Unlikely Inspiration

I've been meaning to study harder for the LSAT. I've been planning to start writing personal statements. All I needed was a little push in the right direction. I went to the Bay for my sister's birthday celebration. I went to the Bay to get away. I was starting to feel the pressure and it overwhelmed me. I wasn't always like this. I'm an initiator. I do. And now I know that I don't know. It's killing me and my ego. I am utterly humbled at the difficulty of this test. I've taken three practice tests and haven't seen any significant improvement. Eff you, logical games. Seriously. But I know it's not just LGs, I can do better at Logical Reasoning and Reading Comp. You see, every single instance of my life has been geared toward medical school. Every science class I've taken is straightforward. "This is how it is." I don't remember being taught to arrange things according to given stipulations. Where are the concrete facts that I've been so accustomed to? I'm the only non-liberal arts major in my class and on the first day of LSAT class, my instructor said to me, "Forget everything you know. The LSAT tests your affinity for argument and reason, not what you know." Great. I felt like I've been wasting the past fours years at Davis and UNR. Had I know earlier what my true calling was, I'd major in history or English or philosophy. Grrrr.

But what made me change my mind. A whim? An epiphany? Sort of. I couldn't ignore the contradicting signs anymore. In middle school, I campaigned with my mom for Al Gore and Joe Lieberman. In high school I joined Rock the Vote to register young people and helped out with the Kerry-Edwards campaign. I did four years of Air Force Junior ROTC and student council. In college I represented students in the Senate, served as the Chief of Staff to the President and Vice President, and interned for the US Senate Majority Leader. When asked why I'm not going to law school, I replied, "Because I see politics as a hobby, not a career." How stupid was I? Anyone would kill to get paid for doing something they enjoy unconditionally, right?

I believe that we are all called to serve. Whether it be teaching or cleaning, each and every one of us serves the community in some capacity. I wanted to be a doctor, but how can I practice medicine with such a heavy burden? How can I help others if I can not help myself. The debate surrounding equal rights in this country has incontrovertibly shifted my priorities. No one can stand up for you, and I wouldn't want someone else to fight my fight. This is why I decided to pursue law.

So back to the dreaded LSAT. I hit a wall; couldn't improve my score. I was questioning myself, doubting myself. Until an unlikely inspiration came along. It was so simple. A stranger said, "You can do this. Logical Games is the most learnable section of the LSAT." What makes this even more credible is that this stranger is going to law school. So I say, "Thank you."

Today I studied Logical Games. I can do this. I have my short list. I know where I want to go and where I want to be. I found myself again. Lesson learned: when you're not looking, it'll come. This weekend was, hands-down, the best ever.