Graduation
“I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreaming…”
Those lyrics from “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus have never felt more personal, and I feel more universal for the human experience. One of my generation's favorite childhood hits has a far different meaning to me now. As I prepare to walk across the graduation stage this Saturday at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I have never felt more excited yet equally scared for what's to come. Graduation is about celebrating the journey, not just the one behind me, but the one that's still unfolding. Sometimes I have to stop and give myself credit for my accomplishments, for the fact that I am leaving my college career with two degrees and many amazing experiences, yet I am still afraid.
The Future
I think about law school applications, the gut-punch of rejections, the purgatory of waitlists, and the uncertainty that still lingers around my future. When I first heard that song years ago, when I was a little girl obsessed with horses and Hannah Montana, I didn't realize how closely those lyrics would map onto my own story. Law school wasn't supposed to be easy, I knew that. But I didn't expect to be stuck in between, in this long, painful pause called the waitlist. I've watched classmates post acceptances and scholarships while I've refreshed inboxes and reread polite deferrals or waitlist updates.
“There's always gonna be another mountain / I'm always gonna wanna make it move…”
This line hits hard. Because for me, the mountain has never been in the same place. I have always dreamed of being a lawyer, and the possibilities of my career were endless. I still believe they are, but this line has become more daunting than exciting. It is hard to leave behind a comfortable reality and face an uncertain future. Yet still I know, and as many other future law students feel, I will do this one way or another. I want to succeed in my Law Career, and I want to make a change.
The Climb
“There's a struggle I'm facing, the chances I'm taking / Sometimes might knock me down, but no, I'm not breaking…”
Being waitlisted doesn't mean I'm unworthy. It means I'm still climbing. And if The Climb has taught me anything, it's that the view isn't the only thing that matters. The resilience and growth are all part of the journey. My dream of becoming a lawyer isn't some vague ambition; it's rooted in my lived experience and a deeply held belief that the law can be a tool for justice, not just punishment.
I don't know what comes next. Maybe an acceptance. Maybe more waiting. But I'm not standing still. I'm preparing, learning, and excited to join my peers in Law School in the Fall. The mountain is there, but I am certain I will climb it. If anyone else out there is in a similar situation to me, just know that you can and you will achieve your dream no matter how it looks. It may be different from what you first imagined it to be, and that's okay. The hike has many different paths, and they will all get you to the top.
