It’s no secret that law school is hard. In fact, it is the hardest academic work I have ever done. However, I absolutely love law school. I have my moments (everyone does) where I feel overwhelmed or stunted by all of the new concepts and language introduced in class, but most days I leave Green Hall feeling both happy and capable. I attribute my love for this journey to the approach I’ve taken to school. I call myself a type-B law student. By that, I mean that when it’s all said and done, I treat myself like a person – not a lawyer in the making. I do things that make me happy and feel like myself, sometimes at the expense of a reading or an hour of outlining. I may be biased, but I am of the opinion that Lawrence is the perfect place to be a type-B law student, and I’m happy to share some of the places I go and things I get up to so that I can be the best person and student that I can. 

Outdoor Activities:

I love the outdoors, and there are plenty of beautiful days to linger in Lawrence. Some of my favorite places to walk and hike are the Baker Wetlands and Clinton Lake. Trust me – these two spots are beautiful. I also enjoy walking from campus or my apartment to Massachusetts Street. Sometimes I’ll walk down there for coffee, other times I’ll just walk to walk. I also keep a picnic blanket in the back of my car. If the weather is nice enough, I’ll set up my picnic blanket at South Park or even just on my deck to enjoy the sun. 

Recreational Activities:

I find that exercise is one of the most therapeutic activities as a law student. I frequent Rock Chalk Park, as I played in the indoor coed volleyball league at the beginning of the semester. Ambler Student Rec Center has intramural sports seasonally, but if you’re looking to make non-KU friends and play at a more or less competitive level, consider Rock Chalk Park. For working out, I love Ambler SRFC. I go almost every day, even for just a short while. It’s a great gym, and your membership is included in your Wellness Student Fee. However, I have heard from fellow students that Planet Fitness is a great option if you’re looking for a gym that is a little bit less busy, though it does cost around $15 a month for a basic membership.

Local Businesses (Food/Coffee/Miscellaneous):

One thing I’ve learned about Lawrence – there are plenty of small businesses to support. Some of my favorite local coffee shops include Sunflower Cafe and Bike Shop, 1900 Barker/Barker on Mass, La Prima Tazza and Cellar Door. There are also plenty of places to grab food. I love Ladybird Diner, The Mad Greek and Latchkey Deli. I also love cooking, and I find that the best place to grab produce and other ingredients is Checkers. Checkers is an awesome local grocery store with the best selection to choose from. 

I would lastly like to shout out the Lawrence Public Library. If I have the time, I try to read books that have nothing to do with the law. The best place to grab books from is LPL. If I’m not checking out a book, I am always picking up a couple of CDs to play at home. It’s how I broaden my music taste without spending unnecessary time on my phone. 

Whatever you do, be sure to explore Lawrence. You won’t regret it!

– Paige Fitzpatrick is a 1L KU Law Student Ambassador from San Antonio, Texas