What to Expect in the First Year of Law School?
Many law entrance exams have already happened and most universities have started their admission process with the exception of National Law Universities since the Common Law Admission Test is yet to take place.
In the next 2 months, almost all universities will complete their admission process and a new crop of law students will enter law schools (perhaps virtually).
It is possible that this year’s session may be held virtually but these things will apply to the very first year you spend at law school so let’s assume you all go physically (fingers crossed).
There are a few things that WILL happen with most students and we thought an idea today will help you deal with them tomorrow.
Shopping Spree
Am I right or am I right?
Everyone shops for college before their first year, some less and some more but almost everyone does. Let’s talk about the basics which you should do but avoid the extravagance.
- Uniforms: Do not buy more than 2-3 pairs. The logic of using them for 5 years will not work. You will end up buying new ones in a year or two even though you buy 5 pairs today.
- Expensive Blazers: Don’t buy unnecessary expensive black blazers just because Harvey wears an expensive suit and Barney taught you to hate cheap suits. They earn six figures (or more) in dollars, you depend on your parents. While a blazer is necessary, buy one which is easy to maintain because the use will not depend on the local climate, sometimes you will have to wear it in 45 degrees and you cannot get it dry cleaned every 3 days.
- Laptops: Unless you have hobbies/interests which require a high-end laptop, let me assure you a 12GB Ram, I7 processor is NOT necessary. Any laptop which can help you surf the internet and MS-Office basics.
- Anything else: Do not assume the use of anything major, if the need arises you can always order them.
New Friends
The most exciting part of going to college is meeting new people and making new friends. You enter campus and suddenly you know 50 people by name and meet them every day. It’s magic and dreamy.
However, take precautions before you become too friendly with anyone. Observe people before you become good friends because friendship rubs off on you. The people around you have an effect on you.
At the same time, do not judge anyone on the basis of a single incident, learn to give chances and although be a bit cautious but trust people.
Freedom
The freedom to be your own guardian is a feeling like no other. There is absolutely nobody to tell you when you have to eat, sleep or roam around. It is at this juncture when you are at the helm of your career and life. Whichever way you choose to steer, you will go.
It can be a road full of mistakes from which you can never come back or it can be a series of good decision which will lead you to success and happiness. While you should be strong in both scenarios, try to avoid the first.
Do not misuse the freedom, learn to use it wisely. Learn to say NO to things.
Subjects
The most amazing part of law school is the subjects that you learn. These are subjects that you have never learnt before and are completely new.
The relation of an act with another, the details of case law, the method of researching. Everything will seem like a dream.
Some of those subjects will be interesting while some will make you compensate for the lost hours of sleep. While a few will be easy to understand, others will require an extra mile of effort.
When the topics start going over your head, do not shy away from approaching the faculties. They are there to help you. When that does not help, ask your seniors or friends.
There will be times when none of these will help, then move towards good online courses which are affordable and give value for money.
Whatever you do, do not leave a subject hanging.
Homesick
A few months have passed, the nearest vacation is atleast a month away and you have run out of things to do.
You visited the popular spots, went out with friends, partied, and basically everything under the Sun. Now, you miss home.
You feel like skipping college and going back to your own home, your town with your family and friends.
Remember, running away is not the answer. Call your family everyday, call your friends often and stay in touch. Let them know you miss them and keep the date in mind when you’d be going back.
However, until that day comes, stay put and give your everything to your law school.
Internship
The semester is over now. You met your family for a week and the homesickness has subsided for now.
You’re happy but at the same time now boredom has kicked in because you have developed a habit of doing things and being at home is not the same as before.
Finally, the time to start your internship has come. You visit your new office for the month and start work.
Since you did well in exams, you thought you have the skills to excel at the internship but to your surprise, you don’t know half of what is required in the real world.
Turns out, theoretical knowledge is of very less use here. Don’t be disheartened, you’re not a bad student. It happens to everyone, convert this internship into a learning phase and promise yourself, once you’re done here, you will not feel this way again. Learn everything there is about working in that office.
Or, you can equip yourself with the skills you need before you enter that office, there are courses which teach you exactly the type of work that goes on in the offices.
Whether you take the course or learn on the job, do not feel bad because you didn’t know when you started but make sure you know most of it when you end.
All the best for law school.
In the words of a popular TV show, “It sucks, you’ll love it”.
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Aditya Anand
Contributing author
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