First off, I got to say, BOOMER SOONER GO OU!

When I started college I had no idea that this is where I would end up. From starting with a Communications degree, moving to English, to Elementary Education and then to Sociology- I finally found what I enjoy doing and I never thought I would get to this point. I can barely believe that this is my senior year of college either and I still have to pinch myself that this is real life and that I actually did get accepted into law school.

I have always worked hard in school and I probably study way too much (as most people know about me). I don't just "study to the test" I study to learn the material and remember something from it. I am definitely a perfectionist when it comes to assignments and I notice every little detail, which is a good quality to have for going into law. I'm also super organized all the time and I think five miles ahead of everyone else. I'm on my A game.

So I guess I should start this story by telling you why I applied to OU law and when I did it. This past semester from January of 2019 to now I felt like I have found where I am supposed to be and that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I had a couple of professors who worked with me (and one professor who will be my mentor this fall!) and encourage me to try to apply to law school. I was hesitant at first but I prayed about it all semester and I said: "God, if this is what you want me to do and this is where you want me to be- you'll make this happen for me" (which He did!) Over the past semester I have felt called to criminal law. I just know that this is what I want to do with my life. This is my calling, my purpose. I feel extremely blessed that I get this opportunity and I'm going to make every moment count.

I think in life we all go through a period of bad things or have personal struggles to get to the good things. I felt like pretty much up until my Junior year of college I was waiting for something good to happen to me. God was waiting to see what I would do and how bad I really wanted to do this.

One night at about 1 AM I couldn't sleep and I was completely restless and I just got this thought in my mind of "if I don't try to do this and apply, I'll never know what will happen and I can't live like this and not know" and I got up to sit at my desk and filled out this application at 1 AM as a crazy person does. I answered the essay questions to the best of my abilities and moved on. Honestly, I felt better after I applied (even at 1 AM) because I felt relieved and I felt like God was testing me to see if I would actually make the move and jump. I jumped.

And then I got accepted. I got the acceptance email before I actually got the physical copy in the mail so I printed it off and put it in a basic black frame and took some cute pictures to remember this moment. I was and still am so proud of myself and the hard work that I've done to get to this point. I didn't only start this journey, but I'm going to finish it strong. I have a lot to be proud of- probably more than what I give myself credit for. But I'm happy, surrounded with positive people in my life who love me and support me.

My advice for anyone out there who feels like they're stuck or struggling with something, just wait it out. God makes everything perfect in His plan. We often think that we know what is best for ourselves and that we can handle anything, but He knows His plan and it's up to Him and if He wants something for you, it'll happen.

God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him. -Philippians 2:13 TPT (the Passion Translation)

Erica Hanna