The students in my class, despite also being stressed and busy, are still supportive and even fun to be around. We had a great first exec board meeting for the Intellectual Property Law Society where we discussed all the events we wanted to plan for next year. My 1L section this year easily had the best Bigelow fellow (a couple other sections claim the same thing, but unlike me they’re wrong). And while I may be biased, I do think that UChicago’s general way of teaching law is almost precisely the right balance of theory and practicality. I had an amazing group lunch with Professor Nussbaum, a woman who was a pioneer in her field, earlier this week. And Professors Strahilevitz and Levmore — I am definitely looking forward to taking more classes with them.

On our last day, Strahilevitz told us that if he had billions of dollars he would still teach 1L property which was just about the cutest thing ever and it made me feel all sniffly (I then imagined him teaching our class with a pimp hat, fur coat and gold chains, so that helped). I really don’t think you’ll find a class of kids who are fonder of their professors than us, even as these same people are in the process of crushing our souls and depriving us of our ability to function properly, thanks to finals. And I’m not saying this just because I’m some great mood. Let me be clear about this: finals blow. I’m subsisting on popsicle sticks, gum, granola bars and weird combinations of whatever is left in my refrigerator, as in: eggs + mustard + a hot-dog bun? I’ll take it!

But in all seriousness, I think the main thing I like about the professors and students is that the common view I hold about people is that I don’t agree with all their views, but I like hearing what they have to say. In fact, I’ve found that I have some fundamental points of dissension in different capacities with everyone, but I still love talking to them and it has easily made this experience worthwhile. I mean, having a job at graduation would also be key, but I’ll worry about that when the time comes closer.

It’s been a stressful year, for sure. And I’ve definitely had my fair share of set-backs and frustrations. But a lot of the stuff that guidebooks and stuff mention when you’re looking at schools — e.g. worrying about the quarter system, transportation, amenities — really are trivial when you like and are learning from the people around you. I think if I could give prospective students one piece of advice in choosing between similar school is that you should just try to get a feel for if you like the people and trust your gut. (I say similar schools because rankings/grants/job opportunities matter, unfortunately.) I spent a lot of time debating and making extensive excel spread sheets to compare schools, but I think I always knew I’d end up here because I liked the people I’d met from UChicago, and I liked the ideas the school embodied.

Speaking of the quarter system, it means that we finish later than almost everyone and reading these “I’m done!!!” posts on facebook for the past few weeks has been brutal. I wish I could filter them because they are killing me. I am happy for you, but I’d be happier if we were both done.

Oh, one final “also”, I hoped the ABA would just do something, but as a backup then it’s probably good that someone finally sued one of the many law schools that give false or intentionally misleading employment statistics. I wish you all the best, and I will think of your class action as I outline Rule 23 tomorrow. Back to work.

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Figuring out my next step has been exhausting, thrilling, stressful, uncertain and, well, all other sorts of adjectives, but I feel good about this, though a bit apprehensive about how hard it’ll be and how cold Chicago will be. I was at more or less a complete impasse until I had the aha! realization that a lot of my indecision had been stemming from my reluctance to give up my life in New York and uproot myself. But I could always move back if I really end up feeling that strongly about it and, really, it’s nine months out of the year — now I’m just excited to choose housing, buy a UChicago hoodie and to find out what my 1L classes will be! (I know, the peppiness is nauseating, but cut me some slack. Life decisions are hard.)

I definitely realized that I’m glad I took time off, even if I did end up arriving at the conclusion that I’d anticipated two years ago. I know that I’m in a much better mindset to be able to succeed in law school — more focused, etc. I had time to figure out some stuff about, you know, life. I met a lot of wonderful people. I definitely have a clear idea about what I want and can expect out of a legal career, and I also have a better idea of what to or not to prioritize in law school and later on.

So, yeah, big week for me.

Getting out of career-planning-mode, I also had an IB Hot-Pot Party at my apartment when DK was in town, followed not long thereafter by IB Hot-Pot Party Part Deux to finish up the remaining food due to certain … miscalculations … of ideal meat to people ratios. (Ahem, Amy.)

We also had a farewell party for one of my co-workers at Havana Outpost, which has great margaritas. Yum. It was a lot of fun, but I wish I remembered more of it. I’m told I enjoyed myself, so that’s good, I suppose.