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Nine months ago I could not have imagined a fuller year than this past one. At times the course has tested all of us to the extreme, and then there have been some fabulous experiences that have made all of the effort worth while. Entering this fiercely competitive, baffling, yet thrilling profession has actually been quite exceptional.

As the course begins to draw to a close, I look back and see exactly what I have done this year. Luckily I have ten lever arch files to remind me.

The intensity rises as the year hurtles by and we are getting scarily near to final assessments. Indeed, we have already had some. To quote Stephen Fry - OMG. Thereafter, those of us lucky enough to have a pupillage (i.e. training) lined up will be off out into the big bad world representing people, telling people about the law and persuading people to believe that they are right.

As I am becoming used to the daily regime of school and work, I remember that actually just passing this course with a decent grade is not enough. Indeed anyone who has ever applied for pupillage or researched the application process knows this. I need to be fluent in over 6 languages, have work experience at the Royal Courts, have scholarships and prizes, be mooting champion of the world and be an exemplary person, all on top of an amazing degree. I exaggerate. Well, a little. You do need good grades but also show dedication to the law, and a keen interest in all things Bar-related. And this is what I’ve got to demonstrate. Excellent, I’ll just do that in my spare time then.

So I’ve been ‘BVC-ing’ for a few weeks now. Life has dramatically changed for me after my past three university years, which I now realise probably were the best years of my life. How depressing.

I had prepared myself for what I thought Bar School would be like; a competitive atmosphere, a hefty workload and a strict teaching approach. I’m happy to say that on the whole I was wrong, well on some counts anyway. The general atmosphere within class is supportive and friendly, and it must be said that so far the tutors have also been so.