The Untold Side of Life at an NLU: Burnout, Isolation & the Never-Ending Race

Hey everyone. I’m currently in my third year at one of the National Law Universities. My qualifications are few if not much but getting straight to the point...I guess you could say I’m your average law school student... nothing extraordinary, nothing disastrous either. I’ve done six internships so far, won a few competitions here and there, and I’m managing a CGPA of around 7.9. But that number barely scratches the surface of what it’s like living this life every day.

Here’s the part people rarely talk about- the toll that NLUs can take on your mental and physical health. It’s not just the academics. It’s the environment. It's the system.

The semester always starts with anxiety about the CGPA, and ends with panic about internships. And in between? A blur of 9 to 5 classes (yes, like an actual corporate job), internal assessments, deadlines, society responsibilities, and the unrelenting fear of falling behind.

I just got back from my summer internship break, and instead of feeling recharged, I’m back to square one. In fact, worse. That familiar pit of negativity is back. I’ve been sick since I returned. Haven’t had a proper meal... just one a day, if that. My last glass of water was probably sometime last night. Haven’t stepped out of bed, mostly just lying around, too drained to move.

Tried reaching out to some peers to ask what I missed in the four days I was gone. No replies. Nothing. I get it... everyone's busy, but there's this toxic competitiveness that thrives here. People gatekeep class updates, internship opportunities, even basic academic resources. It’s not just stress anymore - it’s emotional isolation.

And this is what no one tells you about the NLUs when you're applying. We hear about the prestige, the debates, the moots, the job placements... but not about the everyday grind that chips away at your well-being.

No one tells you how easy it is to lose yourself here. How "resilience" becomes code for suppressing your burnout. How we glorify overworking and normalize loneliness. Or how an environment that was meant to shape the lawyers of tomorrow can leave you too tired to even drink water today.

Anyway, this is just me putting it out there in case someone else feels the same. You’re not alone. And if you're a fresher reading this, please don't lose yourself in the race. Drink some water. Eat. Talk to people who don't drain you. Be kind to yourself as this place rarely will.

If you've felt like this too, or have advice, or just want to share your experience.. I’d really like to hear it. Maybe it's time we talk more honestly about what this journey actually looks like.