Next month, I’ll be graduating from KU Law, which feels surreal to acknowledge, even in text form as I type this post out. Undoubtedly, the months ahead will represent a major transitional period for law graduates like me, who are overwhelmingly looking forward to (or dreading) the Bar Exam. This past week, I have dedicated my alone time to some much-needed introspection as I prepare for this change, which necessarily includes reflecting upon my experiences throughout law school. 

I should admit that I hadn’t considered applying to, let alone attending, law school until my last year of college. I initially applied to the LEAD program because I wanted to graduate from college early. Knowing what I do now, I would always make the decision to attend KU Law without reservation or even so much as a second thought. These past three years have not only equipped me to become a professional in a rapidly changing social and legal landscape but have also been instrumental to my personal growth as I balance the demands of school, work and extracurriculars with interpersonal client interactions. 

Above all, I have learned to be resilient and accommodating for others while being patient with myself, as we all deserve to reserve a little grace and kindness for ourselves, especially when it’s difficult. 

Perhaps I should take this time to address the title of my article, which probably triggered some oppositional reflex. Notwithstanding the fact that it would be impossible for literally everyone to go to law school, I sincerely believe that everyone would benefit from some form of legal education, not just those wanting to be lawyers. I say this as someone who isn’t entering the legal profession immediately after graduation. 

Instead, I will be starting medical school in July. And I do not think I would have been half as self-assured in making that decision had I not attended law school. Following my first year of law school, I had a summer Medical-Legal Partnership field placement at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. There, my supervising attorney and I collaborated extensively with healthcare providers to assist patients with a variety of legal matters, ranging from insurance and housing to estate planning. 

Interacting with patients and learning how to address social drivers of health will be invaluable for my future medical career. So will championing patient autonomy and privacy rights, using the knowledge I acquired through my coursework in elder and privacy law. In fact, I have used this knowledge to drive initiatives promoting health systems literacy in my capacity as the chair of KU’s Student Health Advisory Board.

My professional interests aside, law school also taught me invaluable practical and personal skills. Last year, I filed my own taxes for the first time. I also learned what a mortgage was. Most important has been learning to balance integrity and compassion for others with principled self-advocacy. I want to take this space to thank my mentors, Professors Najarian Peters and Andrew Torrance, both of whom I look up to. Not only are they exceptional in their respective fields, but have also been excellent role models to me. 

I truly believe that no matter who you are, where you come from or what you’re interested in, there’s something in the law for you. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll not only learn about the world around you, but you’ll discover new things about yourself, too. 

– Tanya Singh is a 3L KU Law Student Ambassador from Manhattan, Kansas