Well, a full month has passed since I last checked in. Finals are over, and if you’ll tolerate my tired pessimism, there’s a possibility that my law career could be over as well. My grades weren’t so hot from the first semester, and despite my best efforts over the last five months, I can’t guarantee that I did well enough on my finals to pass. But I’m not here to bum anybody out or to catch pity. I just wanted to let you all know that I’m back, and that my summer vacation has begun.

It’s been gratifying receiving so much support from friends and internet strangers alike. Even random strangers out in the real world have been especially kind to me. A few weeks ago, I was studying for my Property final on the train ride home from school when my car was boarded by a class of eighth graders. They were loud, juvenile, and obnoxiously ebullient. They packed into the cabin and spilled into center aisle. At every stop, their adult chaperone, a man named Mr. Wilson, raised his voice and reminded the students to stand aside and allow people on and off the train. After thirty minutes of hearing him bark his orders, I was starting to like the guy. The train finally reached South Hayward, and the kids started filing out onto the platform. Before Mr. Wilson stepped off, he walked over to my seat, leaned down, and said, “Hey, good luck.” I looked up with a puzzled expression and thanked him. “Property, right?” he asked me. “Yeah,” I responded, hardly able to mask my surprise. Mr. Wilson smiled and walked off the train.

I have no idea how he knew I was a law student, or how he even guessed what I was studying based on my type-written notes. Maybe the man has legal experience himself, and he was able to smell a 1L from 200 yards away. Or maybe the guy just has a remarkable gift for observation. Whatever the case may be, I choose to look back on that exchange as an omen of good fortune. There’s a very real possibility that I didn’t make the academic cut this year. Of course I’m hoping for the best, and of course I can be satisfied in knowing that I gave it my all, but I’m also realistic enough to know that I’ve rarely been the smartest person in the room. But even if this law thing doesn’t work out for me, Mr. Wilson’s words will always hold some meaning. Good luck, kid. Things will be all right. Thank you, Mr. Wilson. Thank you, everybody. I made it through.