Reflections on Law School from an Already-Nostalgic 3L
My friends tell me that I am the only person whom they have heard utter the following refrain: I am devastated that law school is almost over.
I know, I know. A job will allow me to pay off my debt (of course, if I stay in school forever, I can continue to accrue debt I never have to pay off), and I have been working towards becoming a lawyer, not the ghost of Gowlings Hall. But as I think back to the time I have spent in that hallway, holding court with Osgoode royalty and jesters alike, I cannot help but feel nostalgic, and even sad, now that this magical time is coming to a close.
I have looked into law school victory laps, but have been told that they are frowned upon, and an LLM is simply not the same.
I will not miss writing exams or being ranked. I will not miss the acute imposter syndrome (though I am almost certain it will follow me into practice). And I will not lament leaving York’s brutalist architecture behind. But I will miss the people, the endless opportunities to learn and contribute, and the love of learning shared by my professors and classmates (whether or not the latter freely admit to it). And frankly, I don’t know how I’m going to deal with Septembers now that I will never have another first day of school.
I always dreamed of coming to law school. I fantasized about my first day the way that rom-com protagonists fantasize about their wedding day. I couldn’t wait to get here, though I certainly did not think that getting here was a sure thing. Despite the late nights and arduous toil, it has been everything I hoped it would be and so much more.
I am so proud to be even a miniscule part of this institution’s history. I feel incredibly fortunate to have passed through these doors, walked these halls, and sat in these classrooms. I have met incredibly gifted, interesting, and accomplished people who have exposed me to ideas and perspectives that I may not have otherwise been exposed to. I had the opportunity to delve deeper into topics that piqued my interest (thank you, Justices Greene and Crosbie) and confront topics which intimidated me (many thanks to Prof. Waitzer). My inner nerd has been nurtured and, while the red marking pen may have been like a machete hacking away at my sense of self-worth, comfort and strength could always be found with Gayle, Nicola, and Nadia and Mary on the third floor. I found role models in my professors and classmates alike and learned a great deal from both. Here I found knowledge, skills, and empowerment. What more could a girl ask for?
I know that most 3Ls have one foot out the door already, and most 1Ls and 2Ls envy us, but if your eyes aren’t misty yet, consider this: where else will you have the opportunity to wax judicial on the finer points of privity of contract over a cold beer? Discussing evidentiary burdens with your favourite people may not happen every day once you graduate. And I’m not sure that your boss will meet your imitation of Lord Denning with the same gusto that your law school friends have for the past three years.
And awaits us once we leave? Articling: the acne-riddled, awkward teen-stache phase of our legal careers. To paraphrase Britney, you’re not a student, not yet a lawyer. No one is impressed, and no one likes you. You are once again starting the climb from the bottom rung, and there is no safety net. But there is even more to miss than there is to dread.
Those who know me know that I am not one for sentimentalism and mush, but this is truly a special place, and I will miss it very much once I graduate. Sometimes I question whether some of my less stellar grades were the product of a subconscious attempt to sabotage my own graduation (and hence departure) from Osgoode, but then I remember that they are in fact the product of my own intellectual shortcomings. I am still looking forward to convocation, however, and for those contemplating skipping the festivities, my mother tells me that she will be joining me on stage to receive my degree and that she will tell Dean Sossin all about how she suffered trying to get me to do my homework in grade 1, so it’s sure to be entertaining.
As we stand on the precipice of our chosen careers, I want to offer you all a heartfelt blessing. May we all become the lawyers we want to be. May we go forth and chase justice. And may we never forget the ideals that brought us to this place or the things we learned here. Dear colleagues, classmates, professors, administrators, and staff, you have made me better—more articulate, well-rounded, informed, judicious, and compassionate. I am forever in your debt (and the bank’s, but I feel decidedly less warm and fuzzy about that). Friends, I know our paths will cross again in the future, and that knowledge softens the blow of having to leave this wonderful place. These have been among the happiest, most challenging and rewarding years of my life; they will be hard to top. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.