Navigating NALSAR by Isha Tandon (Class of 2023 – NALSAR)

Isha Tandon is a first year student of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.

I didn’t write the CLAT. Yep, I’m one of those people, who got in through quota, skipping what I know is one of the toughest exams to crack. It was one of my greatest fears – that I’ll never feel like I deserved to be there along with the rest who had worked so very hard.

But let me put it out here in writing, so it’s absolutely clear – IT DOESN’T MATTER. Your rank, whether you got in through quota or not – none of it matters once you’re here. You may have been the topper in your school, city or even your entire state, but guess what? So were all the others who got in here. So once you’re here, yes, maybe there will be hushed whispers about the people you’d read articles about or seen hoardings of, but beyond the first couple of days and weeks, what really matters is who you are while you’re here.

Why am I writing this article, despite having no locus on giving tips? I want you to get the delio – the delio of life at Law School (if you got that reference, your life is half-sorted anyway, why are you bothering with this article?) It’s going to be overwhelming – that’s just the way it is. You are going to be unprepared – no matter how many times you stalk the pictures of the fests or read the articles on CLATGyan or the answers on Quora. Nothing is going to prepare you for the absolute adventure that Law School is. And that’s okay – it’s the best part about college, going through the uncertainties and anxieties and knowing you survived at the end of the day.

One thing you need to be sure of though, while you prepare for CLAT, exhausting your physical and mental health, is whether this is the path for you. Because it’s a long term commitment, in case you hadn’t noticed, and one that’s going to be filled with stress and anxiety, even if Law is all you’ve ever dreamed of.  There are going to be days where you eat breakfast only because you haven’t slept at all and days when you’ve consumed so much coffee you’re not even sure of the world around you. This isn’t to scare you, but only to remind you – that while you’re spending all this head space memorizing the countless dates and records (at least that’s what I’m assuming you guys are doing. Please read the hoards of other articles for real tips), please also take a little time and read up on what you’ll be studying while at law school. Talk to people – get in touch with seniors from a variety of colleges and pester them to tell you about their subjects, their course materials. Get a fair idea of whether or not that excites you because trust me, you’re going to need that love for the degree, in the times you doubt your choices here.

That being said, it’s also okay if you don’t have a set goal or plan in life, if this has been the result of a process of elimination and if you’re not 100% sure why you’re picking this field. “I don’t even have a pla”, Phoebe Buffet and a lot of law students have said. Just make sure that you know what you’re getting into so that even when it does get overwhelming, you know that it was you who made the choice to be here.

Now that I have successfully wasted a solid 5 minutes of your precious time, let me end it on an exciting tone – there’s a lot that awaits you, whether or not you get into the college of your dreams. You may not end up where you’ve wanted to, but try keeping your mind open and you will find a new home. Yes, you’ll have to do your own laundry (never.trust.the.dhobi) and might even have to make your own food (nestle stock prices will rise because of all the Maggi you consume) but the people will make up for it all, for you’ll all laugh and cry together.

Good luck for all that awaits you and in times of stress, just watch an episode of The Office (or not. Don’t listen to me. Study and stuff).

Please leave a comment below in case you have further queries; Isha will reply to them. In case you are desperately in need of a Personalised Action Plan, please read this.

If you’re looking to enroll to a test series, you might consider subscribing to the CLATGyan Test Series 2019.