Academics
Student: Law School Strikes 'Balance Between Competition and Congeniality'
When deciding to go to law school, many of the people I consulted told me of the cutthroat practices among law students: classmates ripping pages out of casebooks, destroying each other’s class notes and giving false answers in study sessions. It was with apprehension I began establishing my…
Recovering Liberal Arts Major: Law School Teaching Me ‘How To Actually be Useful to People’
Liberal arts majors are among the worst kinds of people. I can say that because I am one. We think we know so much because of our well-rounded education, and we “just love learning” and don’t really have a life goal but “definitely want to help people.” For four years, I perfected the ivory tower…
Keeping it together: Surviving my first semester as a law school parent
When I made the decision to go back to school, I knew it wouldn’t be easy: I’m also the mother of two boys, ages four and six. Making the decision to head back into school is a huge one, and I am eternally grateful to those that shared advice with me, so here are a few things that have worked for…
FROM KANSAS TO THE WORLD: The Cutting Edge of Environmental Law
From the moment I submitted my law school applications, I have been certain of one thing: I want to practice environmental law. What I did not know when I first arrived at Green Hall in 2010 is just how much I would be exposed to cutting-edge issues in environmental law and climate change. Last…
Apple of His Eye: On Achieving Harmony with the iPhone
I wake up before my alarm goes off and lie in bed as the warm air blows gently across me. I stand up and trot over to the blinds to see if the weather corresponds to its forecast. Yes, another sunny day at 65 degrees. Great mornings like these help me start my day off right, even if the day ahead…
You’ve Been Admitted…Is KU Law Right for You?
Sunny skies and blooming trees welcomed potential students from near and far to Green Hall for the Admitted Students Open House. Admitted students attended from states across the country, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas. If you were one of them, you hopefully have a…
A Day in the Life of a 1L
Day in the Life is a three-part series following a 1L, 2L and 3L through a typical day of law school. The series opens today with 1L Michele Kraak. 6:30 Monday morning My first alarm goes off. I don’t have class until 9:15, but I’m a snooze button abuser and I always like to start my day…
Work-Life Balance Keeps First-Year Student Sane
In law school, there’s a saying that goes: “The first year, they scare you to death; the second year, they work you to death; and the third year, they bore you to death.” As a first year, I can’t personally speak for two-thirds of that statement, but I can definitely attest to the first portion.…
A Day in the Life of a 2L
Day in the Life is a three-part series following a 1L, 2L and 3L through a typical day of law school. The second installment is written by 2L Andy Stein.7:15 a.m. The soothing tones of Incubus’ “Aqueous Transmission” emanate from my phone and awake me from my always-deep slumber. It’s important to…
Legal Education: A Positive Outlook in an Uncertain Time
What do Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln all have in common? Among other things, they were all lawyers. These three political figures have arguably done more for social justice than anyone else in history. However, it might not have been that way had they not been legally trained…