This Law School Experience has been shared by Thanush S, Campus Leader at Lawctopus.
My name is M Vaibhav Nath, a 2024 graduate from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.
My journey through law school has been a transformative experience, characterized by academic challenges, extensive internships, leadership roles and invaluable extracurricular activities.
This essay reflects on my experiences, insights and growth during my time at law school.
Academic Experiences
The journey from the start to the end of law school has been quite versatile. Coming from a Government Law College with a history of around 150 years, it was an academic thrill to share the same stepping stone as many pillars of the legal fraternity.
Initially, I found myself in quite a few confusing situations. Many concepts were overwhelming for me and no matter how much I tried, some concepts just went right over my head.
I never fully grasped them until I realized how I could learn and mastered my own methods. I found that having in-depth conversations about subjects with peers or seniors always helped me get a grasp.
When it comes to favourite classes, I can’t pick and choose, as much of my time was spent with various clubs or events and co-curricular or extracurricular work. However, the professors were always welcoming and willing to help me understand if I had any doubts.
Extracurricular Activities
My involvement in moot court competitions was one of the highlights of my law school life. Participating in these competitions honed my legal research, writing, and argumentation skills and provided me with a vast network of people I met across the country at various moots and MUNs.
The preparation was intense, and the competition was fierce, but the experience was incredibly rewarding. My first moot was on Company Law, and I was strictly warned by everyone about how demanding and challenging it would be to moot on such a tough field.
However, the rewards included an understanding I would never have attained if I had stuck to just books. Though I believe if not for my early days in college being consumed by COVID-19 and my lack of interest in online moots, I would have been able to learn a lot more.
I always tell my juniors to do moots and take up challenges; these events can substantially improve one’s understanding and network, which in the legal field can make a huge difference.
In addition to moot courts, I actively participated in debates and Model United Nations (MUN) events. As a leader and organizer of several MUN conferences, I developed strong leadership and organizational skills.
These events provided a platform to enhance my public speaking abilities and fostered a deeper understanding of international relations and diplomacy.
Organizing these events required meticulous planning, coordination with various stakeholders, and effective communication, all of which contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth.
The relentless effort that went into building a team and organizing the first-ever MUN in a government law college in Kerala was a challenge. In its initial days, people laughed at the prospect of it happening, but with the help of the team, it became a reality.
We also went on to win six out of seven national-level MUNs held in Kerala that year, which to this day is a record in the Kerala MUN Circuit. I also served as a panel member in Lok Adalat and Consumer Court, where I adjudicated on various disputes. These experiences were instrumental in developing my dispute resolution and negotiation skills.
Working on real cases and achieving successful resolutions was immensely satisfying and reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career in law. One particular case involved a complex consumer dispute that required careful consideration of both legal principles and the interests of the parties involved.
Successfully resolving this case was a testament to the practical skills I had acquired and my ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Organizing seminars and workshops was another crucial aspect of my extracurricular activities. I was privileged to organize Ekastha, an International Educators Conference under SKET, which brought together educators and NGOs from various backgrounds.
The conference focused on innovative teaching methods and educational reforms. Planning and executing this event involved collaborating with numerous NGOs, coordinating logistics and ensuring the smooth conduct of the conference.
The success of Ekastha was a testament to the power of teamwork and effective project management. Another significant aspect of my extracurricular involvement was my work with the Placement Cell.
As the Convenor of the Placement Cell, I worked diligently to bridge the gap between students and potential employers. This role required effective communication, negotiation and organizational skills.
We organized career counseling sessions, and workshops to prepare students for the job market. The success of these initiatives was evident we were also successful in signing MoUs with institutions such as Kerala Start up mission.
This experience not only enhanced my organizational and leadership skills but also reinforced the importance of networking and professional development.
Personal Growth
Throughout my law school journey, I acquired a diverse set of skills. I developed critical soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication through my involvement in various student organizations and extracurricular activities.
These skills were not only essential for my academic success but also crucial for my overall personal development.
Overcoming obstacles was an integral part of my journey. Balancing academics with extracurricular activities was challenging, but it taught me effective time management and stress management techniques.
I recall a particularly demanding period when I was preparing for exams while organizing the 1st Edition of GLCT MUN conference. Despite the pressure, I successfully managed both responsibilities, which boosted my confidence and resilience.
These experiences taught me the importance of prioritization and maintaining a positive mind-set in the face of challenges.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my law school journey, the key takeaways are the importance of perseverance, collaboration and continuous learning. These experiences have shaped my career aspirations, driving me towards a career in corporate law and dispute resolution.
The lessons learned and skills acquired during this period have not only prepared me for the legal profession but have also contributed to my personal development.
My time at Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram has been a period of growth, learning, and invaluable experiences that will guide me in my future endeavour.
The friendships forged, the knowledge gained, and the challenges overcome have all played a crucial role in shaping the person I am today. As I embark on the next chapter of my career, I carry with me the lessons and memories from my law school journey, confident in my ability to navigate the complexities of the legal world.
This law school experience is a part of our experience series wherein our campus leaders share their experiences of their college. Stay tuned for more!
Disclaimer: Law School Experiences are opinions shared by individual law students and tend to be personal and subjective in nature. The law school experiences shared on Lawctopus are NOT Lawctopus’ official views on the law school. We also do not edit law school experiences (except to ensure readability) to ensure that the author’s voice remains intact.
Source: Lawctopus
