My Unyielding Journey through Law College

Embarking on my law school journey, I was filled with high hopes and expectations. However, those dreams quickly soured when I realized the field wasn't for me. Quitting was off the table, so I had to make peace with my situation. Ultimately, I'm thankful I persevered with my law studies because it taught me invaluable lessons and led me to discover my true interests.

Early Ambitions and Harsh Realities

When I was younger, the idea of becoming a lawyer seemed exciting. Many people around me encouraged this path, claiming it suited me perfectly. So, after high school, I saw my future at Saint-Louis University in Brussels, signing up for a law degree. I eagerly anticipated university life, thinking it would be the start of my real life. Yet, as soon as I found myself crammed into the bustling lecture halls, I realized that college, and particularly my major, would be arduous.

In the beginning, I hoped that the dull initial courses were just foundational and that things would improve. However, as each academic year passed, certainty set in—nothing was going to change. By my second and third years, I felt increasingly astray from my true path. The courses grew tougher, exams became more daunting, and the competition between students was intense.

Finding My Way through Academic Struggles

Five years later, equipped with two master's degrees in law from European institutions, I'm finally ready to graduate. Surviving these five years immersed in a major that never resonated with me still seems baffling, yet I bear no regrets. My interest in the law classes was minimal. The discipline often felt burdensome, as the daunting coursework and exhaustive exams took a psychological toll. It was clear that the educational system sought to mold us into functional professionals. For those like me, unsatisfied by this, finding personal fulfillment required looking beyond the basics.

My passion for literature often tempted me to switch majors by my second year. The desire to write tugged at me, a calling that predated my decision to study law. After much introspection, long discussions, and dealing with familial concerns, I chose to stick it out. Though academically I excelled, daily questions of self-doubt haunted me: Was I wasting my time?

The Role of Discipline in Surviving School

Law school is no cakewalk, even for the most passionate students. For someone like me, it posed an even greater challenge. I faced panic attacks, mounting pressure to keep pace, and the strain of securing internships without knowing if any of it mattered. Doubts clouded my mind, impairing my ability to concentrate in class and accomplish routine tasks. The sheer determination to continue entailed studying for extended hours, often amidst spiraling doubts.

Discipline became my anchor. Even amidst tears, I pressed on, knowing these hard times were temporary and believing in my strength to persevere.

Discovering Contentment in the Path Unchosen

My deep dissatisfaction with the coursework compelled me to explore beyond the curriculum to find what truly engaged me. That’s when a legal article on the interaction between law and art captured my interest. It reawakened a sense of enthusiasm for the first time, helping to carve out a niche in what seemed an unsuited field.

Remaining steadfast in my academic journey proved fruitful, as it allowed me to discover a thrilling focus area within law. The experience has taught me the value of questioning prevailing paths and remaining open to new possibilities, rather than settling into a career that could leave me unfulfilled.