Life of a law student: Things you should know

A law student’s life is a healthy mix of academics, extra-curricular activities and social life. The journey of a student in a law school totally depends on how the student perceives and embraces it

Extracurricular Activities

Outside the realm of the normal curriculum, a law student should actively participate in activities organized by various societies and clubs like Moot Court Association, Society of Law and Literature, Legal Aid Cell and Alternative Dispute Solution Cell, Modern United Nations Club, UPES. Researching, debating, mooting, writing legal essays and interning are  an essential part of the journey.

Moot Court, in simple words, is a model set up of a courtroom, and aims to help aspiring lawyers to understand the intricacies involved in representing a party in a legal suit.

It is a recreation of real life court proceedings and gives the participants a chance to argue like a lawyer. Moot courts are like regular court proceedings and begin with the submission of memorials. Memorials are the written submissions of the arguments framed by both the parties of the case. Moot court competitions are organized nationally as well as internationally. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual moot court competitions have been the norm in academic institutions.

In my first year of BA LLB, Energy Laws, I participated in UPES Novice Moot Court Competition; it is a competition where only first-year law students participate so that they gain confidence while competing with students from their batch only. UPES, School of Law hosts international and national events such as Dr. Paras Dewan Memorial International Energy Law Moot Court Competition and Surana & Surana National Insolvency and Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition, among other such events.

Other competitions such as Client Counseling Competition, Mediation Competition, Trial Advocacy Competition, Youth Parliament, parliamentary debates, etc., are highly edified by law students because these competitions not only increase the knowledge of the students, but also turn their dream of becoming a lawyer into reality. Participation in such competitions prepares a student for the world outside the law school. It also helps in developing command over the language.

Internships

Internships give an experience outside of the law school along with  industry insight. First-year students start their internships with NGOs and lower courts to begin with serving the community at a ground level. Once a student works under a senior lawyer, he or she develops a better understanding of paperwork, case presentations, argument framing and so on. It is a learning experience for life. Internships provide good opportunities of networking and opens several doors. A law student should always remember that networking is the key and knowledge is most definitely power here.

Seminars and Presentations

Lastly, seminars, research papers, presentations, discussions and debates help in developing confidence and legal oratory skills. Legal databases like Lexis Nexus, Hein Online, Manupatra and SCC are best friends to a law student. The research papers help in expressing opinions on latest contemporary law issues. It is a useful tool for placements and admissions for higher law degrees.

A law student’s life is not about legal matters alone. There is plethora of social and cultural events happening around the campus where everyone can display their talent, ranging from dance to drama. Starting the day with lectures to mid-day lunch break to after-college committee meetings, the day of a law student passes by in a jiffy and these are the very moments that makes the journey memorable. If students are motivated and enthusiastic in their approach towards achieving their goal, success is guaranteed. 

(The writer is a student of BA LLB, 3^rd Year, Energy Laws, at UPES School of Law)