Starting a New Academic Year as a Law Student

September and October mark a fresh start for thousands of law students across the country.  If you’re beginning your degree, returning for another year, or stepping into postgraduate training, the new academic year is like opening a blank casebook. It's full of potential, but can also be a little daunting.

Reflecting on the Past Year

Before you dive into new modules and reading lists, pause to reflect. Did you stay on top of your lecture notes? Were you confident in seminars, or did you shy away from speaking up? Did you balance your studies with time for yourself?

Law builds on itself year by year. Spotting what helped you succeed, and what might have held you back, can make the months ahead much smoother.

Setting Realistic Goals

It’s tempting to begin the year with lofty aims: “I’ll read every case in full,” or “I’ll apply for every vacation scheme going.”  Ambition matters, but so does sustainability. Instead, set three kinds of goals:

• Academic goals: i.e commit to revising lecture notes within 48 hours.

• Career goals: Plan to enter at least one mooting or advocacy competition this term, or to draft 3 mini pupillage applications.

• Personal goals: Protect some downtime each week so you don’t burn out.

These can act as a compass when deadlines start piling up.

Building Habits Early

The first few weeks are when you set the tone. Good habits now will save you a lot of stress later:

• Stay organised: Track assignment deadlines, careers events, and application windows in one place.

• Prepare for advocacy: Practise public speaking in small ways, ask a question in a lecture, contribute in seminars, or join a mooting society.

• Balance your workload: Consistent study beats last minute cramming every time.

Taking Opportunities Outside the Classroom

Some of the most valuable experiences you’ll gain this year won’t come from textbooks. Mooting competitions, debating societies, pro bono clinics, and legal journals all build skills that employers prize.

For aspiring barristers and solicitor advocates, advocacy experience is essential. That’s where Speed Mooting can help. Our competitions, Advocacy club workshops, and events are designed to give you real world practice in presenting arguments, thinking on your feet, and building the confidence you’ll need in pupillage / training contracts, and beyond. It doesn't matter if it's your first time trying advocacy or you’re sharpening your skills, Speed Mooting offers a supportive community where you can learn by doing. 

For those looking towards a career as a solicitor, opportunities like client-facing clinics and vacation schemes are equally important - but advocacy training will still set you apart in interviews and assessment centres.

Managing Nerves and Expectations

Most law students feel nervous at the start of term, especially when others seem more confident. Remember: no one expects you to master everything right away. Understanding builds as you engage with the material.

And if you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to lean on support; tutors, careers advisers, mentoring schemes, and student communities like Speed Mooting are there to help.

Final Thoughts

The new academic year is your opportunity to reset and refocus. Reflect on what you’ve learned, set realistic goals, build strong habits, and step into opportunities that stretch and inspire you.

And if you want to boost your confidence, sharpen your advocacy, and meet a community of like-minded aspiring lawyers, check out what’s coming up at Speed Mooting.

Here’s to a year of progress, advocacy, and new beginnings.