October 2026
As the finals season is approaching during my first semester at SU, it is crazy to think about how quickly the last few months have gone by. It feels like just yesterday I was finishing up my undergrad and preparing to move to the big city, wondering how in the world am I going to succeed in law school. Now, as the semester comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on how much has changed in my life in such a short time.
Moving from the small town of Yelm to Seattle was a significant adjustment. I had grown up going to Seahawks games and visiting my dad at work, but never had I thought about living here. Between navigating all by myself for the first time, settling into my shoebox apartment, and beginning law school, there were so many experiences that were new and exciting. At first, I feared these experiences, but now they have become a routine that I genuinely enjoy.
Academically, law school has been the biggest challenge, but also the most fun thing I could have imagined. From preparing briefs and participating in class discussions, I have quickly learned that studying law requires a vastly different approach to learning. You need to know the material prior to class to be able to learn the application of it, rather than being taught the material first, which puts a lot more pressure on your learning than in undergrad. Although the workload can be demanding, there is something incredibly rewarding about getting your “oh I get it” moment when sitting in a cramped study room with your friends.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of my first semester here has been all the connections I have made. You go to a new school thinking, “how in the world am I going to make friends,” and in my own world I did not think I even wanted to. But at orientation I met the most incredible group of people that I now talk to every day, which makes the transition to law school so much easier. From being surrounded by people who share the same ambitions as me, to going out to the Chieftain every Thursday night with my section, has been one of the highlights of my experience.
While there are challenges ahead, I am excited to continue to grow both personally and academically. Looking back, I can confidently say that choosing Seattle U Law was an important step toward the future that I hope to build for me and my family.