We’re excited to welcome 1L and valued library employee Arianna Barker as a guest blogger! Also known to thousands online as “Starianna” on TikTok, she documents law school life with creativity, honesty, and a touch of music. Originally from Florida’s Panhandle, Arianna brings a strong commitment to public service, a passion for civil rights, and a belief that law school doesn’t have to come at the expense of creativity.  Below, Arianna shares her experiences in her own words – from her path to UConn Law to building community and creativity through TikTok.

“My name is Arianna Barker, also known as “Starianna“ on TikTok.  I am from the Florida Panhandle. I attended the University of South Florida, where I double-majored in psychology and political science. After graduation, I worked at the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office for two years.

While it is unique to see a Floridian move to Connecticut, a place with a near-opposite climate, I ultimately chose UConn Law because it emphasized community, valued diversity, and supported me with financial aid.

My end goal is to become a civil rights attorney who works for marginalized communities. I am heavily inspired by individuals such as Ben Crump and Bryan Stevenson. Moreover, I grew up in a military family, so I have always felt acquainted with public service and justice.

During my time at UConn Law so far, I have experienced and learned a variety of things. In addition to learning about Bluebook citations and diversity jurisdiction, I learned that law school is not the most creative environment. I learned it doesn’t have to be this way.

When I was younger, I sang at multiple venues and performed in my school’s plays. I have a huge passion for singing and songwriting that I hope to always keep with me, even as a future lawyer.

I started documenting my life, both inside and outside of law school, on TikTok. TikTok has served as both a creative outlet and a community filled with other law school students across the nation. On top of creating content around my life, I also post singing videos. My biggest video to date, with almost 1 million views, is a singing video about the concept of negligence written in the tune of “Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé (my all-time favorite singer!).

As well, I use my TikTok account to share law school admissions resources, since I am a first-generation college/law school student who knows the struggle of navigating resources for law school.

Law school inevitably changes you. It forces you to work harder, study longer, and balance life in a new way. As a creative person, I thought law school would eliminate my creativity. Surprisingly, law school has made me even more creative! I hope to be an example of someone who didn’t give up their passions for law school.”