INTERVIEW: Advita Agrawal – AIR 842 [CLAT UG 2024] Shares How a Typical Day in her CLAT Prep Life Look Like
Be honest—what made you think, “Yeah, I can crack CLAT in one month”?
How did I feel? Totally panicked, intensely curious, and kind of ridiculously confident all at once. I realized fast that CLAT wasn’t about cramming facts; it was a brutal test of how quickly you could read, think logically, and analyze. My main thought was: “This is going to be tough, but maybe I can figure out how to ace this”.
Did this start as a serious plan or a “let’s see what happens” moment?
I have always had a clear plan: if I could be anything in life, it would be a lawyer. However, my initial procrastination meant that I only started serious preparation one or two months before the exam. It was at that point I realized the need to get serious and draft a study plan, which ultimately left me with only one month for focused preparation.
If your one-month prep had a movie title, what would it be?
Maybe “Deadline v. Me”, a lot of panic, but thankfully a happy ending.
What did a typical day in your CLAT prep life look like—chaotic, disciplined, or controlled madness?
Controlled madness is the most accurate description. My day was basically:
- Morning: Newspaper reading and current affairs
- Afternoon: Studying (the memorization or concept clarity part)
- Evening: Solving passages or mocks (on alternate days) and analysis of mistakes (the most painful but important part)
- Night: Convincing myself I can’t do it.
It wasn’t perfect discipline, but it was consistent effort.
Any study hacks that saved you precious time (and sanity)?
The 2 most important ones are having faith in myself that everything will work out in the end and being consistent. Also, analysing mocks and learning from them, reading like a detective (fast and efficient), and focusing on weak areas as if they are enemies and battling them.
Did you ever feel like quitting mid-prep?
Yes. Around the second week, when scores weren’t improving and everyone else seemed better prepared, I definitely questioned my life choices. But I reminded myself: it’s just one month, I might as well give it everything.
How did you deal with the pressure of knowing time was not on your side?
I tried not to think about the limited time too much. Instead, I focused on improving a little every day. Breaking the preparation into small, manageable tasks helped me stay productive rather than anxious.
How did you feel when you found out you got into HNLU?
Getting into an NLU was the most incredible feeling, truly a dream come true. It was surreal, like a ‘pinch me, am I dreaming moment’, realizing I was one step closer to achieving my dream.
What did this one-month journey teach you about yourself?
It taught me that I’m capable of handling intense pressure and adapting quickly. Sometimes we underestimate how much we can achieve when we focus completely on a goal.
Do you think confidence matters as much as preparation? Why?
Yes, confidence is extremely important. Preparation gives you knowledge and skills, but confidence helps you apply them calmly in the exam hall. Without confidence, even well-prepared students can make mistakes.
What would you say to someone who thinks it’s “too late” to start CLAT prep?
I would say it’s never too late if you’re willing to work smart and stay consistent. Even a short period of focused preparation can make a significant difference.
Biggest myth about CLAT preparation you’d like to bust?
The biggest myth is that you need years of preparation or extensive coaching. While guidance can help, what truly matters is strong reading ability, reasoning skills, and regular practice.
One piece of advice for students who want to aim high but doubt themselves.
Start anyway. Self-doubt is natural (happened to me as well), but action is the only way to overcome it. Once you begin working toward your goal, confidence gradually follows, and then you would realise that this is what you always wanted but you were just too busy doubting yourself.
Lastly but definitely not the least, If CLAT were a person, what would you say to it today?
I’d say, “you almost broke my sleep schedule and my sanity, but in the end you gave me a seat at HNLU, so I guess we’re even”.
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Adtiya Aryan
Contributing author
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