One of the many helpful pieces of advice regarding law school is to be prepared. This is as much about being prepared for your classes and exams as it is about being physically prepared with what you need to thrive at school.
As a law school student, you’ll spend countless hours in classes and on studying. Having all your necessary items close at hand will help you make the most of your time, wherever you are. Besides carrying around your absolute essentials, such as medications, toiletries, your wallet and phone, here is a quick list of items to also consider for your law school bag.
The law school bag (and locker)
A comfortable and well-organized backpack or briefcase is essential. It doesn’t matter what brand or what it looks like, as long as you can trek around campus without hurting your back. Your backpack will carry your laptop, casebooks, charging cable, highlighters and more, so be sure to measure for sizing. Keep in mind, that many law schools will provide you with a locker which can greatly lessen some of your back strain.
Mac or PC
It doesn’t matter. Many law students love a Mac while others greatly prefer a PC. All that matters is that you have a reliable laptop with a good battery. Some people use Chromebooks and iPads or tablets with keyboards. They work well too. Regardless of what you choose, just make sure you check that the device will work with the exam software your school uses. You may also want to opt for an extended warranty so your laptop will survive throughout law school. If cost is a concern, an electronics increase on your 1L loan may help.
Extra power cords
Whether you feel safe with buying one spare power cord or you could really do with having two or more spares, having an extra charger for your laptop will help you never be without power. Ideally, it’s nice to have one power cord for your home base and one to keep in your bag for on the go.
Notebooks
This can come in the form of digital, paper or both. Handwriting your notes will help you better retain information, but utilizing digital notes will give you greater flexibility as you shuffle pages and add new information. If you’re using digital notes, we recommend backing up your notes, so you’ll always have access and never have to worry about a computer crashing.
There are a variety of options for backup storage and note-taking (many with free versions and student discounts such as Google Drive and Office 365 Education). Talk with classmates, review your options and find what works best for your studies.
Pens and highlighters
There is obviously a vast array of options when it comes to pens and highlighters, and really any will work. What’s important here is to find writing tools that are comfortable for your grip and writing style: thick gel pens vs. ultra-fine tip pens vs. erasable pens/highlighters. You’ll also want to consider how you’ll study and scan through your notes. Some students prefer to stick to only one or two highlighter colors while others thrive with a multicolored coding system. If you’re curious about different study styles, don’t hesitate to reach out to other classmates, 2Ls and 3Ls to see their tried-and-true methods.
Organizational compartments
This isn’t a must-have, but something worth considering. Your backpack will most likely have a nice array of pockets and storage compartments. Still, sometimes a little extra organization capability can give you a boost — saving the energy of always trying to find things. An organizational pouch or binder can work almost like a padfolio and carry the items you access the most, such as your weekly schedule/to-do list, handouts needed for class, highlighters and pens, notepads and more.
Bookstands
You might not think of a book stand as one of your go-to study tools, but a bookstand can make it a lot easier to read books without straining your neck. They’re also a great space saver when your desk area is limited in class or at home. Bookstands come in various types, but many law students recommend a foldable/compact version and buying two, one to keep at home and one to keep in your backpack for the classroom or late-night studies in the library.
Water bottles
A reusable (and durable) water bottle is always good to have on hand to keep you fueled and energized throughout the day. A few easy-to-carry snacks are wise to throw in too, just in case your schedule doesn’t line up as planned.
Noise-canceling headphones
Depending on your study style, you might work best with white noise, no noise, soothing classical tunes or blaring rock music. Regardless, being able to optimize and control your noise settings will be a lifesaver for your studies. A pair of noise-canceling headphones are exceptionally helpful in ensuring your study time is productive.
If you’re looking for study strategies, check out our tips for developing your law school note-taking and outlining system.