As I begin my last year of law school, I can hardly believe how quickly the time has flown by. The past two years have been a whirlwind of long nights, intense study sessions, and moments of uncertainty about what the future holds. Now, with graduation in sight and a new career on the horizon, it feels like this year is going to go by faster than ever.
The start of this year brings with it a mix of excitement for what’s next and reflection on the security of what I will be leaving behind. Student life can be stressful, but it’s a unique experience in knowing exactly what you’ll be doing for the next several years. There is comfort in that. It’s also a treat to be with a group of individuals who are all at the beginning of something new and who all have significant freedom to decide where to go next. Despite the fact that my peers and I are all studying law, I am always impressed with the great variety of things everyone is doing.
What strikes me most is how different this year feels from the first two. It’s no longer about just trying to keep up or getting by. I’m able to use the skills I’ve developed over the last two years and can spend time with the areas of law that resonate with me the most. I have been able to enroll in the courses I think will most align with the work I want to do in the future. Sometimes, confidently knowing what area of law I want to practice evades me, but that’s the beauty of having the ability to choose all my courses in 3L. Time to do a last sweep of options!
After summer work this year, I’ve also come to realize the importance of connections and mentorship. In the early years of law school, it’s easy to feel like you’re on your own, navigating a complex system by yourself. But now, as I approach the end of this era, I’ve learned the value of building relationships with professors, my peers, and the other legal professionals I’ve met along the way. The importance of networking is something we’re told about right from the start of 1L, but I’m only now really recognizing that the networks I’m developing will play an essential role in my future. One of my main goals this year is to nurture these relationships and build a strong professional network that will support me long after graduation.
Law school has been challenging so far, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. Now, with the end in sight, I’m determined to make the most of this last year, finish strong, and take the final steps toward becoming the lawyer I’ve worked so hard to become. Entering my last year has a sense of finality but also of new beginnings – I’ll save thinking about writing the bar until the start of second semester!
Happy start to the year!
S.