I know you are all use to some uproariously funny article at this point in the paper, but as I have told you time and again, my being editor means that I get to write whatever I want, whenever I want. And, cognizant of the fact that this is my last ever article for the UV, I thought that perhaps this is the time to write about something more important than bottles and models. Quickly, I’d like to thank my loyal readers (Hi Lauren! Hi Aditya!) Now, if you will indulge me, I’d like to share some of my favourite memories of my time here, and more importantly, hope to convince you to do what you can to make these the best years of your life.
Get Involved
Admittedly, my involvement in the school this year has been limited contributing to this paper at the very last minute of deadlines, usually after much cajoling and abuse from Brownie. But it wasn’t always that way. Over the years, I’ve tried to get involved in the school in as many different ways I could, and the more I did, the more the school meant to me. And though I joke, working on UV this year was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I hope that, even in 3L, some of you next year will be able to find ways to get involved in any way possible.
Get Tipsy
Well, you don’t actually have to. But, the weekly pub nights and parties are one of the things that sets us apart from other law schools. And though this year I skipped more than I made, I can proudly say that in 1L, myself and only one other student (as far as I know) did not miss a single pub night. Osgoode has a pub night once a month; other law schools never have them. And it’s not about getting drunk, as my byline advises – it’s about meeting people you may not talk to in class or through sports. Some of the most interesting conversations I’ve had with people occurred over late night food after pub nights or parties
Get Out
I’m not telling you to sod off. What I’m saying is that in your third year, you should take every opportunity to get away on the weekends – this might be the last time in your life you will have 3 or 4 day weekends with almost no responsibility. You don’t need to take big expensive trips to Europe, because there is so much to see and do on this amazing continent of ours. In the last 6 months alone, I have been stuck in a snowstorm in northern Michigan; partied like crazy at Law Games in Vancouver, and partied even harder with the Winnipeg Jets in Winnipeg; had a turducken dinner in Erie, Pennsylvania; and fed seals in Victoria, BC, four weeks after petting Kentucky Derby winners in Lexington, Kentucky. I’m writing these words on a plane, which the onboard map tells me is currently somewhere over Saskatchewan.
My favourite memory of the last 6 months was pulling over on Highway 1 on Remembrance Day somewhere in western Manitoba for a minute of silence. Looking out over the vast prairie, and thinking of all of those who gave their lives our country, was a memory unlike any other I’ve ever had. It was something I would never have expected doing –driving from Toronto to Calgary in three days is not your usual travel plan, but if I hadn’t said yes to it, I would never have that moment I will take with me forever. In 3L, I decided this would be my year to say “yes” to every interesting idea and proposal. I encourage you to do the same thing -you will not regret it, trust me.
In your last years in law school, you have the opportunity to both make a meaningful difference and to partake in unique experiences you may never have imagined having. I have been so lucky to go to this school and meet all the wonderful and interesting characters that have come through here. I just hope that you can take the opportunity to make these the best years of your life, and leave loving this school as much as I do.
