Last Exam. Some Reflections.

Tomorrow is my last exam from 2-5. Computer Crime. I can't wait for it to be done and to have a champagne toast with my friends on the patio at 5:10. It will be the end of my official law school career. So I guess it's my last real day of law school. I can't help but reflect on the differences between where I am now and where I was at the beginning of law school.
At the beginning, I hated law school and didn't want to be there. Now, I...still hate law school and can't wait to get out of there. Alright, so that's not different. But I do feel like I have learned and grown. While I wouldn't claim to know "law" or be incredibly prepared to be a practicing attorney, I do feel like I acquired special skills that set me apart. As hokey as it sounds, a way of thinking. It involves no Kool-Aid, don't worry. My Civil Procedure Professor (also Separation of Powers professor) was totally right 1L year when he said that law school was about learning skills. And only some skills -  analytical skills. Others were completely ignored. My professor told me that some of the faculty of my school were brilliant minds, but couldn't interact with a client if a million dollars depended on it. Absolutely. That was the best advice I got. In order to succeed in law school, my professor told me, just to work hard and don't cut corners; work on developing the analytical skills. So that's what I did. I did my reading, briefed cases, went to class, and prepared diligently for finals. I learned how to do work every day, as silly as that might sound. Maybe for the first time in my life I challenged myself. And anyone who is going to law school and wants to succeed, I would give them my Civ Pro professor's advice. It's about skills. That's what you are working to learn and it requires hard work to succeed.

That's why 1L year was the worst. First year they scare you to death. Truth. I had no idea what to expect going into my first exams. No one did. It really was getting thrown into a pool without knowing how to swim. I maintain that first round of exams were a crap shoot. No one has any idea what the test will look like, what their answers should say, or how much they need to prepare. You do what you can and hope for the best. I think I was hoping for one A my first semester, which is sort of funny in retrospect. But after first exams, there's a steep learning curve. Now, in my sixth exams period, exams are still difficult. But I am no longer hoping for only one A. It's no longer a game of chance. But exams take a lot of work and I will be happy to dispense of them tomorrow. Except that other one, what's it called now? The bar? But that's a concern that can be put on hold for a couple of weeks.


For college, I was sad to leave though ultimately ready to move on. Now, I am excited to get out of law school and get on to practicing. The only trepidation I feel is my natural aversion to change and the fear that comes with having the label of professional student cast aside.
I had some great professors. I had some awful professors (Torts! I'm looking at you.). But mostly, I had decent professors.
I met some great people who will be friends for life. I met some people I wish I could un-meet. And I met tons of people I'm indifferent about.
I dealt with an administration that was awful. Uniformly awful. And that's why I can't wait to leave and never donate. My revenge.

Mostly, I am excited for my next step. I have a job that I am anxious to start. It's not my dream job, but I am very happy with it.  I won't get a student discount at the movie theater anymore. I won't be living on loans. I think I will officially qualify as an "adult." It's going to be nuts.

Wow, pretty reflective. Especially from a guy who would rather wrestle a bear than write a reflective essay for class. More anger and debauchery will come soon. Just remember, next week is Grad Week.