Graduation & Advice on Deciding Whether To Go To Law School Or Not (Or Another Professional Degree)

I just wrapped a 23-year career in education.  Okay, so I totally included preschool in that count, but I totally learned things in preschool.  In fact, probably the most important thing I learned in preschool was how to write my name.  You know they give you 40 or 45 points just for showing up and writing your name on the bar exam…for each part of the exam—so that’s 240/270 points!

Anyways, I really don’t like graduation ceremonies, because they’re long and hot, and long and hot, and did I mention long and hot?  However, leading up to commencement I was thinking about how important graduation seemed to be for my family, and I can’t complain.  Their unconditional love and unfailing support is invaluable.  I am extremely blessed. 

I mean, the fact that they wanted to celebrate my graduation more than I did means a whole lot to me. And it wasn’t just my parents who were insistent on me walking at commencement and also having some kind of family gathering, but it was my aunts and uncles, and my cousins, too. 

So, even though all the singular attention makes me really uncomfortable—and I mean REALLY uncomfortable—I realize I have an incredible support system.  I always have.  When I was little, my aunt and uncle, or my grandma would take me to gymnastics when my mom couldn’t.  And nowadays they’re all still always there for me in other ways. 

In the end, I’m very glad I decided to walk, especially after seeing my grandma’s reaction.  Plus, I know how much it meant to my parents.  We celebrated that evening with a huge Persian feast.  We’re not Persian, but damB we love Persian food.  Well, we love all food. 

The wine was flowing, the laughter was roaring, and my cousin and his girlfriend brought over the best ice cream cake ever.  Two of them!  One in the shape of a bumblebee, and one in the shape of a ladybug!  It was marvelous.  The funniest part was while we were eating, my cousin pointed out that we all had black teeth because of the black frosting, and we all busted into hysterical laughter.  It was magnificent.  It was exactly what I needed before I head into two of some of the hardest months of my life.  So, I’m very grateful they all forced me into celebrating.

Getting through something like law school and then getting through something like bar prep requires a really strong support system, and I realize that not everyone has that.  Next to any traumatic situation you may encounter, God forbid, law school and studying for the bar are a couple of the hardest things you will do in your life, if you decide to do it.  

So, since I’ve been asked several times, here are some of my tips to anyone considering getting a law degree:

1)   You have to REALLY want it.  I mean REALLY, REALLY want it, because it is a HUGE mental, emotional, even physical, and financial commitment;

2)   Once you have decided, you need to fully commit yourself, or you won’t make it out—realize it absolutely must be a priority;

3)   Know that your friends and family will NOT understand what you are going through unless they have been through it, too; and

4)   Don’t get a law degree to make money. 

BIG LOVE & HUGS

Love,

Justine