What I Wish I Knew in My First Year of Law School

Making Notes in the library

Walking into law school feels like entering a courtroom unprepared—intimidating, chaotic, and oddly exciting. You think you’ll be Harvey Specter from Suits or Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, but instead, you end up struggling to pronounce res ipsa loquitur without stuttering. If I could go back in time, here are the nuggets of wisdom I’d give my first-year self (and maybe save a few mental breakdowns along the way).

1.     Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover—Literally

Those old, worn-out library books everyone avoids? They’re underrated treasures. I once found a 30-year-old book on constitutional law that explained concepts better than any modern commentary. Old books often simplify what new ones overcomplicate.

2.     Befriend the Librarian—They’re Smarter Than Google

Picture this: You’ve spent hours searching for the perfect case law online, drowning in irrelevant PDFs. Enter the librarian, the underappreciated Sherlock Holmes of your campus. They know the best books, rare journals, and even the unlisted gems hidden in dusty shelves. Don’t be shy—ask them! Librarians will give you research tips Google could never dream of.

3.     Stop Drowning in Highlighter Ink

Confession: I thought highlighting entire judgements was “studying.” It wasn’t. Instead, build a “case table.” Create columns for the issue, arguments, and key takeaways of cases. It’s simple, effective, and makes revising for exams way less terrifying. Bonus: You’ll look like the organised law student you pretend to be.

4.      Group Discussions Are Goldmines

As an introvert, I loved solo studying—until I realised I wasn’t a genius who could absorb everything on my own. Group discussions helped me see different perspectives and gave me the “aha!” moments I couldn’t find in textbooks. Pro tip: Befriend the nerd in your class who’s always quoting Latin maxims. They’ll save your life during moots.

5.     Professors Care About Effort, Not Perfection

You don’t have to know every answer to impress your professors. They appreciate genuine curiosity and thoughtful questions over silence. Trust me, no one remembers the question you asked that seemed “dumb.” But your professors will remember your enthusiasm.

6.     Fancy Internships Aren’t Everything

Sure, the big firms look great on your CV, but small chambers, NGOs, or grassroots organisations? That’s where you learn the real nitty-gritty of law. Drafting petitions, meeting clients, and figuring out how the system works—these experiences shape you more than a glass office ever will.

7.     Keep a record of your mistakes

Every time you mess up, write it down. Forgot to cite a case? Jot it down. Misinterpreted a section of the law? Add that too. It’s not about beating yourself up—it’s about tracking your progress and learning from your mistakes. You’ll thank yourself when you notice how much you’ve grown.

8.     Notes Are Better as Decision Trees

Law can be confusing, but breaking it into “if-then” statements makes it manageable. For example, “If X happens, then Y applies.” Decision trees simplify even most topics, like Contracts or Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, etc.

9.     Write Case Commentaries

I wish I’d started earlier. Writing short, sharp opinions on recent judgements will sharpen your critical thinking and impress recruiters. Your analysis matters—more than you think.

10. Canteen Debates > Moots

Some of the best legal debates don’t happen in class; they happen over chai in the canteen or late at night in your dorm. These unstructured discussions challenge your thinking and prepare you for real-world arguments better than any formal setting ever could.

Law school isn’t just about moots and marks; it’s about finding what works for you. The sooner you realise that, the better your journey will be. So, experiment, make mistakes, and don’t forget to breathe.

What’s one thing you wish you knew in your first year of law school? Let me know in the comments, or DM me your story! Don’t forget to bookmark this for future reference—because trust me, you’ll need it. Let’s survive law school together!