Once upon a time there was a girl who decided to do something crazy and go to law school. Three long years have passed since she started her journey, and she successfully made it through the jungle that is law school. That’s right, I am done with law school FOREVER and I am officially a JD! To be perfectly honest, it is a crazy and weird feeling. I have been in school since I was 3 years old and now I never have to go back (if I don’t want to, of course!) I have always loved learning and law school was an exciting adventure for me. It was also one of the hardest things I have had to do in my life. Now that I am done with school and feeling sentimental, I have been looking back on my life at Wayne State and remembering the good ol’ times. These are my reflections on my law school journey and what I have learned along the way.
Looking Back on my 1st Year
When I go to the depths of the memories I have wished away, I can recall my first year of law school. I was so young, so afraid. To be honest, it’s quite hilarious how anxious and worried I was at the beginning of the year. I was so stressed out and concerned that I was going to fail out of law school. I thought I didn’t understand the law at all, and it was going to make me a terrible attorney. I feel that they make 1L classes purposefully confusing to get us to really think about the law. This makes sense because law is not black and white (if it was, attorneys would not be necessary!), instead law operates in the gray area. However, prior to law school, students are taught “facts” and that problems should have a definite answer (exception for the philosophical majors of course). When you are trying to learn difficult subjects on top of wrapping your brain around theory and hypotheticals, it is perfectly understandable that you would be overwhelmed! However, I persevered and survived my first year of law school.
Reflecting on My 2L Year
My second year of law school just doesn’t even seem real anymore. I remember the year, I remember what I did but I feel disassociated from the all the craziness that was 2L year (this is probably due to my post-grad/bar prep apathy). Comparatively, 2L year was way harder than 1L year. I guess it is more fair to say they were “hard in different ways.” 2L was very busy. You get first exposure to co-curriculars, leadership in clubs and organizations, and actually get to take classes you want to take! Most students begin working during this time as well. Personally, I started at my firm in the second semester of 1L year, but I was definitely the anomaly in my class. 2L year taught me a lot about time management and prioritization. I definitely feel like I will be a more organized and diligent attorney because of my 2L year.
The Final Frontier (3L Year)
My 3L year was surprisingly filled with new adventures and challenges. I thought that I had faced it all in law school and was now a seasoned professional. My present self now laughs at the ignorance that my past self had. My 3L year was a challenge to say the least. I was somehow busier than 2L year: I was in a clinic for the first time (and did it the entire year!), I was running the mock trial program and was on the executive board for the Journal of Law in Society, and still had all my jobs and activities on top a full load of classes!! I was (and to be honest, still am) exhausted by the end of the year. I even had to make resolutions for myself just to focus on finishing strong. I have to admit that I was not really great at meeting these resolutions either because I was so burnt out and definitely fell into a bit of a slump. However, I felt like my last year was a big rallying point for me and my classmates. My class has always been very civil with one another, and we try to encourage others to be their best selves. A new sense of comradery overtook our class this year. We were all facing the same obstacles and challenges and supported each other to keep going. It was a really great way to end my law school chapter.
Best Regards From a Law School Grad
Yes, technically my law school career is over. (Well I am still waiting on those final grades but you get the picture…) It is crazy that my journey through law school has ended, and I have checked a huge task off my to-do list. Throughout my years in the halls of Wayne State University Law School, I learned a great deal about myself, how to study, and what the “law” really is. However, just because I have my JD does not mean I am finished with my journey. I still have a lot left to learn and more skill developing to complete. I also still need to earn those “Esq.” letters. So while my law school adventures have come to a close, the next chapter of my life is now in full swing: bar exam prep. I am very nervous and excited to see where my journey takes me next, but I know I will have great stories to share along the way!!
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