October 2025
As I near the end of my first semester of law school and the specter of finals grows closer, I find myself reflecting on where I was just a few months ago. At that time, I was still in the Army, managing that with a full-time job making coffee, and anxiously awaiting admissions decisions. When classes get difficult, it helps me to remind myself that this is what I was dreaming of during those days.
Moving to Seattle from Denver was intimidating for both me and my fiancé. We had never lived anywhere else before, and I had never even visited Seattle prior to moving. The transition involved adapting to a new environment with unfamiliar streets and features. To make our new city home, we adopted a kitten together, which has greatly improved my morale in between classes.
Although the classes are challenging, I thoroughly enjoy them. Midterms are currently going on, and although they are hard, it is rewarding to see tangible growth in my legal knowledge. Professor Endo's Civil Procedure class has quickly become my favorite; his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject have deepened my appreciation for legal studies.
The true joy of this semester, however, has been getting to know my classmates and building connections with them. My classmates' dedication and intellect are both motivating and inspiring. Collaborating during study sessions, attending events together, and watching one of them be elected as our section representative have made me feel a part of a community in a way I have not felt before.
Looking back on these first months, I'm struck by how much I've grown both academically and personally. The challenges of law school, the move to a new city, and building a new community have all pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways. I'm grateful for the experiences, relationships, and small joys, like my kitten. Even with the long nights of outlining and studying, I am constantly reminded that this is where I am meant to be.
December 2025
It's hard to believe I'm already on the edge of finals. The semester moved faster than I expected, and this week marked my last round of substantive classes.
A couple of months ago, the material in my courses felt overwhelming. Everything was new and intimidating. Now, as I shift into full studying and memorization mode, I can see how far I've come. I understand the subjects more deeply, and even though I'm stressed about finals, I'm also surprised by how much of the coursework has actually stuck. It hasn't been very long, but I can already tell I'll look back on this stretch of time with some nostalgia. I genuinely enjoyed these classes and the professors who taught them, and there's a part of me that is sad knowing I will not be taking them again.
At the same time, this transition into finals season also signals the start of internship and externship applications. It's another reminder that each phase of school leads directly into the next. As much as I'm preparing for exams, I'm also thinking about what my next experience will look like, and how these opportunities will shape my life and career.
Jan 2026
I am now in my second semester of law school, and it genuinely feels like I've entered the best part of the experience. I made it through my first finals, which gave me a level of confidence I didn't expect and a sense that I belong here. The workload feels demanding but manageable, and I feel more grounded in how I approach reading, briefing, and studying.
Over break, I was finally able to go home since moving out here. For the first time in my life, I felt homesick in my childhood home, and I missed Seattle more than I anticipated. Being back home reminded me how much law school has already reshaped the way I see myself and the world.
Second semester is the one I had circled from the beginning. I'm now taking Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Property, and Criminal Law has already captured my attention just two weeks in. Whereas the first semester dealt with transactions and procedural issues, the classes in this semester raise questions about morality, responsibility, and the foundation that our legal system is built on. I find myself reflecting more on the material outside of class, not even out of obligation but out of genuine curiosity.
Finally, this semester also brings the process of applying for summer internships and experiences. We are now in the midst of applications and interviews, beginning to think seriously about how we want to spend our first summer as law students and what kind of lawyers we hope to become.
As the semester continues, I feel both challenged and energized by what lies ahead. The coursework, the application process, and the distance from home have all pushed me to grow in ways I did not anticipate. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, I feel prepared to take on what comes next.
