After a few days of uni most people will have sorted out a routine and some study patterns. For many, this will involve very little study. At least for now, that’s okay. Law can sometimes feel like it’s off to a slow start. You’ll be talking about how lawyers can be seen as greedy or benevolent, and covering deeper questions such as “What is Law?” Most people won’t find this especially gripping, and some will already be pretty familiar with the content and concepts.

The danger here is that one day you might just notice that the content got a lot harder, meanwhile you’ve been asleep at the wheel. It’s worth avoiding this situation at all costs. Come the end of the year, much of the cohort will be trying to find out what they got taught in the first few weeks of the course when they weren’t really paying attention and not quite studying effectively. In my view, this is the biggest trap of first year law.

Aside from the obvious, that the content does get a lot harder, and you’re going to have to learn it, first year law is similar to any other year of law. The only difference is that later on, ‘C’s will get degrees’. If you want to play it that way, that’s fine, but be warned, you’ll struggle to find work as a lawyer after graduating.

The key to first year is to overcome the uncertainty of getting in to second year. Nobody knows for sure if they’ll make the cut — and worrying about it won’t improve your chances. Some students will be pretty sure of themselves, while others will be expecting a challenge. You can disregard whatever your classmates tell you in terms of how confident they are, and how well the year is going for them. The key here is to take the important steps which actually improve your odds. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to internally focus on your own goals and study. Successful law students don’t have to be geniuses, but they all work hard.

There are lots of solutions to deal with the uncertainty. Studying hard, being organised, forming study groups and seeking out extra help will go a long way to improve your chances. Remember, it’s the long game you’re playing. Tacky as it may sound, if you believe in yourself and your abilities as a law student, you’ll find yourself in second year before you know it.