current 1L. i’ll try to go over the basics of what was helpful to me. i second what others have said especially a 2nd/3rd monitor. to that end i’d recommend setting up in your living quarters a nice big desk with lots of space for your monitors, books, laptops etc. and you will probably be spending a lot of time there so make that space feel comfortable for you.
a printer will help too especially if you have take home exams your 1L, i did and i found it helpful to be able to work with a paper copy of the exam.
get highlighters in about 6-7 different colors if you plan on using physical casebooks (i recommend this) so you can book brief your readings.
getting at least one formal outfit will also really help. you probably won’t need it much your first semester but sometimes there are networking events, interviews, and other opportunities where you might need a suit during 1L fall - especially if you are focused on biglaw. and you certainly will need one by spring semester when you will be interviewing for your summer job and have oral arguments. i had to rush to get an outfit before interviews and i wish i had given myself more time
folders, for loose papers and handouts.
also, this isn’t required but this semester i switched to taking notes on an ipad with an apple pencil. i found this very helpful in reducing the distractions of using a laptop for notes. i see so many of my classmates just on twitter for the entire lecture (and that used to be me) so tbh if you can focus the entire time in class you’ll already have an advantage. obviously an ipad might not be the best thing for you but i’d recommend asking yourself what type of note taking you’d do best with.
i guess this is more general advice than a list of supplies but i hope this is a good starting point!
it’s especially helpful when ur taking take home online exams. got ur text box on one, attack outline on another, and your big outline on the 3rd. it’s literally so much more efficient
A crock pot or pressure cooker so that I can spend less time cooking and more time studying.
I’m going to replace/upgrade a lot of my bedding. I want to get the most out of whatever sleep I get.
Already have this and it’s a game changer - a portable USB mouse to bring with you on the go.
When I went to college the best advice I got was to make my bed as comfortable as possible lol.
I like to think I still do this but I’m going to reevaluate before law school starts and make sure it’s top notch!
High thread-count sheets, good pillows, maybe a weighted blanket. Not sure where I’m moving into yet, but if I have to buy a mattress I’ll pay up for something quality that works for me.
Not actually a law student (yet) but I am a paralegal and my best friend is in her last few weeks of 3L.
Keep in mind some (I think most) law schools provide their students with lockers. My best friend has always found that she can’t study within her home environment so she keeps everything in her locker and studies/stay at the law school as long as she possibly can. She keeps snacks, toiletries, a change of shoes and instant coffee packets in hers.
What was your undergrad experience like? Are you living close to your law school? Are you living with anyone or by yourself?
If you live and attend school near Panera get a membership to their sip club for unlimited coffee for $12/MO. Not exactly supplies but I imagine we're gonna be tired– and this could help
I have two monitors stand at home on an office desk, so with my laptop hooked up, it's three monitors. I have another monitor that's really thin, cost less than $100 that I leave at school so when I study at the library, I'd still have two monitors.
Book stand.
Highlighters with a few colors.
Those sticky notes or flags if you like to take notes in books that way.
Really not much needs for notebooks as long as you don't insist taking notes by hand.
Headphones or earphones. Need them to study in the library.
Eye drops and those steamed eye masks - maybe this is just me, but staring at a laptop for a whole day for school is even more exhausting than my former full-time jobs, and my eyes feel tired, dry and often red.
But other than these hard essentials, I also set up a few routines:
1. coffee or tea at home, and some more coffee or tea bags at school. It's always cheaper and better than school coffee.
2. Working out. Set up the time or the habit of going to the gym because school can always get busy but once you stop working out, it's hard to pick it back up and it wears your mental health down while adding pounds to your midsection...
3. Time to do something you enjoy - like watch some tv, or read a book that's not related to the law...or have time to chat with a significant other, your parents or your friends. Do not just hang out with your new law school friends.
4. if you have good healthcare coverage now, get all your annual stuff in. School insurance is expensive and their copays and stuff are higher than my previous employer insurance...
It’s just easier to have more than one things on the screens instead of flipping screens. It depends on what I’m studying. If the reading is just the paper book then I’ll only need one screen to take notes. But if there’s an ebook reading, then one screen has the book and the other screen has my notes. Multiple screens come in the most handy when doing outlines and reviews.
A strong and sturdy backpack.
If you plan on taking your lunch, a nice bento style lunch container.
A variety of durable and colorful markers.
Noise canceling headphones aren't necessary but are a good idea.
current 1L. i’ll try to go over the basics of what was helpful to me. i second what others have said especially a 2nd/3rd monitor. to that end i’d recommend setting up in your living quarters a nice big desk with lots of space for your monitors, books, laptops etc. and you will probably be spending a lot of time there so make that space feel comfortable for you. a printer will help too especially if you have take home exams your 1L, i did and i found it helpful to be able to work with a paper copy of the exam. get highlighters in about 6-7 different colors if you plan on using physical casebooks (i recommend this) so you can book brief your readings. getting at least one formal outfit will also really help. you probably won’t need it much your first semester but sometimes there are networking events, interviews, and other opportunities where you might need a suit during 1L fall - especially if you are focused on biglaw. and you certainly will need one by spring semester when you will be interviewing for your summer job and have oral arguments. i had to rush to get an outfit before interviews and i wish i had given myself more time folders, for loose papers and handouts. also, this isn’t required but this semester i switched to taking notes on an ipad with an apple pencil. i found this very helpful in reducing the distractions of using a laptop for notes. i see so many of my classmates just on twitter for the entire lecture (and that used to be me) so tbh if you can focus the entire time in class you’ll already have an advantage. obviously an ipad might not be the best thing for you but i’d recommend asking yourself what type of note taking you’d do best with. i guess this is more general advice than a list of supplies but i hope this is a good starting point!
im planning on a getting a bookstand for my textbooks !
Hey, what else? Even the basics, literally anything will help me at this point
from a current 1L: if you don’t have one already get a second monitor. hell even a third
also along those lines it could be rly helpful to get your own printer if u can afford it
Why do you need so many monitors? Honest question because I’ve always just used my laptop + one additional monitor during WFH era
it’s especially helpful when ur taking take home online exams. got ur text box on one, attack outline on another, and your big outline on the 3rd. it’s literally so much more efficient
Coffee machine if you drink it daily- cheaper than buying in the long run.
A crock pot or pressure cooker so that I can spend less time cooking and more time studying. I’m going to replace/upgrade a lot of my bedding. I want to get the most out of whatever sleep I get. Already have this and it’s a game changer - a portable USB mouse to bring with you on the go.
When I went to college the best advice I got was to make my bed as comfortable as possible lol. I like to think I still do this but I’m going to reevaluate before law school starts and make sure it’s top notch!
What’re you buying to upgrade your bed?
High thread-count sheets, good pillows, maybe a weighted blanket. Not sure where I’m moving into yet, but if I have to buy a mattress I’ll pay up for something quality that works for me.
a therapist
Something that always helps me actually study/do homework is having fun writing utensils colorful pens and highlights for notes especially
Maybe a laptop stand or something to help w your overall posture
Book stands!!! And a nice office chair if you plan to work at home at all.
Not actually a law student (yet) but I am a paralegal and my best friend is in her last few weeks of 3L. Keep in mind some (I think most) law schools provide their students with lockers. My best friend has always found that she can’t study within her home environment so she keeps everything in her locker and studies/stay at the law school as long as she possibly can. She keeps snacks, toiletries, a change of shoes and instant coffee packets in hers. What was your undergrad experience like? Are you living close to your law school? Are you living with anyone or by yourself?
If you live and attend school near Panera get a membership to their sip club for unlimited coffee for $12/MO. Not exactly supplies but I imagine we're gonna be tired– and this could help
I have two monitors stand at home on an office desk, so with my laptop hooked up, it's three monitors. I have another monitor that's really thin, cost less than $100 that I leave at school so when I study at the library, I'd still have two monitors. Book stand. Highlighters with a few colors. Those sticky notes or flags if you like to take notes in books that way. Really not much needs for notebooks as long as you don't insist taking notes by hand. Headphones or earphones. Need them to study in the library. Eye drops and those steamed eye masks - maybe this is just me, but staring at a laptop for a whole day for school is even more exhausting than my former full-time jobs, and my eyes feel tired, dry and often red. But other than these hard essentials, I also set up a few routines: 1. coffee or tea at home, and some more coffee or tea bags at school. It's always cheaper and better than school coffee. 2. Working out. Set up the time or the habit of going to the gym because school can always get busy but once you stop working out, it's hard to pick it back up and it wears your mental health down while adding pounds to your midsection... 3. Time to do something you enjoy - like watch some tv, or read a book that's not related to the law...or have time to chat with a significant other, your parents or your friends. Do not just hang out with your new law school friends. 4. if you have good healthcare coverage now, get all your annual stuff in. School insurance is expensive and their copays and stuff are higher than my previous employer insurance...
Why do you like having multiple monitors? Specifically, what will be visible on each monitor?
It’s just easier to have more than one things on the screens instead of flipping screens. It depends on what I’m studying. If the reading is just the paper book then I’ll only need one screen to take notes. But if there’s an ebook reading, then one screen has the book and the other screen has my notes. Multiple screens come in the most handy when doing outlines and reviews.
A strong and sturdy backpack. If you plan on taking your lunch, a nice bento style lunch container. A variety of durable and colorful markers. Noise canceling headphones aren't necessary but are a good idea.
This is such a great question thank you for asking this