I somehow survived my second year of law school, too, without much struggle. Academically I was getting a hold of the upcoming law subjects. The other Social Science related subjects seemed like a cakewalk because I had studied them in class 11 and 12th! (The benefit of planning a little prior the stint).
My college life was on point! Binge-watching shows and hogging on endless junk because who eats hostel food anyway? Sleeping in the class, doodling behind the notebook, trying to complete the 75% attendance thing (although I had 100% attendance in the 3rd semester, something changed in the 4th sem), and with the little time I had left – trying to finish studying the subjects before exams hit me.
I always finished studying subjects, made notes, and everything else that a 'nerd' would do, two weeks before exams. This way, I used to be the calmest during exams! Nothing would bother me, I would watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S all day long, even when I'd have an exam the next day. I was this organized in my life.
Amidst my gala time that I was having, my batch mates were hustling for a good CV. Many of them even got to be a part of some elite organizations as editors, researchers, and I was nowhere close to them. Things like these did pinch me in between, but then I thought I should wait for the perfect moment that came my way!
The result of this? That very opportunity I was seeking for never really came. I wasn't doing anything for it, so why would I be bestowed with a random chance? I was not hustling, not even the one-forth of what my batch bates were doing.
As time passed by, the same people got more feathers in their hats, and I wasn't any behind either, let me tell you this! I completed the whole series of FRIENDS for about 7 times till then. Everything is an achievement if you believe it to be as one, isn't it?
But my contentment was zero even after my fantastic feat because I knew this wouldn't matter in the long run. I started to find opportunities and started applying for the same. Rejections were all I got, but I did not stop. It was by far the most intelligent thing I had done in my second year, after watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S, haha!
I kept on applying and following up because I thought I could be an editor, a researcher, an executive assistant, a legal assistant, a campus ambassador, a writer – ANYTHING because I wanted to be one.
This hustle that I started ended up with an opportunity, the opportunity which was way better than the position I was rejected for, by the very same organization. I applied for the position of Student Editor initially, but I did not get selected. I didn't give up and applied for the post of Executive Assistant in the very same place; things favored me. I was on probation for a couple of days, and they carefully scrutinized my work and I made it.
I was the Executive Assistant of a legal publication house. I was ecstatic and happy because I came above my laziness and did something productive for once after a real long time. It was a feather in my hat, a beautiful feather, I'd say.
Soon, I was working, and I was happy. Classes ending for the day did not mean sleeping or watching shows anymore. It now had meaning. I had more to contribute to this fantastic legal house I was working in. Everything was virtual, so there was a lot of online work to do, and that distracted me from starting to watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S again for the eighth time back then.
I focused a lot on making my work perfect, and I could proudly think of myself as a productive law student. I soon started networking with like-minded people in this organization. The C.E.O. of this place was the best person to go for advice and information on what I could do next. It was because of his encouragement that I completed my tasks on time, and every time he had something more encouraging to say for my work. Things were quite smooth, academically, and professionally!
To top it all, my best friend-roommate-classmate was my colleague in the very same place, so things couldn't have gotten better! Both of us used to come back from college and get started with our work. So there was a transition that took place, and from watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S together, we started working on our C.V.s, started working for our betterment.
My sudden jostle to make things change was what worked for me. Since I was a part of a professional network, it was suggested to me that I make a profile on LinkedIn, a platform that is known for professional networking. I was a novice in networking, so I had no idea how you were supposed to utilize this platform.
But without thinking about it, I made my profile. My profile picture was a very standard phone clicked selfie (not professional, I know, but as I said, I had no idea what I was doing here.) The profile was elementary, with just my school and college details on it. I thought this was it and did not open my profile unless I was asked to do it for a task.
My connections were just 5, including the C.E.O. of the legal media house I was working in, my dad, and about three more friends who were as clueless as I was about it.
Professionally I was acing my game, but academically, I was in a confusing place. By the end of four semesters, my peers had done moot courts, written research papers, took part in debates and MUNs, but I hadn't done any of it YET, in law school. Pressure persisted, but I had to do things on my own pace.
With this, my second year ended. As easy as I thought my second year would go, it started off smooth but with a few bumps, I somehow made it through four semesters of law school.
Talking about if there were any firsts in the second year, of course, there were! My first official email id of the workplace, my first "GOOD JOB BHAVYA" comment by the C.E.O., my first ever job I'd say, the first time I realized what it was to be rejected by places, the first time I faced my inner conflict. Rounding off, these were all sweet firsts and a fruitful second year.
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