Top tips for surviving the BVC

So the BVC is nearly over and all I can say is that it’s has been a hell of a year!  I feel that despite all of the criticism that the BVC receives from those who think that it’s a waste of time, it has been worthwhile.  I certainly feel far more prepared for pupillage than I did this time last year.

Now that I have (almost) completed the BVC I think that it may be useful to give my top five hints for those who will be part of the next gang of BVC’ers:

1. MOOT!  It’s the nearest that you will get to actually getting off your bum and on your feet and getting your teeth stuck into arguing some difficult law.  The final at the BPP Leeds mooting competition was held at the Crown Court, and this was a great opportunity (although nerve-wracking too).The sense of satisfaction after winning a moot will make you realise why you want to be a barrister!
2. Get yourself down to a court and see how the big boys do it.
3. Consider all of the doom and gloom statistics about the slim chances of succeeding as a barrister…make an informed decision of whether you want to go for it…then lock away those statistics in a little corner in your head and stay positive!  If you don’t think that you can make it, why will someone else? 
4. Keep organised – I know it’s an obvious one – but the BVC is really top heavy so for the first term you need to keep on top of things from the beginning.
5. Say “yes yes yes” whenever you can!  Volunteer in legal advice clinics, do mock trial competitions, go to local schools to do Streetlaw, attend schmoozing events and speak to people.  It’s tough to get a pupillage so get the best CV that you can.

I have my second interview coming up; I’ll let you know whether my top five hints are worth the paper/screen they are written on. Wish me luck!