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how to survive first year of law school

How to Survive First Year of Law School in India : 2025 Ultimate Guide for Freshers

Tarun Sharma
· 6 min read
How to Survive First Year of Law School in India : 2025 Ultimate Guide for Freshers

Introduction:
Welcome to Law School—What to Expect in Year One

Stepping into law school is an exciting milestone—but for many, the first year can also feel overwhelming. Suddenly, you're surrounded by intelligent peers, new legal subjects, complex language, and the pressure of moots and internships. Unlike school, where learning was more structured, law school demands self-discipline, critical thinking, and a professional mindset from day one.

This blog is a complete guide for first-year law students in India. Whether you are at a National Law University (NLU), a private university, or a government law college, this guide shares practical tips to help you survive and thrive. Written by someone who has gone through the same journey, this blog includes academic strategies, common mistakes to avoid, mindset shifts, and real-life examples to help you stay ahead in your first year.

Real Stories from First-Year Law Students in India

Many students enter law school expecting it to be similar to college or school. The reality is different. Here are some insights from students:

"In my first month at law school, I struggled with Latin maxims and lengthy judgments. What helped me was forming a study group and sticking to a daily reading routine." – Aarav, NLU Odisha

"I was too afraid to try moot court in my first year. But once I joined as a researcher, I realized how helpful it was for building confidence. I wish I had tried sooner." – Nisha, Symbiosis Pune

"The competition is real, but it shouldn't make you insecure. Everyone has their pace. I focused on organizing my time and took part in one co-curricular every semester." – Aditya, JGLS

Their experiences show that first-year challenges are common but manageable with the right mindset and tools.

Top 5 Mistakes First-Year Law Students Make (And How to Avoid Them)

  1. Waiting Too Long to Start Studying: Many students relax in the first few months, thinking exams are far away. But law subjects are content-heavy. Start reading from the first week—especially your Bare Acts.
  2. Not Understanding the Bare Act Format: Instead of reading simplified guides first, start with the Bare Act. Understanding the language of the law is a core skill. Use commentaries and YouTube only to support your reading.
  3. Avoiding Internships and Moots Out of Fear: Many students think they need to be an expert to participate. That’s not true. First-year moots and NGO internships are beginner-friendly. Just show interest and learn by doing.
  4. Ignoring Time Management: Law school has lectures, assignments, events, and competitions. Without planning, it’s easy to fall behind. Avoid cramming and last-minute stress by sticking to a weekly study schedule.
  5. Comparing Yourself to Others: This can drain your confidence. Focus on improving your skills. Law school is not a race; it’s a journey. Everyone has different strengths.

Academic Tips to Ace Your First-Year Subjects

  1. Know the Syllabus: Read the syllabus carefully and break it into manageable chunks. Prioritize foundational subjects like Constitutional Law, Law of Torts, and Legal Methods.
  2. Master the Bare Act: Learn how to read sections, illustrations, and provisos. Highlight keywords and understand the structure. Bare Acts are the basis of every legal answer.
  3. Write Short Notes and Case Briefs: After each topic, write one-pagers summarizing the law and relevant cases. This will help during revisions and internal assessments.
  4. Follow a Reading Schedule: Use a planner to cover 1–2 topics per week per subject. Allot fixed hours for legal reading and revision.
  5. Understand Case Law with Context: Don’t just memorize case names. Understand the facts, issues, decision, and reasoning. Use Indian Kanoon, SCC Online, or your college database.
  6. Use law dictionaries: Terms like "tort," "mens rea," or "ultra vires" may be new. Look them up regularly using books like Wharton’s or websites like LegalBites.

Time Management & Study Techniques That Actually Work

  1. The Time-Block Method: Divide your day into blocks—reading time, lectures, breaks, and revision. This improves focus and reduces stress.
  2. Pomodoro Technique: Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After 4 rounds, take a longer break. This improves retention.
  3. Weekly Planning: Every Sunday, set study targets for the week. Include moots, readings, and deadlines.
  4. Avoid multitasking: don’t study while scrolling your phone. Focus on one task at a time. It improves both efficiency and quality.
  5. Use Flashcards & Flowcharts: Use index cards to remember maxims and doctrines. Flowcharts are useful for topics like stages of a trial or elements of tort.
  6. Digital Tools: Apps like Notion, Evernote, and Google Calendar can help you stay organized.

Moots, Internships & Co-curriculars—When & How to Start

  1. Start Small: In the first semester, attend moot court workshops and observe rounds. In the second semester, apply as a researcher or speaker in internal moots.
  2. Choose Your First Internship Wisely: Start with NGOs, legal aid cells, or district court internships. They’re more about learning than performance.
  3. Join Clubs and Societies: Look for debate, ADR, legal writing, and environmental law clubs. They help build your CV and improve confidence.
  4. Don’t Overcommit: Choose 1–2 activities per semester. Quality matters more than quantity.
  5. Document Your Experience: Keep a record of what you learned in moots and internships. Reflect on your role, challenges, and skills gained.

Mental Health, Peer Pressure & Burnout in Law School

  1. Recognize Early Signs: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or constantly tired—it may be burnout. Address it early.
  2. Talk to Someone: Share your feelings with friends, seniors, mentors, or college counselors. Most students feel the same way in their first year.
  3. Set Boundaries: It’s okay to say no to events or study sessions if you’re tired. Rest is productive too.
  4. Don’t Chase Validation: It’s tempting to prove yourself through moots or scores. But real growth takes time. Focus on consistency.
  5. Practice Self-Care: Exercise, sleep well, eat right, and disconnect from social media for a while each day.
  6. Accept Imperfection: Everyone makes mistakes—wrong answers, bad internships, or low grades. Use them as stepping stones.

Mindset Shifts Every Law Student Must Learn to Succeed

  1. From Memorizing to Understanding: Don’t just mug up sections. Understand legal reasoning and the why behind the rule.
  2. From Competing to Collaborating: Form study groups. Learn from your peers. It’s a long journey, and support systems help.
  3. From Passive Learning to Active Learning: Engage with content—discuss judgments, question doctrines, and write blogs.
  4. From Fear of Failure to Growth Through Feedback: Use every failure as feedback. Reflect, improve, and come back stronger.
  5. From Instant Results to Long-Term Growth: Law school is not a sprint. It’s a marathon. Focus on skills that compound over time—research, writing, speaking.

Building Smart Habits & Planning for the Long Run

  1. Set Monthly Goals: Break your semester into months. Set targets—like completing Constitutional Law Part I or joining a moot by mid-term.
  2. Make One-Page Case Summaries: Every week, summarize one major case. Format: Facts, Issue, Decision, Reasoning. Build a case bank for exams.
  3. Journal Your Learnings: Write a weekly journal. What did you learn? What worked? What didn’t? This helps build self-awareness.
  4. Track Your Progress: Use a spreadsheet or app to log reading progress, hours studied, or skills learned.
  5. Plan Early for Internships: By mid-first year, prepare a basic CV and start exploring internships for the semester break.
  6. Read Legal Blogs and Judgments: Build a habit of reading one legal article and one recent SC/HC judgment every week. It adds real-world depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the first year of law school really difficult?

Yes, the first year can be challenging because it introduces you to a new way of thinking, complex legal language, and competitive academics. However, with the right study techniques, time management, and support from peers or mentors, it becomes manageable and even enjoyable.

2. How should I study law subjects in the first year?

Start by reading the Bare Acts alongside class notes. Make short notes, understand key case laws, and revise regularly. Don’t just memorize—focus on understanding legal principles and applying them to situations.

3. Should I do internships in my first year?

Yes, but start small. First-year students can intern with NGOs, legal aid centers, or observe court proceedings. These experiences build your confidence and help you understand the legal field better before jumping into corporate law firms.

4. Is participating in moot courts important in the first year?

It’s not mandatory, but highly recommended. Start as a researcher if you're nervous. Mooting builds confidence, legal research skills, and public speaking—all important for your law career.

5. How can I manage law school studies and co-curriculars together?

Use weekly planners and block your time for lectures, self-study, and one or two co-curriculars. Don’t try to do everything at once—prioritize and be consistent. Law school rewards time management.

6. What books or materials should I use in the first year?

Stick to your prescribed textbooks, Bare Acts, and basic commentaries. Use Indian Kanoon, LiveLaw, and YouTube channels for clarity, but don’t rely solely on summaries. Build your base with real legal texts.

7. How do I deal with peer pressure and competition in law school?

Remember, everyone has their strengths. Focus on your personal growth and learning pace. It’s okay to feel behind sometimes—don’t compare your chapter 1 with someone else’s chapter 5.

8. What skills should I start building from the first year?

Work on legal writing, reading judgments, critical thinking, and organizing your thoughts. Learn to research effectively, communicate clearly, and stay curious. These skills will help you throughout law school and beyond.

This survival guide is meant to empower you with clarity, confidence, and a strategy to not just survive—but truly grow in your first year of law school in India.

Focus on progress, not perfection. Be curious, consistent, and kind to yourself. That’s how successful lawyers are made.