Today I received my final law school grades. I can now officially say I have a juris doctor degree. This last semester I chose to do it all. While some of my friends were learning how to say “no” I said YES to everything.

Dinner and drinks? YES. Debate about affirmative action? YES. Add four more pages to The Commentary? YES. Bake cookies and cupcakes whenever someone barely mentioned a craving? YES. Wake up at 5:30 am to go to Crossfit? YES. Make decorations for Barrister’s Ball? YES. Take full advantage of many nights of drinks and dancing? YES. MC the talent show? YES. Explore as many coffee shops as possible in the search for the best latte? YES. Cut my hair really short? YES. The Old Globe? YES. The symphony? YES. EVERYTHING YES. 

I did this because I was keenly aware that very soon my ability to say “yes” would end. It ended on May 2nd. My first day of bar prep. Don’t worry, this isn’t  a self pity or “studying for the bar sucks” post. This is a YES post.

I said yes to everything until May 2nd and I am so happy I did. Here I am two and a half weeks into bar prep and I have zero regrets about my last semester of law school. I experienced everything I wanted to and even some unexpected things that turned out to be awesome. Knowing that I truly enjoyed my last semester makes studying for the bar a bit easier. Now I have to say “no”  but when there is room for “yes” I take it and enjoy it.

Today I received my final law school grades. I said yes to everything, enjoyed every moment, and my grades reflect that. I smiled really big when I got them. I did what I needed to do to complete my last semester and prepare myself mentally for the bar. That last part being the key.

Even with all the YES I managed to get the highest grade in one class. I usually don’t come anywhere close to the highest grade. After getting over my initial disbelief I noticed that I received the highest grade for my internship seminar. A one credit class that is exclusively based on class discussion, written reflections, and a creative project. I got the highest grade for TALKING ABOUT MYSELF. I laughed loudly at that one.

Today I received my final law school grades. I have a juris doctor degree and I did it while saying YES.

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