I'll just get straight to it.

I am currently an Undergraduate in English Literature and Irish Studies in the UK. Following my Degree, I am thinking of doing a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). In short, a Law conversion course for those who have an Undergradate Degree in a non-Law subject. This is where I am currently -- just entertaining the thought, I don't graduate until Summer 2021.

Growing up, I thought you had to be really intelligent to be a Lawyer/solicitor. From my experience meeting law students at University, a lot of them are actually not that bright. This isn't me wagging my dick, I've just genuinely ran across a half-dozen or so, who are: rich, living off Mummy and Daddy types, that don't have that bright spark that I thought lawyers needed. I am beginning to think that this stereotype was a Hollywood notion that I've gone on to believe (think: Ryan Gosling in 'Fracture', or Matthew McConaughey in 'Lincoln Lawyer').

With regards to my own situation, I am fairly diligent, well-read, and work my arse off. I am currently poised to Graduate with a First-Class Degree, but I'm the first to admit that I am not actually super intelligent. I will just work my arse off to find an argument in an essay, find evidence to support it, and shoot from there. Most of the times it pays off as my argument is well-structured, and well-supported (with other studies/articles). I don't possess much of a crazy critical eye/originality, I just read 5 articles, and find a thread that I would like to give my original spin to, then expand from there.

My question is: is this 'enough' to work in Law? Or am I lacking that special little X factor? Or am I fabricating this X factor completely?

Also, I have read a few articles on the day-to-day of a lawyer. But in your own words, what is the work:home life ratio like? I would like a career where I can leave work, and enjoy my home life, but I am not sure of the practicalities of this.

Money isn't so much of an issue with me (it's a good bonus), I would rather have a lower-paying job that I got satisfaction out of, than a higher-paying job that stressed the fuck out of me.

Any help is appreciated. Cheers.