October 2024
With the fall semester slowly coming to an end, I realize that I have a long journey ahead. When I started law school in June 2024, I wasn’t sure what to expect. At that time, I was living in New Jersey and working as a paralegal in a law firm in New York. However, the faculty at Seattle U ensured that my experience was seamless. Once I moved to Seattle, I was excited to be on campus. The transition from working full-time to becoming a student full-time has not been easy. As a full-time employee, I would complete my responsibilities from 9 to 5 and have time for my hobbies. Now as a full-time student, I barely have time for my hobbies and I’m going to sleep around 3 a.m. Needless to say, I am somewhat enjoying my law school experience. Personally, I think I’m not enjoying law school like my classmates because I’m not taking the classes I’m passionate about. However, I like seeing my progression from the beginning of the semester to the midpoint of the semester. I find it cool that I can understand criminal cases on TikTok or Instagram better now that I'm in law school.
Even though I barely know what’s going on in some of my classes, I’m not worried because I’m not the only one that feels this way. The nice part about law school is that everyone is feeling the same thing. We are all trying to figure out how to tailor our study methods, have a social life, and prioritize self-care. To be honest, I’m ready for the semester to end so I can travel and catch up on sleep.
As I reflect on my law school journey thus far, I hope to have leadership roles and responsibilities in the future. Currently, I’m not very active in student organizations because I want to focus on my studies. By having more leadership roles, I can continue to build my professional network and meet new people. Right now, I’m trying to survive the fall semester. Stay tuned!
December 2024
I can hardly believe it’s the end of the semester already. It feels like just yesterday I was sitting in orientation, nervously meeting my new classmates. Back then, we were all strangers, awkwardly sizing each other up—some of us keeping to ourselves, others already forming their tight-knit groups. Now, here we are, on the brink of finals, and the transition from strangers to study partners has been nothing short of surreal.
Fall semester was a whirlwind. Five classes, each with its own set of challenges and demands. Four of them, in particular, were equally intense. There were days when I genuinely wondered how I was going to keep up with reading over eight cases a night, briefing them, and piecing together my outlines, all while trying to grasp interconnected concepts that build on one another. Missing one concept made it even harder to stay on track. To say it was overwhelming would be an understatement. And then there were the cold calls. At first, I dreaded them with every fiber of my being. I’d break out in a cold sweat every time the professor’s eyes scanned the room and landed on me. But somewhere along the way, I started to get used to it, even though I still hated it. It's funny how something so terrifying becomes a little less terrifying after you've faced it enough times.
Despite the intensity, I can honestly say I enjoyed all of my professors. They’re brilliant, yes, but they also bring a kind of humor and engagement that I didn’t expect. Their ability to make even the most complex legal concepts feel accessible—and occasionally hilarious—made the long nights of studying feel a little more bearable. This semester has been the first time in my academic life that I’ve felt sad to see it end. There’s something about the energy of the classroom, the push to keep learning and improving, that has made it so special.
Looking back on the semester, I’m proud of how far my classmates and I have come. At the beginning of the term, we were complete novices when it came to subjects like torts, civil procedure, and contracts. Now, we’re familiar with the basic concepts, we know how to structure a legal brief, and we’re starting to develop our own voices as future attorneys. There’s something incredibly satisfying about realizing how much we’ve learned in such a short time.
Next semester is going to be interesting. Our section is merging with another, which means a whole new set of faces, a new dynamic. We’ve gotten so used to each other’s quirks and study habits that the thought of mixing things up feels a little strange. I’m not going to lie—I’ll miss my classmates, even the ones who always ask the most outlandish hypothetical questions in class. I’ve grown to appreciate their enthusiasm, only because it adds a little extra unpredictability to the day.
Law school is tough. There’s no denying that. But it’s also totally doable. The keys are leaning on your support system, finding strategies to manage stress, and if you believe in God, asking for the strength to keep pushing through. I’ve done the work this semester, and while I’m nervous about finals, I know that I’ve given it my all. I trust that with focus, determination, and a little divine help, I can finish strong.
Once finals are over, I’m looking forward to some time away and much-needed rest. I’ll be heading back to New Jersey to spend Christmas with my mom, then treating myself to a well-deserved vacation in Indonesia. It feels like the perfect way to recharge before diving into another semester of law school madness.
Two semesters down, five more to go. Let’s do this.
February 2025
Winter break has officially come to an end, and we are back in full swing for another semester of law school.
Over the break, I had the chance to go home to New Jersey and spend Christmas with my mom, which was a much-needed reset. I also made a quick trip to New York City, where I indulged in some amazing food (because what’s a trip to NYC without a food tour?). But the highlight of my break was my trip to Indonesia. Despite the grueling 17-hour flight, it was absolutely worth it. The hospitality of the people, the rich flavors of the cuisine, and the breathtaking nature left me in awe. It was an unforgettable experience—one I hope to repeat in the future.
Now, I’m back in Seattle and ready to tackle the semester. Thankfully, I’m taking four classes instead of five since I got criminal law out of the way over the summer. It makes a difference because, while I still have plenty of reading to do, my workload is lighter compared to classmates who didn’t take the summer course. This semester, my schedule includes Property Law and Constitutional Law. If I’m being honest, I don’t love the subjects, but it’s not the professors’ fault—it’s just that these topics don’t align with my career goals. That said, I do find it fascinating to see how the law has evolved in these areas and how the concepts influence our legal system today.
Beyond coursework, my main focus right now is securing a summer internship. I’m casting a wide net—applying not just to legal counsel positions, but also to roles in compliance, risk management, and finance. Hopefully, by my next entry, I’ll have good news about where I’ll be spending my summer. Until then, my priorities are staying on top of my readings, practicing more exam questions before midterms, prioritizing self-care, and making time for friends. Balancing everything isn’t easy, but law school is a marathon, not a sprint.
Here’s to another semester—let’s make it a good one!
May 2025
Finally, the end of the 1L year is here. And honestly? I’m so relieved. I miss having free time to do what I want without feeling guilty for not studying. One of the biggest takeaways from 1L year? I see myself using my JD in non-traditional ways, particularly in Finance. Looking ahead, I’m genuinely excited for my 2L courses. They’re focused on business and finance; areas that align with my background and what I’m truly passionate about. Hopefully, this means I’ll be more engaged in class. Then again, it is law school, so we’ll see.
This semester was better than the last. I made more use of office hours, got feedback from my professors, and started asking more questions. It made a difference. Last semester, I was running on fumes and barely sleeping. This time around, I finally prioritized rest and created some structure in my schedule. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m going into 2L year more confident, not just in my ability to handle the coursework, but to carve out time for myself, too.
This summer, I will be participating in the Immigrant Youth Pro Bono Externship Program in partnership with Kids in Need of Defense. To be real, I was disappointed by how the internship process turned out. One thing that’s become painfully clear to me is that while the legal field might say it values students with diverse backgrounds, it doesn’t reward them. The system often favors a narrow, cookie-cutter version of a law student, overlooking the valuable skills and perspectives that students from diverse backgrounds bring. From a business perspective, that’s a missed opportunity because innovation, adaptability, and real-world insight doesn’t come from uniformity. And when those students feel overlooked or boxed out, many will leave the profession altogether, creating an even bigger gap in access to meaningful, representative legal services.
That said, I’m still grateful for the opportunity to work on cases supporting immigrant youth, especially as federal funding cuts continue to impact access to legal representation. As a child of immigrants myself, this work hits close to home. Alongside the externship, I’ll also be taking Business Entities this summer, which I’m looking forward to. It feels good to return to a subject area that reflects my strengths and interests. In many ways, it feels like I’m finally getting back to me.
Remember when I said I wanted to take on leadership roles? Well, I’m proud to share that I’ll be serving as the President of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) for the 2025–2026 academic year! I’m honored to take on this position with a clear vision and a lot of ideas I hope to bring to life. My goal is to help make the year not just impactful, but also fun and fulfilling for Black students at Seattle U. I want to focus on building community, expanding professional opportunities, and creating events that reflect who we are and what we need.
It’s wild to think about how far I’ve come since day one. 1L year pushed me in ways I didn’t expect; it challenged my mindset, tested my stamina, and forced me to redefine success for myself. And as hard as it’s been, I’m walking into this next academic year with more clarity, more confidence, and a stronger sense of purpose.
