It took me 5 years after law school to figure out the ideal practice area for me. Here are 5 mistakes I made and lessons you can learn from them.

I graduated from law school in 2016. Despite spending five years there, I had no idea which practice area to focus on when I graduated.?It took me five years after law school to find my groove and settle into a practice area that suits my skills.

I attribute this delayed realization to the mistakes I made in law school.

If I had an opportunity to re-start law school, this is what I would do to avoid repeating my mistakes:

Mistake 1: I didn't evaluate my skills and hone in on the ones I am most inclined towards.

Lesson learned:?Figure out what my natural aptitude is. Then double down on skills to build on that aptitude. This would help me choose a practice area best suited for those skills.

Mistake 2: I didn't build a strong bond with a mentor.

Lesson learned:?Seek out a mentor in my chosen practice area. Then I would build a rapport by shadowing them to learn every trick in the trade. I would also read the biographies of senior Indian lawyers to learn how they overcame their struggles as young lawyers.

Mistake 3: I didn't read enough books covering subjects beyond the law.

Lesson learned:?It's better to learn how to read bare acts, commentaries and judgments in a targeted way and then move on to other subjects. Philosophy to understand the origin of laws. Psychology to understand your client's actions. Microeconomics to understand how our world works. Business biographies to perceive problems from the perspective of the client. Podcasts and YouTube are other sources of endless free learning for the initiated.

Mistake 4: I didn't master the skill of exploiting software and technology.

Lesson learned: Learn how to use workflow and personal knowledge management software to gain leverage over my time. Almost every problem has a software-based solution. Finding the right software and tech tool can be a superpower in any lawyer's arsenal.

Mistake 5: I didn't write about my journey.

Lesson learned: Keep a journal to record all my experiences and what I've learned. Every week, I would read this journal to see if I was learning new things. If not, I would reassess my activities and start learning again.

What are today's law students doing to exploit their aptitude?