You can do it - My path of getting into the Uni I wanted (LL.M) - and a few motivational quotes

That's what I'm talking about ! You go girl ! 

One year ago, I was about to end my Master 1, enjoy summer holiday, and enter in Master 2. I thought I would then enter the bilingual IP and Competition Law LL.M at my University, and then probably look for a job at a law firm. 

My plans didn't change much, actually. Just one thing changed : I didn't enroll at the LL.M here, in my Uni. Indeed, a few month ago, I got my acceptance letter for another LL.M, at another University. Still in my small little country, so not far from where I live. But it feels like things got totally different. Like there is a taste of novelty, adventure. And pride, as this is a really good - far better - Uni. 

I live not so far from that place, but a year ago, I never went there. I decided to enroll for Dutch summer classes, and it happened to be at that University. So I rented a place with my boyfriend, who also enrolled, for a month. Just one month.  I loved it. I had an amazing time and I learned a lot, but the one thing I clearly remember was that feeling that I didn't want to leave that place. I loved it so much. 

A bit of a OTH - emotional moment, please. This show really has the best quotes

Then I went back to my life, the Master 2 started. I had a feeling like choosing to do my LL.M at my Uni might not be such a good idea, and I asked my teacher for advice. He agreed : it might be better if I went somewhere else. They suggested some programs, but they were far too expensive for me and one thing was clear : I didn't want to get a loan. I'm lucky enough to live in a country where education is quite cheap, and it's not usual for us to go in debt to pay for tuition fee. My parents were against the idea, and quite frankly, I agreed.  So I started to look for a program that would suit me : a good level of education (otherwise it's pointless to do an LL.M), not too expensive, and if possible a place from where I could come back home (and to my boyfriend) by train. I found it. At the University where I had the Dutch classes. The program was simply perfect (International and European Business Law), the Uni world renowned, and even if it was (way) more expensive than some of the other programs I spotted, it stayed affordable. The problem was the process to get admitted.   

For me, that road had to be between railway stations

The Uni asked for a 7.5 band score at the IELTS test, 3 letters of recommendation from your teachers, good grades in addition to the usual statement of purpose etc. I got scared - I already had a lot of things to do to finish my master, including 8 exams (in which you could find 3 really-really-big ones), two international moot court competitions and an internship. And then I got in Warrior Mode. I was gonna do it. I could do it. At least, I was gonna try my best to get what I wanted. 

It wasn't an easy process. There were tears and breakdowns involved. There were moments of despair, and doubts, where I checked other programs and considered changing paths. Did I really wanna study that ? Should I consider a program that would allow me to get an easier job afterwards ? What if I didn't score the 7.5 ? What if that teacher doesn't send me the promised letter before the deadline ? Do I really wanna impose such a cost to my parents ? All those questions were obsessing me sometimes. And then, I reminded myself that doubt is normal, but that as long as I didn't know the answer I should keep trying. 

My mantra during a few months 

Then, one random day, after I finished sending all of the papers and the last (fourth, coz' I was so scared that the teacher wouldn't send the letter in time that I asked another teacher) letter of recommendation was sent, I got an e-mail. An e-mail saying that I was "conditionally accepted" to the LL.M.  "All I had to do" was to get the 7.5 band score, and an average cum laude grade at my Master (the two years reunited).   I cried of happiness, even if it was one of the moments where I seriously considered enrolling to another Master (cheaper), in another city (even closer to home), in Tax Law.  I was so happy that I was shaking when I called my parents to tell them. My boyfriend told me "I think, with your reaction, that you have your answer. You should go there". 

True story !

Then started the pressure of the IELTS test, as I had to take it a few days after coming back from Sweden where the Moot Court took place. I had no time to prepare, and 7.5 is quite a huge score (Universities in England like King's College only ask for 7, to get the idea).  The grades weren't really a problem as I got a pretty high score for my Master 1 and my Winter semester finals.  Quite frankly, I was pretty sure I failed the IELTS after the exam as the writing part involved some energy-pollution scheme, and I didn't even know it was that before my friend, who took it the same day as I did, explained it to me.  And then, while I was doing my internship, I woke up in the morning and checked my results. I did it. Just 7.5.  I will always remember the feeling when I saw the grade on the website.  "It's done. I'm going there. All of that hard work paid off. I FREAKING DID IT". 

And now, that city I fell in love with, that I didn't even know one year ago, will be my home - for at least one year.  

My face full of tears felt the same way 

This is my story. But it can be yours. I didn't get into Harvard Law School, but it sure as hell felt like it when I got my letter.  Do what you want. You CAN do it. You just have to fight for it, even when you doubt, even when you feel like you are not enough. I am an average student (not the best, not the worst) at a random University (you certainly won't find my Uni in the first pages of the QS Ranking). I am not better than you. I just put my fear of failure and my insecurities in my pocket (still with me, just not blinding me), and went for it. I did everything I could, even when I was tired, even when I didn't feel like it, even when the process seemed endless and when I felt like it was over and hopeless. Never give up. Fight for it. Express your fears to the ones you love, but listen when they tell you you can do it. Because you can.

Literally got this printed and framed