Law student Richa reflects on her first two years at Birmingham Law School, offering advice to her first year self.
Starting university felt exciting, overwhelming and honestly a little intimidating all at once. Looking back now at the end of my second year of law school, there are so many things I wish I could tell my first-year self. At the time, I thought everyone around me had everything figured out, but the truth is that most people were just trying their best, just like me.
The biggest piece of advice I would give is to stop putting so much pressure on yourself. In first year, it is easy to feel like every assignment, every decision and every interaction will define your future. It will not. University is about learning, not just academically but personally as well. You are allowed to make mistakes, change your mind and grow.
I also wish I knew how important it was to get involved early! Some of my best memories came from saying yes to opportunities that initially made me nervous. Whether it was joining a new society, attending networking events or simply talking to new people in seminars, those moments helped me feel connected and confident. It can feel uncomfortable at first, but everyone is looking for friendships and shared experiences.
Another thing I would tell myself is that asking for help is not a weakness. There will be times when the workload feels stressful or when balancing university life becomes difficult. Reaching out to academic staff, friends or support services can make a huge difference. You are never expected to manage everything completely alone.
At the same time, do not forget to look after yourself. It is easy to fall into a habit of believing you need to be productive all the time, but rest is just as important. Some of the most valuable moments at university happen outside the classroom, whether it is late night conversations with your flatmates, celebrating with your friends after deadlines or even taking a break and enjoy campus life. Those moments matter just as much as well.
What I would want my first-year self to know most is that confidence comes with time. The things that seemed daunting at the beginning, speaking in classes, presenting ideas, meeting new people, will all eventually become normal. University has a way of helping you discover the strengths you did not know you had.
There is also so much to look forward to. Whether it’s new friendships, societies, personal growth and memories you will carry long after graduation. Even the difficult moments teach you something valuable. Looking back, I realised that first year was not about having everything perfectly organised. It was about learning, adapting and finding my place.
If I could leave my first-year self with one final thought, it would be this: enjoy the experience. Do not spend so much time worrying about whether you were doing university “correctly” that you forget to appreciate the journey itself. The years go quickly and one day you will look back and realise just how much you grew along the way.
Law LLB
Hello, my name is Richa! I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada but my family moved there from Vadodara, India.
