Halfway Done With My Last Year – 3L Perspective

I blinked and suddenly the semester was over. Well, maybe that isn’t exactly how it happened, but I feel like November was just beginning a day ago. The second half of the semester went by so quickly because there was SO MUCH GOING ON. Even now that I am done with exams and on break, I am still extremely busy. The tragic life of a overwhelmed 3L. Here are some of my reflections on where I am being halfway done with my last year of law school and where my journey will lead me next.

Finishing the Semester

As you may be aware, my semester has been a bit crazy. I have taken on WAY too much but somehow managed to finish strong and not be completely burnt out. As if it was a tradition, everything comes to a head at the end of the semester: law school (duh), work, extra-curriculars, and life. The last few weeks of this semester were challenging to say the least. I took the MPRE and successfully passed. I had a mock motion for summary disposition oral argument. I had numerous meetings, deadlines, and assignments to be finished. However, I buckled down and worked hard in order to stay focused and on top of the madness that is my life. 

Exams

Before I knew it, I was preparing for exams. Fortunately, I only had two exams. My first exam was a full trial in a county circuit court against two other teams, one of which was from a different law school (a T-14 school at that). My fiance agreed to be my witness and our lives were centered around preparing for this trial at the end of November. After I was finished, I felt relieved and absolutely exhausted. My other exam was professional responsibility and was a traditional, multiple-choice exam. Since I had taken the MPRE prior to the exam, I felt more comfortable with the subject matter. However, I still needed to study since my exam focused on the Michigan rules as opposed to the model rules. I turned in my answer sheet, and I successfully survived another exam period.           

Job Security

Ever since classes ended, I have been working as much as I possibly can. I have been at the same personal injury law firm since my 1L year of law school. It is a smaller medium-sized firm that deals primarily with Michigan no-fault law, premises claims, negligence, and social security applications and appeals. Since my second semester of law school, I have been working at the firm part-time as a law clerk during the semester and full-time during summers and breaks. Although my title is technically “law clerk,” I serve more as a summer associate or student attorney. I have learned so much and have a pretty good understanding of what life after law school will look like. The attorneys have acted as my mentors and have been rooting me on throughout law school, and I have really enjoyed being part of the team. Fortunately, I have received my formal offer of employment following graduation from my firm and cannot wait to develop my career further.

Next Semester and Next Steps

With all the excitement being halfway done with my last year of law school and the holidays, it can be difficult to remember that I still have one semester left and that it is rapidly approaching. With that, I have SO much to do and my break is almost over. I still have plenty to prepare for next semester’s mock trial competition. As the commissioner, I have to get the accounts and emails together for the  Journal of Law and Society, I need to finalize my schedule for my Lexis hours, and I need to finish working on a complaint for a client in the disability clinic (because I decided to be crazy busy and do the advanced clinic). Not to mention that I wanted to have my bar application finished (or at least started!!!) before I went back to school. And of course, since I saw family over the holidays, everyone is asking about wedding preparations and excited about my upcoming graduation. I know at the end of the day, I will get everything done like I always do. However, it is safe to say that I am a little stressed out right now.

Where Did the Time Go?

Somehow I am supposed to start my last semester of law school (and really school of any kind) in a few weeks. Soon, I will be walking up to the stage at the Detroit Opera House and will graduate law school. And then, I will be faced with the most stressful and challenging time of my life as I prepare for the bar exam. Even though this semester was busy and overwhelming, I have kept myself focused on the end goal. I am looking forward to what next semester has in store for me and cannot believe that this is my last! It was only yesterday that I was a young 1L starting my crazy law school adventure. And now, time has flown and this chapter is nearing its end. I am actually really excited for what is to come in the coming months and soon I will be that much closer to becoming a lawyer. Although I am halfway through my last year of law school, and I still have more challenges ahead, I know I will make it through!!