Come on guys read his question before you come up with the usual smart arse answers about where the PIC can sit. He asked specifically about being a student pilot. The correct answer is a STUDENT pilot can only log time if he is receiving instruction, either with an instructor on board or SOLO on consolidation. The student will generally sit in the LHS for this.
We all know we can put any tom, dick or harry in the LHS and fly as PIC from the RHS as long as the POH does not preclude it.