My Education Is Coming To An End?

As we all know, I'm in my last year of law school and it has not been easy to say the least. I am very proud of myself and honestly, I have not always been comfortable saying that to myself. Throughout my education, I know that personally I have altered and grown. The things that seemed so magnificent or large no longer seem that way. My reactions are different, the things I care about are different, and the way I carry myself is different. 

If law school taught me one thing, it was how to parse out what stress I should take on and what stuff I shouldn't because it was either out of my control or not my business. Like what other people thought of me. That used to be such a weight on my shoulders and once I realized what others think of me is none of my business, I stressed less. My job is to worry about myself and making sure I achieve the things I want to. When you fall asleep at night you have to be okay with the person you are, you have to like yourself, as long as that occurs who cares what others gossip about. 

Another thing I have been thinking about lately is the transition from school and lectures to work. I wonder if that transition will be more difficult than I am currently pegging it to be. Which probably leads you to the next question of where am I going to work. Funny story, I don't know yet. But I know that I don't want to be a traditional lawyer. If I could go into regulatory compliance out the gate, I would be thrilled. Currently, that's all the jobs I have been applying to. And, I have been applying everywhere. I think I need to move and get out of the city that I have always been in. I think if I stay any longer, I'll be stuck for good. I believe that I would do well with a fresh start with fresh people. Now I have made some amazing friends, but I think for my growth, I need to get out. Right now, I have been applying to states in warmer climates. I'm unsure if I mentioned this before, but I have a condition called Cold Urticaria which actually makes me allergic to being cold. I get sick quite often and have breathing issues, but a warmer climate would minimize these symptoms. I'm constantly on a new dose of steroids or antibiotics and that really isn't good for the body. It's very scary, the idea of moving somewhere where I know no one, but I really believe it's necessary. I'll keep y'all updated on that project as time goes on.

But, before moving, I need to take the bar exam. The last step of my education. The bar prep period lasts ten weeks and is wildly intensive. I will be studying for 9 hours a day, every day until July 28-29. This will be the most nerve wrecked I will have ever been. The two-day exam covers something like eleven subjects and places incredible time pressure. I know this summer is going to be rough, so lately me and my very good friend have been kind of going wild on the weekends to get it out of our system now. 

I think the combined pressure of graduation, finals, turning in papers, bar prep, the bar exam, and the uncertainty of what comes after is really freaking me out. So going out has been a great distraction. Last weekend we went to Pittsburgh during the draft and met some friends of a friend. Safe to say it was an interesting trip. We ended up getting there and having to walk with all our stuff to the apartment which was full of people and a way away. It was actually a really cool way to see the city. The apartment we stayed in was right above this bar and the one night 2 Chainz performed so we got to watch from the balcony. Another night, we went to this bar called Tequila Cowboy and I danced on every elevated surface there was. I was asked to go a hurricane shot on one of our new friends, which was hilarious and questionable. And we went for the fifth-round picks of the draft! Super cool experience. Other weekends my friends and I have gone out locally, both nights of the weekend. This weekend, I think we're going to do boozy bingo, God help us. 

We know that we won't get a summer, so I think we're all trying to do it now. Maybe that's crazy or a bad idea, but I think it will be worthwhile. If anyone has taken the bar, any tips are greatly appreciated. 

With love and lightheartedness,

Cici