Authored by: Christine “Chris” Drew

By the time this is published, I will have walked across the stage, bent down to receive my hood, snapped a picture with our Dean, received my diploma, and prayed I either didn’t trip or have my legs give out on the way back to my seat. I hope I enjoy the moment as this is a dream achieved nearly 24 years to the day I graduated from University of Kansas with a political science degree. If 22-year-old me could just see me now!

After my final classes wrapped up and I completed my final exams, I took a moment to enjoy it and celebrate something that not many do- I graduated from law school. Even less people graduate law school from the part time evening program while working full time at the age of 46. However, it did feel weird. What do you do when you finally achieve something you have wanted for decades? Oh wait, I still have to study for the bar exam! The hard work is not over.

After I celebrated, I reflected about how I got to this point, all the different things that I wish I would have done or should have done during my 4 years. I, like many of my fellow 2025 law school graduates, may be entering a time where the rule of law is being questioned and the goal line on what is constitutional continues to be pushed, but there is hope. Like my fellow graduates, I feel nervous about sectors of law that have been challenged and blockaded. I have hope that with the vocal outrage from the public, prominent law firms and national bar associations, the rule of law will hold the line.

In speaking with my fellow graduates, I was able to acquire bits of wisdom coupled with some of my own with the grace of hindsight.

Networking (in whatever form you feel comfortable with) is important, but creating your own network can be a gamechanger.

Putting oneself in networking environments can be unnerving for some and invigorating for others. Find the environment that best suits your needs- this could be a happy hour hosted by a law firm or an alumni/student networking event hosted by your school. Some people brave the crowd alone, while others benefit from the buddy system. Do what makes you most comfortable, but don’t shy away from those “uncomfortable” opportunities because you never know if that networking event is where you meet your next boss.

Networking opportunities can also lead you to find a mentor. A mentor can introduce you to a different type of law, different avenues to obtain your end goal, or just be someone who supports and guides you when you are presented with the many trials and tribulations of law school.

Your network in law school, however, is a different animal all together. A network in law school could take the form of study partners, go-to professors, fellow law review editors or members of your affinity law groups. The law school network is who you go to for assistance, support, answers, and championing when times are tough. We all need these networks because not everyone can do law school alone. My law school network expanded as I progressed through the program. What started out my law school networking was just a small (yet mighty) group of evening students. However, over time that small group expanded to include members of the student bar association, moot court, women’s law caucus, as well as adjunct and full-time professors. I found value in what I could learn from them all and I found purpose in assisting others where and when I could.

Finding a solid law school network will help when you find yourself in the law school solitude. It can aid when you are studying for finals, having a hard time or during bar prep. It is in those times that you need to realize you aren’t really alone. You will realize that others are plugging through the studying and surviving too. Relying on those around you in order to survive and advance is one of the best ways to see your network flourish. Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul series was once quoted saying “For every reason it’s not possible, there are hundreds of people who have faced the same circumstances and succeeded.”

Recognizing that imposter syndrome is legit and needs to be appreciated but can be overcome.

Imposter syndrome is a concept that I was never aware of until my professor introduced me to it at the beginning of law school. However, realizing that my feelings of doubt and fear even considering my accomplishments and successes were real and normal, allowed me to develop ways to overcome it. Now, I have not overcome imposter syndrome completely- I am still burdened with the concept that my writing will not be up to par or that my numerous accomplishments are just lucky circumstances. However, realizing that this “syndrome” exists has allowed me to manage it rather than collapse under the strain of it all.
Overcoming (or at the very least, managing) imposter syndrome can be done through recognizing your feelings and fears, concentrating on facts about successes and achievements, celebrating those goals and successes attained and then also listening to others when they say “you are doing great” or “you are great” because you are! You didn’t get this far on a fluke.

Learn to laugh at your failings, slipups, and mistakes.

George Bernard Shaw once said, “Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time.” I have let this quote guide much of my life as a type-A personality who strives for perfection while realizing that the failures allow for learning and growth.

Take the opportunity to give a wrong answer so that you can find out what’s wrong and the process to get to the correct one. Personally, and my classmates can attest, I never shied away from asking the questions or giving an answer, knowing that it likely wasn’t correct. I tried to put myself out there to because I knew I needed to learn how to get to the right answer, rather than assume I always I had the right answer.

Take advantage of bar preparation offerings, however, create a plan that works for you.

At University of Illinois – Chicago, we have the opportunity to take classes where the three parts of the UBE are individually broken down and taught. I purposely took advantage of these classes to get a jump on my bar prep. I knew that my study plan of working and studying for the Bar Exam is definitely different than others. That was one of the reasons why I took every opportunity to gain the free information that was being offered. I also leaned on my bar prep company for the resources and guidance in anticipation of graduation and the future undertaking of bar prep. This allowed me to assuage some of my anxiety about working and studying. It also allowed me to develop a plan to start studying earlier and more effectively. However, you might want to ask me in October to see if that plan succeeded.

Take the courses that interest you, not just the ones you are “required” to take.

I realized that I was only going to go to law school once and thought “why not take classes that actually interest me, ones that I will be able to expand that network and educate me on topics I hope to pursue in the future.” This led me to take both Election Law and Local Government Law in the Fall of 2024. Both classes allowed me an insight into topics that I would normally not have an opportunity to study but had a desire and interest to learn about. Also, Election Law was taken at a particularly opportune time, especially in the midst of an intriguing national election.

Conversely, I avoided classes that I knew my law school encouraged us to take in preparation for the bar, but I knew would be tough for me to spend a full 14 weeks suffering from discouragement and confusion based on the topics. I am looking at you, Secured Transactions. I knew what my boundary was, and I set it for myself to ensure my own mental health.

Look to see what’s next….

C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

My path to law school was a winding road, with stops and starts, heartbreaks and celebrations. The 22-year-old recent college graduate version of me had a plan: go to law school, become a lawyer, run for office, change the world. However, at 23, I lost my father suddenly and life was turned upside down. It took many years to right itself, but in the meantime, I had the opportunity to work on a presidential campaign, get my master’s degree in public service management, gain skills as a national corporate account manager, and receive my paralegal certificate. All of these things lined me up to eventually be a law student.

Even my path in law school was marred with challenges – two Achilles surgeries and a back surgery. Personally, I experienced loss of family and friends who supported me during my life which kept my life off kilter. The universe really wanted me to earn this degree and “enjoy” the experience. It probably also wanted me to slow down. I realized that with the grace of hindsight, I am glad I went to law school when I did. Even though it was hard and a struggle, I appreciate it more and understand things better than if I followed that original plan of attending at 22 years old.

There are few things that I wish I “woulda, coulda, shoulda” done, because I realize that this was always the plan and now, on to the next dream.

About the Author

Christine “Chris” Drew is a 3L in the evening program at University of Illinois – Chicago Law school and will be graduating in May 2025. For the last 12 years, she has been a paralegal, first starting in criminal defense and plaintiff firms in the loop and for the last 7 years has been working for a civil defense firm. She hopes to combine her Master’s in Public Service Management from DePaul University with her previous work experience in the corporate and political arena and her legal experience to develop policy and legislation to address concerns facing her community.