Life is hard enough, so why not make sure you’re prepared for law school? When I started law school my first year, I realized that I wasn’t an undergraduate student anymore, but I was in school to begin my career. As a law student, your studies become more serious, and all of your time seems to be taken by school. You can choose to be more serious in your lifestyle as well (even though some do not). The way that I personally managed this new stress was by making sure I was prepared for law school and maintaining that type of habit during my daily life.
Here are some of my favorite items that helped me survive my first year of law school! As a law student, this was the first time I was really “on my own.” With trial and error (and great preparation), I found what worked for me throughout my daily life. This post is based completely off of my own opinions and lifestyle. I hope you find some of these items helpful!
**I do not receive a commission from any links on this post!**
A sturdy backpack that will hold ALL the heavy books
If you’re like me and you love to use physical books, you know a sturdy backpack is essential to surviving and being prepared for law school. The weight of those casebooks can surely add up. Even though I do not live far from campus, I always feel like I am carrying a million things, so a reliable backpack is a definite MUST.
I discovered that the people who had all of their casebooks online were always bragging about a light backpack. As time goes on, you will figure out what type of routine works for you and what you want to do. That could even be a mix of both kinds of books, and that’s exactly what I did after my first semester of carrying every book with me everyday.
Personally, I have been a fan of Swiss Gear backpacks because they come in many different sizes and last a long time. They’re great for people always on the move. My mom and I also each have a smaller one that is carryon friendly, comfortable, has tons of pockets, and is overall great for traveling! They’re not the most stylish backpacks per se, but I think their overall functionality and simple look sell it for me.
I see SO many people with Herschel brand backpacks- they are stylish and fit SO MUCH! And yes, it has an interior laptop sleeve. Great for the daily commute to campus with all of those books!
Food storage containers
Food is expensive, but eating take-out is even more expensive. I see many law students eating out everyday! Plus, if you get the food delivered, that adds even more to the price. Personally, I do not have that kind of money, nor do I want to take out more student loans just to pay for daily Starbucks or lunch runs. There are so many ways to eat healthy on a budget, and packing your lunch is a no brainer. That certainly doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy take out once in a while, but your wallet will appreciate the small changes you make in your daily life. Just get some great quality food storage containers, and you’re set! This is the set that I have, and I love them all.
A single cup Keurig K-Mini
Yes, long days spent studying require more than just one cup of coffee, but I couldn’t be happier with my K-Mini! My sister gave one to me before I left for law school. I keep mine at my desk in my room, and I just love it (duh, no sharing with roommates)! The picture below is the exact same color as the one I have.
Pro-tip: start your Keurig right before jumping into the shower each morning (or any other similar morning activity). Your coffee will be the perfect temperature and ready to drink right when you get out. ๐
Travel mugs
Lots of coffee requires a reliable mug. I have to bring coffee with me to school, or I simply cannot make it through the day. Aren’t these so cute? Find what works for you and your lifestyle, but I love having hot coffee ready for a long day in class each day.
An ergonomic chair cushion
Unless you’re fortunate enough to own a full on standing desk, or you just prefer sitting, definitely try out some kind of seat cushion. In law school, expect to be sitting a lot. Of course, you probably won’t lug this thing to school (although I wish I did), but you will be spending so much time outside of class sitting that you will surely need some kind of additional support. Trust me, your body will thank you! I couldn’t go to the chiropractor enough during my first year…
A sturdy bookstand
# 1 tip for being prepared for law school: save your neck and back. The first thing that I noticed when I started law school was how much of an effect the long hours of reading hunched over were having on my neck! After the first week, I had a bookstand delivered to my apartment immediately. Don’t be like me, be prepared. Get your bookstand beforehand!
I use the largest bamboo version because I do most of my reading at home, so it stays on my desk. You can also get a lighter one that fits right in your bag if that’s what works for you.
A standing desk add on!
If you don’t have the budget for a brand new, full-on standing desk, but you still want the benefits of using one, this is a great option for you. As I said above, law school is a lot of sitting. Sometimes, that can really hurt your back (okay, all the time for me). My old job used to have one of these for my desk, and I really wish I had one for my apartment at school! Do yourself a favor and snag one of these before you start law school. This one is relatively cheap ($70 vs. $130) while still providing a great value, but these desk ad-ons can get pricy on a student budget. Trust me, though, your back will thank you for the worth-while investment!
Great walking shoes
Walking has grown to be my favorite activity. You can choose where you go, what you want to see, and for how long you want to be out. It is my favorite way to fit in some daily stress relief and tranquility. I live super close to my law school, so I enjoy walking to and from school when the weather permits.
At a size women’s 11, shoes can be complicated for me. Not all shoes are the same. I have found that quality shoes are a must-have in my life. No negotiation! My latest favorite brand of shoe is Brooks. They have so many colors and combinations. The shoes I have (see below) are specifically running shoes, but I use them mostly for walking. I bought my pair at DSW, which was way cheaper than buying from the brand’s site. They are amazing and well worth it in my opinion.
Legal writing pads
I think legal pads are useful to any kind of student! One of my friends is currently studying math, and he uses these for everything. Personally, I use legal pads to take notes in class, write to-do lists, and write things out for studying purposes. Get prepared for law school and do yourself a favor by picking up a fat bargain pack of these before school starts. There are multiple other colors besides yellow, too.
Quality pens
I love writing notes in my books or during class. Law school requires lots of writing, and if you’re like me, I still prefer handwriting over typing. I do type a ton in law school because in class it is simply just faster, but I still handwrite a significant amount. I prefer pens over pencils these days. Lately, I have discovered that I love writing with fine-liner pens! They come in so many colors, and you can find them with dual brush pens, too. When law school finals come around, they also make life more fun and colorful (what else can you ask for during such a stressful time??).
