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FRESHMEN- DO’S AND DON’TS
“Mail me the article tonight”
How am I supposed to expound life at law school? It’s almost a herculean task to summarize five years of nothing less than a roller coaster ride in five hundred words. But then, my boss is too good looking, you really don’t want to disappoint her! So here it comes.
My job requires me to travel pan India, interact with school students and tell them why law has emerged as one of the most sort after courses in the recent past. Well, I am paid enough to profess this but then I am no Katrina Kaif who endorses Lux soap and well the world knows she would probably never have used this soap in her entire life! She is more likely to use a Versace or a Hugo but then I genuinely feel that by cracking the CLAT examination and making it to the top law schools, you do more justice to your career than is done by any other Tom, Dick or Harry out there.
To begin with these elitist institutions provide unrivaled and unparalleled placements which, if, is matched by the best under graduate college in this country. The best part is that, amazing placements and good money is just one of the many good things that’ll come your way. The quintessential distinction between a law school and any other college in this country is five years of gala time and merry making up for grabs. So all those successful aspirants who are too anxious and fidgety pondering how their next five years are going to be, gear up for the most memorable journey of your life.
As freshmen, you face a lot of challenges, and so, at every such juncture you need to act astutely and quick witted. Hot seniors, metro sexual ambience, commonplace bourgeoisie, an opinionated and cocky bunch, much talked about hostel life, rampant rat races to make it to the zenith- believe me no Havells can protect you from getting a cultural or an existential shock if you’re still clung to your mother’s pallu. But midst all this ruckus and chaos, don’t forget why you’re at a law school in the first place – to appreciate the articulacy of law and groom your personality. If this imperative goal is left behind unrealized and the culprit is your laid back attitude –“It’s freshmen year, let’s chill for now, there’s enough time”, then sorry that never happens at NLUs. Yes there’s “chill” time and lotsa “kill bill” time too but one does need to keep a steady eye on the work front to avoid the academic and grade fall shock. So, a few do’s and don’ts that you must consider as freshmen.
Most importantly, there can be no substitute for hard work. Zealous, pumped up students make sure they don’t miss a single lecture for the first few weeks or months, but then all this zeal and excitement is shoved up god knows where (You know it, don’t make me say it). Folks, you lose track once and there’s no coming back. As Belford puts it “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it” Don’t lose your focus. Period. Go ahead and date, find out all inconspicuous and dingy places on campus, making sure every time they aren’t so dark that you can’t ‘make out’ who you’re with(pun intended), drink (water more frequently and everything else less frequently and more responsibly) BUT not at the cost of falling grades.
Participate. Extra-curricular activities at law schools hold a very important place.
“But then I can’t really debate, I’ve never done this before”
“I suffer from stage fright, sudden need to go to the washroom as soon I see the podium” “My spoken English is weak, I don’t think I am cut out for this”
“It’s the first year, let us watch and learn and not act foolish by taking on these senior school giants”. You don’t want to be a part of this loser club, do you? There no such thing that can’t be achieved with practice and you can only practice by participating. Subject yourself to pressure situations, don’t give a flying rat’s ass about what people say and you’ll realize all your fears were nothing but a sheer state of mind (Unlike poverty of course, Mr. Rahul Gandhi)
Avoid rebellions. Ragging is unacceptable, but hey! It’s not kindergarten and you’re no lollipop licking kid (pun not intended this time, I swear) Gelling with seniors and building rapport is as important. Don’t be a sissy/cry baby just because somebody asked your name. And all you guys, until unless it’s a girl, no physical assault has to be tolerated. Ragging laws are stringent and the moment you realize your modesty has been violated anyhow, report it and let law take its course.
Law school is no place for introverts. Extra curriculars at law schools, most importantly moot court competitions are all about team work. Keeping to yourself and interacting scarcely will take its toll, please avoid doing that. At the end of the day , ever lasting memories with friends is what you take after graduating!
Lastly, the rationality and logic quotient has to be nurtured exponentially.
“I love Kejriwal because he is honest”
“Why do you think he’s honest?”
“Gut feeling, I can tell that”
Really!! Come on, who told you to chuck your engineering plans?
Lawyers are a different breed altogether and there’s a reason behind that – well thought of, justified stances. Instill and inculcate commonplace logic and use it appropriately. It’ll help you go places.
Apart from this there’s the standard mundane deliberation – respect your teachers, be faithful to your friends and love interest (Don’t right away dump your drop year/school time girlfriend or boyfriend), sleep early and don’t get glued to the laptop rerunning selected scenes from game of thrones!
In the end, give your best shot and let things pace themselves.
P.S. For best faculty and results, come to Clat Possible.
-Th. Abhishek K. Singh
Mentor at Clat Possible.
