Summer is on the horizon, and with it comes the chance to continue growing both academically and professionally, while still making time to enjoy life outside of law school.

Looking back at my post from last year, it is amazing to see how much has changed.  This summer, I’m diving into Evidence Law, and having observed my first trial in February, as part of my clerkship, I got a small glimpse of how the rules of evidence play out in practice.  Seeing attorneys raise objections and navigate admissibility in real time was eye-opening, and I’m excited to learn more in class and apply it directly during my clerkship.  My goal is to continue building my skills, earn certification, and contribute meaningfully in the Los Angeles legal community through pro-bono volunteer work – all opportunities Loyola helped make possible.  

Of course, summer is not all work.  Balancing clerkships, classes, and professional growth with time for family and friends and small adventures is important too.  And who knows maybe, this summer, I will actually catch up on Suits.

Here’s to another summer of more learning, more growth, and making the most of every opportunity while still enjoying the moments that make it worthwhile.

At this point, I am not entirely certain what my summer will look like, but I do know one thing with complete certainty: I will be working. That much has never really been in question for me. What remains open is the setting. I recently interviewed with a law firm through Loyola Law School’s OCI process, and I am still waiting to hear back. Also, I may have the opportunity to return to a law firm where I previously worked. I’d be grateful for either opportunity. 

While my path is still developing, the larger direction feels clear.

In some ways, not having my summer fully mapped out has been one of the more honest parts of law school. A lot of conversations about summer plans can make it seem like everyone has everything mapped out early, but that hasn’t been my experience. To me, this stage has not been about forcing a perfect plan, but about staying ready for the right opportunity. What matters most is continuing to build professional experience, sharpening my judgment, and spending the summer in an environment where I can expand my legal knowledge.

I am excited to work this summer, and I am ready for the challenges of legal work and continued growth through experience. I really appreciate the support at Loyola Law School, which made these opportunities possible in the first place.

Loyola has played a significant role in making those possibilities accessible, especially through OCI. Loyola has shown me that legal careers are built through relationships, preparation, and readiness when an opportunity arises.

Everyone told me that this semester would fly by and I didn’t believe them. Now, it’s almost April and it feels like I only blinked and we got here. After turning in my brief and taking the midterm, my days have somehow seemed shorter. But, this doesn’t mean the days are any less busy. I try to go to most informational lunch events, board applications for organizations were recently released, and clinic applications also just opened. On top of that, I am still searching for a 1L summer position that I feel would rejuvenate my ambition. My mornings are filled with readings and my evenings are filled with cover letters.

In this chaos, I try to remember how much I have grown over the last school year. In August, I was a completely different person than I am now. I have gone through a finals season and juggled life events with academic expectations. I use the healthy coping mechanisms I developed last semester very often these days. I try to start my mornings with yoga before I crack open a book and I try to end the day coloring or reading a mindless fiction book to turn off my brain for the night. The beach has remained a constant in my mindfulness routine. Being in nature whenever I get the chance has done wonders for my stress levels.

I hope to continue with my holistic approach to academics for the rest of my law school journey, even as the challenges persist.

1. It’s different from undergrad—treat it that way.

 The way you learn in law school is completely different from undergrad. It’s not just about understanding the material; it’s about knowing when and how to apply it and doing so better than others. When you start law school, bring your best study habits with you, but be prepared to adapt how you approach learning.

2. You can be anyone you want in law school.

 I truly believe you can be yourself in law school. You can love shopping, watching movies, cooking, hiking, going to the beach, or spending time with family. Loyola is full of all kinds of people, and no matter who you are, you will find your place.

3. Be proud of yourself at every step.

Law school is a long journey, and it’s important to celebrate the small wins along the way. For me, that meant being proud of myself every time I nailed a cold call. As you settle into the routine, the things that once felt intimidating will start to feel manageable. Don’t forget to recognize the progress you’ve made to get there, starting with choosing a law school.

One piece of advice that I got prior to starting law school was to also use law school as an opportunity to network, and to take advantage of as many opportunities to explore and network as possible. At Loyola, there have been several different opportunities and types of events where I was able to network.

Some of the events were offered through an LLS student organization, such as APALSA (Asian Pacific American Law Students Association). APALSA holds an annual “night market” where people could play games, win prizes, and mingle with students from other law schools and attorneys who were sponsors and/or alumni of APALSA. I was able to talk with a currently practicing tax attorney, a corporate litigation attorney, and I was able to meet students from UCLA, Southwestern, USC, Pepperdine, UC Irvine, and Chapman.

Other events were offered directly from Loyola—such as the First-Year Alumni Mentorship program. In September of last year, I was matched with an alumni mentor who had also gone through the hybrid evening program at Loyola. My alumni mentor and I have been able to connect several times over phone, and she has given me advice on everything from self-care and withstanding pressure to how to get through law school exams. Although I work with attorneys at my job as a paralegal, being able to talk with a currently practicing attorney, who has been through the exact same program I am currently going through, has been invaluable.