I spent my summer at the District Attorney’s office prepping preliminary hearings. I appeared on record for the first time and questioned witnesses. I also had the privilege of arguing an opposition to a motion in front of a judge. When I wasn’t in the courtroom, I was back inside my unit researching and writing motions. My experience tied together criminal procedure, evidence, and criminal law. In addition to building on previous knowledge from courses I’ve taken at Loyola, I strengthened other skills such as witness interviewing and courtroom confidence.

I spent most weekends reconnecting with friends and family. I celebrated my 25th birthday in August at a theme park. Even though I worked full time, I made sure I had time to recharge and disconnect.

“You’re going to blink and before you know it, you’ll be a 3L,” words of wisdom told to me as I prepared to enter my 1L year. As I select classes for Spring 2017, I can’t believe graduation is around the corner. 1L me wasn’t so sure I’d make it this far. Law school was more challenging than I had initially anticipated. In the beginning, everything seems foreign. You are learning how to brief a case, how to analyze the law, figuring out what facts matter, how to IRAC, you sift through so much information.

What I didn’t realize back then is that the entire process of struggling with material is where the learning happens. My first reading assignment for civil procedure was on issue and claim preclusion. I must have read and reread each paragraph a few times. I did not understand what I was reading. I remember for the first time in my life, crying over that textbook. As a 3L, I remember that moment and laugh. Everything has changed.

My name is Stephanie, I am in my last year of law school. I spend most of my time working and attending classes. In my free time, I play with my puppy Milo and experiment with Special FX Makeup.