Why Lawrence is the best place to live while going to law school

While exploring law school options, you will hear a lot about the towns the law schools reside in. In fact, you have likely already heard some things about Lawrence, Kansas. You probably heard the cost of living is affordable, and the commute from Kansas City is doable. I want to fill you in on the things that you don’t always hear about when considering a move to Lawrence to attend KU Law. The “best kept secrets” if you will!

Savannah Lucas

1. Lawrence has a TON of grocery stores

This one is really important to me. As a gluten-free-gal who loves to cook, I sometimes find myself going to more than one grocery store to get everything I need. Thankfully, Lawrence has a ton of options, ranging from health conscious and local to highly affordable.

If you don’t believe me about the number of grocery stores: there are FOUR Dillion’s in this town, a Hy-Vee, the Merc Co-op, Sprouts, Natural Grocers, Aldi, Checkers, Target and Walmart. Not to mention the Tuesday and Saturday Farmers’ Markets and four international grocers. Whatever your grocery shopping needs, we likely have a grocery option to meet them.

2. Plenty of outdoor space to blow off steam when not studying

If I am not in class or studying, you will likely find me on a run or bike ride in Lawrence. Not only is the area surrounding campus highly walkable/bikeable, but the city also boasts a ton of trails and parks. I love running the Levee Trail across the river and the trails at Rock Chalk Park.

If you have a furry friend, the dog park near Clinton Lake is a popular spot. Professor Laura J. Hines is a big advocate of getting fresh air as a study break, and you will find plenty of space to do so in Lawrence!

3. The Lawrence Arts Center and Lawrence Public Library

Downtown Lawrence has plenty of shopping and restaurants to check out in your free time, but if you want to lean into the arts community, check out the Lawrence Arts Center. The center hosts a variety of classes including ceramics and oil painting. If your version of blowing off steam involves creativity, this is the place for you! The center also features exhibits by local artists that are open to the public.

Lawrence Public Library

Downtown Lawrence is also home to the Lawrence Public Library (LPL). It is easy to check out or place books on hold using the LPL website. You can also use a smartphone app to check out audiobooks. I love this app because it allows me to listen to my latest read while running. The KU campus library system (including our own Wheat Law Library) are great study spaces, but I know I can find the latest Sally Rooney novel at the LPL!

4. The Lawrence Police Scanner Facebook Page

Stay safe in Lawrence AND entertained while you’re catching up on local events. If you don’t know what I am talking about, email me and I’ll invite you to the Facebook page!

-By Savannah Lucas, a 2L from Leavenworth and a KU Law Student Ambassador

Studying for your first law school exam

Taking a law school exam is a daunting task, but the lead-up is perhaps even more stressful than the actual exam. Everyone studies differently, but over the years, I’ve learned a few tips that can help prepare you for your very first law school exam or any law school exam. I’ll be focusing on the last week or two leading up to finals.

James Schmidt

First, use your time efficiently. By this, I mean have a set plan for studying for each exam. Since you know when your exams will be, set out a schedule for when you’ll study for each. Beyond setting a schedule, have a plan of how you are going to study.

My typical routine includes spending the first few days ensuring I haven’t missed anything in my outline. This includes discussing the material with classmates, looking through my notes and any materials the professor has provided. After I’ve ensured my outline is thorough, I do as many practice questions as possible to improve my issue spotting.

It’s important to remember that you don’t need to have information memorized for most law school exams. You need to be able to spot the issue. Once you’ve spotted the issue, your outline will carry you across the finish line.

Second, study with a classmate. When I’m studying, I find it very helpful to talk about complex concepts with a classmate. This way, instead of just spinning your wheels, you have the help of someone who may understand the concept better than you. I’d also recommend not hesitating to contact your professors to clear anything up that you have trouble understanding.

Finally, take a break! I typically limit my studying to 6-8 hours a day during finals. Go to a movie, go to the gym, go out to dinner with friends — do something to distract yourself from finals. Studying is important but resting your mind after studying for a few hours is equally as important.  Take plenty of breaks and do things you enjoy to lower your stress levels.

These are just a few of the things that I’ve done to survive law school exams. Everyone studies differently, but KU Law offers tons of resources to fit your style and help you understand the material. The professors are always willing to answer questions, and our library offers free study guides and quizzes for just about every subject area. Law school exams are stressful, but a few things have worked for me to make them a tad bit easier.

–By James Schmidt, a 3L from Houston, Texas and a KU Law Student Ambassador

Procrastinate procrastinating, from a procrastinator

Last week was Law Student Mental Health Awareness Week, and it got me thinking about my mental health and how I’ve managed the stress of law school over the last two years.

A topic that came to mind as I was beginning the process of writing this blog post was procrastination. If you’re like me, you don’t struggle with procrastination. You’re actually very good at it!

3L KU Law Ambassador Lexi Christopher

We somehow find productive things to do rather than the tasks we know we should be doing. We’ll reorganize the pantry, we’ll go for a long run, we may even research the psychology behind procrastinating … while procrastinating.

It starts off fun, but as the deadline gets closer, the fun starts to dissipate and the panic begins to set in. You get mad at yourself for procrastinating, question why you do this to yourself every time, and swear you’ll never do it again.

So why do we do it? Are we really just lazy?

As it turns out, procrastinators aren’t lazy. However, that is one of the most common myths surrounding procrastination. Procrastination isn’t about avoiding work, but avoiding the negative feelings that beginning a task may conjure up, such as feelings of incompetency, insecurity, fear of failure, or anxiety. By putting that task aside, those negative emotions are put aside for just a little while longer.

But there’s hope! As finals are approaching and our time becomes more and more valuable, there are some tactics we can implement to help us procrastinate procrastinating and improve our mental health.

Start by being kinder to yourself about your past procrastination. Forgive yourself. Research shows that students who forgave themselves for their past procrastination in studying for exams are less likely to procrastinate in preparing for their next exam. Be aware of how you talk to yourself about your work ethic. Remember, you aren’t just lazy!

Next, begin to be strategic with how you spend your time. Make a plan for your week and schedule time to do the things that are most important. Coming up with a system for yourself will set you up for success instead of relying on what you know you “should” be doing for motivation.

Breaking down a task into smaller parts and setting individual deadlines will help a project feel less intimidating while giving you a sense of success in completing each small task. Be intentional in creating a healthy relationship with deadlines. Do your best to set realistic expectations for yourself but remember to forgive yourself when things don’t work out exactly as planned.

-By Lexi Christopher, a 3L from Denver and a KU Law Ambassador

My study break: Finding motivation in movies

Since beginning law school, several of my professors have referenced or played clips of movies in class that somehow related to the material we were discussing. Law school isn’t always about getting cold-called! 

In Contracts, Professor Platt played a clip from The Paper Chase when we talked about the famous “hairy hand” case. Professor Mulligan used A Civil Action to reference important rules in Civil Procedure we were learning. (It’s also an award-winning book. Though, I admit I haven’t found the time to read it yet). And on the first day of Evidence this summer, Professor Leben showed a clip from Fracture where a chilling Anthony Hopkins, accused of shooting his wife, says, “If I can’t introduce something in court as evidence … it doesn’t exist legally.” 

Since I had never seen any of these movies, I decided to use my study breaks this weekend to watch them. Here are some of my thoughts. Caution: spoilers ahead.  

First, The Paper Chase begins with the main character, Hart, being unprepared to answer a cold call on the first day of Contracts at Harvard Law. He admits he didn’t know he had an assignment, and the stern professor expresses his disappointment. Hart is so upset about this interaction he gets sick after class. Not a great way to start law school. 

Although cold-calling is a common occurrence in my classes, the professors at KU Law are not as intimidating as Hart’s. Instead, the professors at KU want everyone to learn and succeed and are always available to answer questions. Also, unlike the professor in the movie, the professors at KU try to get to know their students. 

My favorite scene came at the very end, when Hart received his grades in the mail (yes, in snail mail — it was 1973). Instead of opening them, he makes a paper airplane out of the envelope and sends it into the ocean. I liked this message because it can be easy to get sucked into believing your performance in law school defines you. But it doesn’t. Everyone here is so much more than their grades.  

In A Civil Action, John Travolta plays a hotshot personal injury lawyer who takes a case against a few large companies responsible for contaminating the water supply in a small Massachusetts town. Initially excited about the prospect of garnering a big paycheck out of a future settlement agreement, his motives change when he gets to know the families who have been affected by the contamination. 

Collage of: A Civil Action, Fracture and The Paper Chase movie posters.

At the end of the film, Travolta and his associates go their separate ways as he now realizes his motivations for being a lawyer no longer revolve around monetary gain. A Civil Action offers a lesson to prospective lawyers to always take time to reflect on their motivations. 

You might want to become a lawyer to make a lot of money, and that’s OK. You might also become a lawyer because you want to work for those who cannot reimburse you, and that’s also OK. But taking time to understand your motivations might help guide you into different areas of law.

Finally, in Fracture, a young prosecutor (Ryan Gosling) goes toe-to-toe with a wealthy businessman (Anthony Hopkins) arrested for attempting to murder his wife. What seems to initially be a foolproof conviction quickly turns sour as it becomes apparent that Hopkins has ingeniously plotted this murder to avoid being found guilty. Just when it seems that Hopkins has won, Gosling finds a new way to get Hopkins. 

What is there to take away from this movie? Don’t mess with lawyers. They know the law better than you.

-By Helen Phillips, a 2L from Overland Park and a KU Law Student Ambassador

Visiting Scholar Spotlight: Hilal Lale Ayhan Izmirli

Five questions with Hilal Lale Ayhan Izmirli, Visiting Scholar from Turkey

Visiting scholar Hilal Lale Ayhan Izmirli from Ankara, Turkey, joins the University of Kansas School of Law for the fall 2021 semester.

A member of the law faculty at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University in Turkey, Ayhan Izmirli specializes in international private law, arbitration law and fundamental concepts of law.

During her time in Lawrence, Ayhan Izmirli will continue her research on the legal aspects of international countertrade.

Photo of Hilal Lale Ayhan Izmirli.

Why did you choose to study at KU Law? How did you learn about our program and establish contact? 

It was a very nice coincidence. I was looking for a visiting scholar opportunity abroad in the field of international trade law for my post-doctoral study. One of my friends (who was a visiting scholar at KU Law a couple of years ago) told me about Professor Raj Bhala. I already knew Professor Bhala from his books, articles and other studies. I sent him an email and asked if he could supervise me. I was fortunate he accepted the responsibility of being my faculty shepherd, and now I have the opportunity to study at KU Law. I have been here for just two weeks, and I have met other outstanding professors and very nice administrative staff. I am very happy to be here, and I am thankful to KU Law and TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) for providing the scholarship for my research.

What are your professional goals for your time at KU Law? What will be your next career step after your time here? 

I would like to collect related resources, finish my research and (hopefully) publish my work after going back to my country. Afterward, I will keep studying in this field, utilizing the academic experience and knowledge I gained here at KU Law.

How does the academic and research environment at KU Law differ from your home institution? 

From the external point of view, the academic and research environment at KU is similar to Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, School of Law. However, there are a lot of differences in detail. First of all, this experience gives me the opportunity to get to know the U.S. legal system, which is quite different from Turkey’s legal system. I believe this kind of opportunity is valuable for the unique academic perspective.

What are your favorite things about Lawrence? What about your home do you miss the most? 

The thing I like the most about Lawrence is its calmness. It is so peaceful and calm here that I already feel comfortable and relaxed after my first week. My children and I like to watch the squirrels pacing around (which is not common in Turkey). We also enjoy feeding them. In addition, I particularly like the large, green and airy parks. On the other hand, I miss my extended family and friends in Turkey, but I know that is very natural. I try to make the most of my time here at KU Law.

What advice would you offer to other scholars who may want to do research abroad? 

First, I recommend they examine every single opportunity while setting their steps for their academic target. Studying abroad contributes to their academic improvement. Secondly, it is wonderful for networking, especially if they want to work in the field of international or comparative law. Lastly, apart from academic research, this kind of experience can expand their world perspective and lead to self-improvement. Learning about another culture while you are immersed in it gives you valuable insight which cannot be discovered by reading a book. I think that means a lot. It leads to more understanding between people. At the end of the day, it contributes to a better world.

Visiting Scholar Spotlight: Sardorbek Yusupov

Sardorbek Yusupov standing outside Green Hall

Five questions with Sardorbek Yusupov, Visiting Scholar from Uzbekistan

Sardorbek Yusupov, a legal scholar and law professor from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a visiting scholar at the University of Kansas School of Law for the fall 2021 semester.

Yusupov serves as an associate professor and head in the Department of Administrative and Financial Law at the Tashkent State University of Law, located in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. At Tashkent State University of Law, he currently teaches courses such as Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, Financial Law, and Soft Skills for Lawyers.

Yusupov is participating in KU Law’s overseas visiting scholars program as a fellow in the Faculty Enrichment Program administered by the American Councils for International Education.

Why did you choose to study at KU Law? How did you learn about our program and establish contact?

First of all, I am very happy and excited to be studying at the KU School of Law.

I am very happy that the teachers and administration staff of the university are helping me. I thank the American Councils for International Education for helping me with this process. The reason is that I won a grant by participating in my own project under the Faculty Enrichment Program announced by the American Councils. As a result, I had the opportunity to study at this university.

I am here to further develop my professional potential and learn about the management style of teachers, their teaching, organization of trainings, methods of student assessment, observation of simulation lessons, how to analyze the judicial process among students, and the activities of the legal clinic. I want to study how it is organized and basically how the university operates in a self-financing system and collect information about the process of raising and distributing funds.

What are your professional goals for your time at KU Law? What will be your next career step after your time here?

Through this, I want to publish an article and continue my work using the experience I have gained at my university when I return to my homeland. The reason is that the university is one of the universities that has moved us to a self-financing system. However, this field is still new in our country. So, I want to put this area, the experience I gained through KU and the KU School of Law, into practice.

How does the academic and research environment at KU Law differ from your home institution?

Most of the academic and research situations at the KU School of Law are similar to my university. Both universities have created adequate facilities. However, one of the main differences at KU is the abundance of scientific work resources, their sufficiency, and abilities to help the researcher through the library, the ability to quickly find the literature you want. I think for me, such situations will be an experience to develop scientific research as well at my 30-year-old university, which celebrates its foundation in one month with the Independence Day of my lovely country.

What are your favorite things about Lawrence? What about your home do you miss most?

I liked Lawrence very much because it has very beautiful, spectacular views. There are also several opportunities for everyone and for students. I especially liked the suitable transportation system on campus, which serves to transport students to different places. The parks in Lawrence are of particular importance. I really liked taking the opportunity to go there. It has a peaceful atmosphere for reading a book and meeting friendly, generous people.

Everything is enough here. But I miss my family, my children so much. It is bothering me without them. Yes, of course, the next one is my motherland.

What advice would you offer to scholars who want to do research abroad?

Firstly, I would advise other researchers to learn foreign languages and get a good understanding of the cultures and customs of the countries which they want to study. They must clearly define their purpose and their plans of research and gather necessary information about it. I would ask them to be able to share their scientific research with others in the future. I would also ask them to never stop researching and striving.