Light at the End of the Tunnel
Law school is drawing to a close. There is about a week worth of classes left, then finals. Part of me is panicked, but part of me just doesn't care anymore. A lot of people say "there's a light at the end of the tunnel..." and all sorts of other cliches. I've always liked that phrase for some reason.
After graduation, everyone will share in the misery of studying for the bar exam, then most folks are either continuing individual job searches or starting at their new jobs. As for me, I'm taking the less common route... I'm entering another tunnel. I've decided to go to Boston University to spend another year of my life in law school to get an LL. M degree in Banking and Financial Institutions Law.
So looking back over these past 3 years here in Atlanta, there have been a lot of ups and downs. The best and worst moments of my life. I've met some wonderful and some not so wonderful people. But one thing is for certain: I'm definitely leaving Emory as someone more "grown up" than when I entered. No more willful screwing around and putting off responsibility for too much longer. Effectively, law school has made me want to face the real world.
Looking back at the law school faculty, some people have been awsome. Namely, Professor Elliott. He gave me the highest grades I've received at law school, as well as a good reference to the guys at the Fed, who hired me last summer as their law clerk. That, undoubtedly, has led me on my current course to get an LL. M in banking law. So thanks largely to Prof. Elliott, my life is going in a particular direction. Other folks amongst the law school faculty who I thought were particularly great were Professor Witte, just for being an entertaining but knowledgable teacher, and Professor An-Naim, who's meaningful insights and lessons have helped me to further develop my knowledge of Islam and my Muslim identity. The professors who have been not so cool are all of those who during my first year gave me grades below a B. They know who they are. Some of them redeemed themselves by giving me higher grades in subsequent classes, but against some of them I still hold a grudge.
So, high points in law school: Getting Dean's awards during my second year. Definitely a confidence booster knowing that I actually get some of this stuff and can show it. The Halloween parties were also particularly fun. Low points in law school: First year grades, which were particularly humiliating, and not making the Moot court society last year was also kind of a blow. But overall, the good stuff outweighs the bad, and I'm glad I came here and went through this experience.
I'm curious to see what next year holds in store for me. The last time I lived in Boston (I lived in Sommerville actually) was during the summer of 2001, right before senior year of college. What a hugely different world it was at that time. Pre 9/11, pre everything. But I also remember not being a huge fan of the city at that point. Hopefully that will be different this time around, considering I'll be there for an entirely different reason and with an entirely different outlook.
The light at the end of the tunnel is coming nearer. But it's actually the light of the entrance to another tunnel. Hopefully the light of the end of that tunnel will be a brighter one.
Another great sign: The Rangers finally had their first playoff victory in 10 years last week. Woo hoo!
After graduation, everyone will share in the misery of studying for the bar exam, then most folks are either continuing individual job searches or starting at their new jobs. As for me, I'm taking the less common route... I'm entering another tunnel. I've decided to go to Boston University to spend another year of my life in law school to get an LL. M degree in Banking and Financial Institutions Law.
So looking back over these past 3 years here in Atlanta, there have been a lot of ups and downs. The best and worst moments of my life. I've met some wonderful and some not so wonderful people. But one thing is for certain: I'm definitely leaving Emory as someone more "grown up" than when I entered. No more willful screwing around and putting off responsibility for too much longer. Effectively, law school has made me want to face the real world.
Looking back at the law school faculty, some people have been awsome. Namely, Professor Elliott. He gave me the highest grades I've received at law school, as well as a good reference to the guys at the Fed, who hired me last summer as their law clerk. That, undoubtedly, has led me on my current course to get an LL. M in banking law. So thanks largely to Prof. Elliott, my life is going in a particular direction. Other folks amongst the law school faculty who I thought were particularly great were Professor Witte, just for being an entertaining but knowledgable teacher, and Professor An-Naim, who's meaningful insights and lessons have helped me to further develop my knowledge of Islam and my Muslim identity. The professors who have been not so cool are all of those who during my first year gave me grades below a B. They know who they are. Some of them redeemed themselves by giving me higher grades in subsequent classes, but against some of them I still hold a grudge.
So, high points in law school: Getting Dean's awards during my second year. Definitely a confidence booster knowing that I actually get some of this stuff and can show it. The Halloween parties were also particularly fun. Low points in law school: First year grades, which were particularly humiliating, and not making the Moot court society last year was also kind of a blow. But overall, the good stuff outweighs the bad, and I'm glad I came here and went through this experience.
I'm curious to see what next year holds in store for me. The last time I lived in Boston (I lived in Sommerville actually) was during the summer of 2001, right before senior year of college. What a hugely different world it was at that time. Pre 9/11, pre everything. But I also remember not being a huge fan of the city at that point. Hopefully that will be different this time around, considering I'll be there for an entirely different reason and with an entirely different outlook.
The light at the end of the tunnel is coming nearer. But it's actually the light of the entrance to another tunnel. Hopefully the light of the end of that tunnel will be a brighter one.
Another great sign: The Rangers finally had their first playoff victory in 10 years last week. Woo hoo!
