I remember I got 69.75% in my first year – I was fuming and so angry with myself so I can sympathise with you. You certainly are hard on yourself which I guess is a good thing - it shows you are determined and that element of self doubt will keep you motivated although it could send you to the point of insanity. You do need to be hard on yourself if you’re going to get what you want. Don't be disappointed with yourself by your first year it is still an excellent mark. If you are looking for vacation schemes and commercial law they are looking for high 2.1s so you'll be fine, no damage is done. That being said you must have excellent a level results, work experience, a commercial head on you to be considered – it is very competitive and just getting a first is not enough but a good step in the right direction. Make sure you apply to lots and lots of vacation scheme and training contracts. As well as extra curricular stuff – no recruiter likes a bore with there head in books all the time. Be an interesting person – they are looking for a work hard, play hard mentality.
Your first year of your law degree was about familiarising yourself with law, building a foundation of writing skills and generally settling into the degree. Getting a high 2.1 shows your certainly on the way to getting a first. You can and you will improve in your second and third years. In the first year it appeared to me that it was all about stating and describing the law. But it your second year they want you to be analytical and in your third critical evaluation.
As for a recipe for a first I'm not sure there is a guaranteed way but there are plenty of things you can do. I got my first and it feels amazing because of all that work I did finally got somewhere. Some people can naturally bash out a first in an exam with very little effort but others just haven’t got it and really do have to work at it (I was the one who seriously had to work for it). But if you want to get a first I suggest:
1. Hone in on your essay skills - look at your university's marking criteria - go the extra mile with your essay’s this will impress, remembering anything above 85 is rare so aim for 90, utilise your word limit, get critical and analytical in your second year and by your third year you will be a legal wizard. It is essential you use journal articles and use quotations effectively for your arguments – have a look at legal writing books if you’re not too sure.
2. Build up an amazing set of notes – lots of reading in there including journal articles, critical arguments of the law. Use these as your revision notes and you’ll feel less stressed and able to concentrate knowing you have an amazing set of notes behind you.
3. Learn how to read cases, journal and books quickly (i.e. for case read within 15 minutes get to the ratio and actually discussion) and gain a thorough understanding of all the arguments in your own words – by that I mean look at how they have effect the law and what are the practical implications, compare cases and synthesise the law.
4. Be wary in your second year of equity and trusts – this is notoriously a difficult module, with students getting bad marks. Make sure you master that one because you could get blinding results for your 2nd year and have equity ruin it all for you.
5. In exams don't waste time describing the law too much - focus on the discussion and understand what they are asking you in the exam. Think to yourself it is a point per case, or a point per sentence so make sure milk it and develop your discussions. Learn how to write very very quickly and very concisely quality arguments - it sounds simple but the more you can write, the thorough you are.
5. Critically evaluate yourself – think about your weaknesses and your strength and what can you do. You need to do this now so you improve in your third year. You sound like you’ve done all the things I have suggested and doing the things you should be doing to get a first but there must be something missing. Practice exam papers, give them to lecturers and ask them to tear it apart and show you were you’re going wrong and where you’re going right. It is often case you can know it all till your blue in the face but if you don’t use your knowledge effectively what you write on your exam paper is nothing.
6. Maintain a positive and dedicated attitude to it.
I hope I haven’t scared you too much but all the best for the future.