It’s been a couple of weeks since Wake Forest Law’s graduation, and I can still hardly believe law school is over. I’m hoping to blog more this summer, so I figured I’d start here. This is mostly a life update post, with just a touch of reflection. 😀
During my first semester of law school, I wondered how I was going to make it for three years. I was working at a frenzied pace and didn’t know how long I could keep it up. I sometimes questioned if I was meant to be there and if law school was a good fit for me. I’m sure it didn’t help that, before starting law school, a lot of law students at the time/lawyers advised that law school was “so terrible” or to think twice about going.
This is probably cheesy, but I often think of the expression, “Every storm runs out of rain.” And in this case, it turned out to be true. Like so much in life, it got better. I learned how to work more efficiently and began to take more interesting (to me) classes. I also got to do some clinic work with small businesses, which I really loved.
I also started taking the advice of “run your own race” to heart. It’s hard sometimes to avoid falling into a comparison trap in law school when you’re taking all of the same classes as your peers during your first year, being graded on a steep curve, and interviewing for a lot of the same jobs as even close friends.
Once I became more confident in myself and my own methods of approaching law school, I began to relax and enjoy it so much more. And during my second year, I started dating Bryan, which pushed me to work as efficiently as possible so I could fully enjoy my study breaks with him. 😍
When COVID hit during the spring of my second year, all of my classes shifted to meeting remotely over Zoom. I missed seeing classmates in person and all of the unplanned interactions that we used to have. Like a lot of people (I imagine), I also struggled to know how to create community and maintain/grow a lot of my friendships during this time.
But there was a silver lining– I got to take my classes anywhere! Bryan and I have been dating long-distance, and COVID made it easier for both of us to visit each other, working from wherever we were for three semesters. Bryan has brought so much fun into my life, and I’m grateful we got to ride out much of law school and all of the pandemic together.
I’m also so grateful that despite everything that happened over the last three semesters of law school, my class got to graduate on time and in person, wearing masks.
One highlight from graduation weekend: I was sitting outside on my little apartment balcony when my parents pulled up for graduation weekend and got out of their car wearing these shirts. I couldn’t stop laughing. It was so funny and sweet.
Graduation weekend was fun, and it was also a little emotional and reflective for me. I wished I could go back and tell my worried first-year self what I know now– it’ll be ok! You’ll hit your stride. You’ll find a job you’re really excited about. You absolutely can do this. Mostly, though, I hope to carry this lesson forward to have confidence in what I take on in the future.
I headed to the beach with my family right after graduation (Emerald Isle, for any NC folks), and I barely opened my computer for a few days. It was lovely!
Now, it’s time to study for the bar exam. I’ll study all summer and then take the bar exam at the end of July.
In the fall, I’ll start my job in Raleigh. I’ll be working as a business law attorney at a firm where I interned last summer, and I’m really excited about this job. Everyone I’ve met at the firm is incredibly nice, helpful, and down-to-earth, and I know I’ll learn a ton.
I have a big break after the bar exam before I start working, and I plan to do some fun traveling. I’m sure I’ll post all about it on Instagram stories!
I have a post coming up about staying healthy in law school that I’ve been thinking about for a while, and I’m sure I’ll have some new recipes to share soon, too.
Thanks for following along, and if you ever have questions about law school, let me know in the comments, DM me on Instagram, or shoot me an email. I’d love to talk about it!
Proud of you 🥰
Thank you, Ris!!
You’re a rockstar! Love you!
Thanks, Caleb! Love you, too!!
Love this update!! So excited to see what comes next and maybe new recipes you’ll create during your study break?? Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Robyn!! Excited for what’s next, too 😀 And definitely, I’m looking forward to some cooking study breaks!
You are a rare gem with a most beautiful heart for God and others! We are so proud of you and are thankful for all the growth in your life these past 3 years 🙂
Thanks, Mom ❤️
WOW! Congratulations! It seems like you just began, so very happy for you. My son had just finished
Law school when you was beginning so I know the hard work and dedication it takes!
Thanks so much, Cyndi!! So lovely that you’ve followed along all of this time!
I would like to share your thoughts with seniors who are considering grad school of any kind. I am very proud of you, and I think showing your thoughts and experiences with others will be helpful. When you give it your all, you do deserve a reward before starting to work. Discipline to study might be the hardest part this summer. Keep on with the good fight! Love you. Gee
Nice perspective as you launch into the career you worked hard for! It was certainly not what you expected, but life is often not what we expect. God always has other plans! You adapted well. Glad Bryan gets to be a part of your story! Enjoy the adventures and recipe testing that lie ahead…as soon as the last bit of studying is over!
Thank you, Janis! God definitely has a lot of other plans 😀 And I’m so thankful to have Bryan in my life!
Thank you, Gee! Love you, too ❤️
Congratulations on graduating from law school. You have worked hard and deserve a break. Good luck on the bar!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words 😀
Congrats on completing your law school, I’ll definitely call you if I get into any legal problems….
Haha thanks, Nina!!
Congratulations, Liv!! It has been such a privilege following your journey from high school until now. What a woman! Enjoy this time 🙂
Thank you so much, Alison! Same to you, I remember reading all about your dorm workouts at BU!!! Congrats on your DPT!!
Congratulations on your DPT! slope game
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