It's not even over, and I'm already nostalgic

Yesterday I had a breakfast meeting with the Dean of Student Life and about 10 students. He tries to meet with every 3L in the spring over breakfast or lunch to talk about what the school did right and what they need to work on. It's made me realize how much I'm going to miss my life as a law student.
This guy, the Dean of Student Life, is truly amazing. He taught Torts in my section 1L year. The first day of class, he takes a picture of everyone, and has them write down on an index card certain information. I think it included your name, undergrad school, major, your interests and a fun fact. The next day of class, he spent 20 minutes going through all 76 people in my section without those cards. He had memorized it all. He used the Socratic method, but he would call on people throughout the semester based on their interests when those came up in cases. He's just unreal. My class has 193 people in it, and he knows everything about all of them. Everyone loves him and he loves everyone (or at least acts like it to their face, haha).
Anyway, this breakfast was really open and honest. It felt so good to talk about everything with someone who has the desire and power to create change. I surprised myself with how much I like about the school.

The Good:
* The people. Everyone is nice and friendly and helpful. Seriously, everyone! This includes faculty, staff, and my classmates. Professors give you home phone numbers, invite you to bbq's at their houses and pass on networking info in job searches. Strangers smile and say hi. If anyone needs help, several will jump at the chance to give what they can.
* Required Courses. Every subject except for Community Property that is tested on the CA bar exam is a required course here. That means we have 8 upper division required courses. It definitely makes me less apprehensive about bar prep. Also required is Legal Research and Writing 1L year... you learn how to write motions and an appellate brief, use the blue book and do legal research.
* Form of examinations. Almost all of them are closed book, 2 hours of essays in SoftTest and 1 hour of multiple choice (like the MBEs). Personally, I hate open book exams, maybe because I am good at memorization, so I like this. And once again, I feel like this helps me prepare for the way the Bar tests.
* The location. Ok, this may be the most important part. I go to school on the beach. In the sunshine. It's pretty. It makes me happy. My commute is 20 minutes on PCH. I love it.
* Political Balance. The University is known for being uber-conservative. The law school is too, but to a lesser degree. Actually, there is a very good balance of political viewpoints in both the student body and the faculty. It really makes for good debates and forces people to be open-minded.

The Bad:
* Attendance. Seriously, they take attendance. Supposedly if you miss 6 classes in a semester (when they meet 3 times a week), you can be dropped from the course. And most professors pass around attendance sheets. What is this bullshit?
* Library hours. On Sunday, they don't open until NOON. You know why? Because you're supposed to be at church. Ya, Sunday is sometimes the only day I get any work done the whole week! The library should be open.
* Class Offerings. There are very few transactional courses offered. I will graduate having taken Securities Reg., M&A, Fed. Tax of Business Entities, Ethical Corporate Practice, Corporations and Business Planning, but only because I planned ahead starting my 1L year and signed up for almost everything offered. There are no clinicals available in Corporate stuff.
* Social events are lame. We never have open-bar because the school doesn't sponsor drinking in any way... the campus (even grad housing) is dry!
* Strict Curve with a forced median all three years.

I always end up reflecting on the past when something is coming to an end. I usually feel a mix of emotions, and this is no different. I remember deciding where to go to law school like it was yesterday, and I honestly can't even comprehend that it's almost over. I have no regrets. I loved school.
Back then, I worried a little bit about the fact that I wasn't going to a top school. I can't say that I would pick my school over a top 10 school if I had the choice today, because I probably wouldn't. But I loved my time here. It never felt stressful to me, I was actually enjoying my life all three years. I got to live in a beautiful area, make new friends and learn a lot about the law. I ended up with the job I wanted (I hope I still have it at least!). I always had time to do things outside of school, and it felt good to do well in my classes.

I have 2 more days of class. Graduation is less than a month away. I don't feel ready to close this chapter of my life. Part of this is because I know the bar exam is waiting. Part of it is because a bunch of my friends are going to be leaving for good to go work in other parts of the world. Part of it is because I have to come to grips with the fact that my identity will no longer be a student. And maybe a little part of it is because I'm still not exactly sure what I'll do next year while I defer. I will really miss my morning drives up the coast, watching the sun sparkle on the ocean. I'll miss the law student schedule and the flexibility of my life. I'll miss seeing my friends everyday and complaining via facebook status about whatever class we were sitting in. I'll miss the time in my Remedies class to upload pictures on the University's network (it only takes like 2 minutes to upload 100 pictures!). I'm really looking forward to starting my career, but since that is still a year and a half away, I'll just let the sad part of finishing school sink in for a little longer.