The Bell Tolled Once

I'm done with law school. I finished my last final; I've already turned in my last paper. In one week, I will be Steve, JD.

I rang the bell, along with about six other people this morning. At our school, it is tradition that when you finish your last final, you ring the scale liberty bell in the foyer. Superstition has it that when you ring the bell, the number of rings equates to the number of times you have to take the bar before you pass. As mentioned in the title, the bell tolled once.

I'm a little surprised at the sense of accomplishment that was attached to my sense of relief at being done. I think this is due more to the fact that I feel like I actually accomplished something this time, instead of benefitting from what I already had. I undertook an endeavor that was foreign to me, and while I didn't exactly excel, I did better than just survive. And for that, I'm proud of my accomplishment.

I may not be a lawyer yet, but that doesn't mean I can't reflect on the journey so far. I earned this.