
Farah is a law student with an aim to succeed in the field of motorsport. Her unique blend of academic discipline and racing enthusiasm shapes her perspective, blending precision with a competitive spirit.
