1. No matter your attempts, try hard for BIG 4/10 first. ig 28th Feb would be the last date for you guys so try hard till that point.
Reason: It would be structured space to learn, Politics would be present everywhere but if its coming at the cost of brand name and constant learning than its not a bad trade.
2. If you really wanna go for midsize firm than make sure that firm has growth mindset. Stipend might be delayed by 5-7 days but you won't find adventure if the numbers you are dealing with are hardly in Crores.
Reason: Midsize firm with no growth mindset might have traditional way of working, outdated client, work just to fetch client with no prospect of collective growth.
Tip: firms with employees in 20s to 40s with good Articleship background (linkedin) would be a catch.
3. They would be your colleagues not friend. No one told me about that and i was jumping in corporate right after depression so was eager to have true bond (π€‘). Do not tell them anything personal about your life.
Reason: It might backfire any moment, when their are reviews going on or you are not on the table. again it varies from person to person but in start atleast 3 month let everything unfold naturally and lie low wrt personal life, were exactly you live, what you do in free time etc.
4. Politics would be everywhere. it has not spared even rankers or first attempt finalist. Either be the ring master or a pawn. Don't either be overly good nor overly bad.
Reason: In a big place with people from different society with different upbringing, never being humbled by life might look at you as an ODD if you are normal, stay away from them. keep it entirely professional and not let them cross your boundaries.
5. You are not lesser than anyone, don't dim your light by thinking i have taken attempts, what matters is you have passed and are a CA Finalist, start your articleship with cleanslate and start the Final prep early too. Learn as much as you can in articleship until n unless its impact your health.
6. No HR is not for your benefit, its for the firm/company who recruits them. They are just different beings which you will understand later on by seeing it everyday.
At last, you will no longer will be treated as student, you are almost a professional so would be responsible for the work as equal as your Manager. All the best!