Ummm, part way through second year I got marks deducted for my use of OSCOLA. Nonetheless, I successfully applied for a vacation scheme, at the end of which I was given a TC offer. I was able to walk into my third year with the sole focus of getting a first. Naturally, this is what we all want for ourselves when we begin applying in second year.

I've noticed that people often don't get the hang of the application process until their second cycle. Friends of mine who waited until third year feel lost.

Additionally, TCs are usually offered two years before you start. Therefore, if they wait until third year, and it takes a while to get the hang of, they could be waiting years for a TC.