Mock Trial has been a huge part of my junior year of college. My school just started up a team this year and I have been super involved in the team since it began in the fall. While it is a very fun activity it has taught me a lot of important life lessons in the few months that I have been doing it. Here are the life-changing lessons I have learned by being on my team.

1. Thinking outside of the box

In Mock Trial, you get a court case and you have to create a theory and a case for prosecution and defense. This requires a lot of thinking outside of the box. You want to create a strong theory that is held up by the evidence you are given but you also want to stand out in competition against the other teams.

This leads to a lot of brainstorming and ideas that seems so out there but in the end, you really learn how to be creative but practical to come up with an idea that is concrete but yet original.

2. Court proceedings

As someone who wants to be an attorney one day this one is huge for me. Mock Trial has taught me a lot about courtroom etiquette and how to address the opposing counsel and the judges. This will make future professional endeavors seem like a piece of cake!

3. Communication

Communication is huge in Mock Trial. Not only do you have to communicate with your team properly to create your case theory but you also have to be able to effectively communicate your ideas to the opposing team and the judges. The judges can be either very familiar with the case or have just read it that day so communication is a huge part here because you have no idea how familiar the person reviewing your performance is with the case.

4. Dressing professionally

For Mock Trial, you have to wear suits. This has taught me a lot about what it means to dress professionally from the clothes I wear to my hair and makeup, and all the way down to my shoes.

5. Thinking on my feet

In Mock Trial, you don't know what you will hear from the other team usually till the day of the competition. This requires you to listen carefully and come up with some material on the spot. This requires thinking on your feet and has helped me be able to learn how to come up with quick solutions without much preparation or planning.

6. Keeping your cool

As stated before you never know what is going to happen during the competition so keeping your cool is super important. Sometimes an objection will not go in your favor, you'll forget a question or your witness will be argumentative and unresponsive. Despite all this, you have to remain calm and professional.

Mock Trial has been a super great way to make connections and keep busy but at the end of the day, these life lessons that I can carry with me the rest of my life are what in the end will impact me the most.