My advice, for what it is worth, is as follows:
1. DO NOT fall into the trap of believing that your first year marks do not matter because they do not count towards your degree classification. You should be aiming to get the best marks you possibly can from day one. There are two good reasons for this. Firstly, if you fall into the above-mentioned trap and treat the first year as just a bit of fun, you will find it so much harder to get the higher marks in subsequent years. Secondly, there are hundreds of applications for every vacancy in the law. Many law firms will not even read the rest of your application if you have not achieved a 1st or a 2.1. That will still leave them too many applicants so what many firms then do is to recalculate your degree classification taking your first year marks into account. If your first year marks drag you down from a 2.1 to a 2.2, your application is binned.
2. DO as many vacation placements and / or mini-pupillages as you possibly can to demonstrate an interest in the law. Get a range of experience. In other words, your ambition may be to become a criminal lawyer, but get experience of other areas of law too.
3. DO get yourself involved in clubs and societies. In particular, join the mooting and / or debating societies. Alternatively, join the drama society. Being able to speak in public is a key skill. Ideally, get yourself elected to positions within them so that you can use the experiences in applications and interviews.
4. DO NOT forget that law firms are looking for well-rounded individuals, so it is just as important to become an active member of sports clubs or social clubs as it is to join those that enhance your transferable skills.
5. If your university has a law fair, go to it and start networking with the representatives of the law firms that attend. I know from experience that if you make a good impression at the law fair, they will remember you. That must help to improve your chances when you apply to their firm (all else being equal).
