7 Law Student Necessities

Whether you're about to embark on your 1L, 2L, or 3L year, you'll need plenty of supplies. We've rounded up 7 essential must-haves to keep your student life organized, energized, and stylish.

1) Reading Material

If you're about to start law school, you know that a lot of reading awaits. Before you have your nose buried in textbooks and briefs, read one of these books to get you excited and prepared for the journey ahead:

  • Law School Confidential: A Complete Guide to the Law School Experience By Students, for Students is written by law students for law students. In this book, recent graduates impart wisdom about financial aid, exam strategies, getting a clerkship, passing the bar, and more.

  • 1L of a Ride prepares incoming 1Ls by exploring common law student anxieties, the 1L curriculum, and helpful study tips as well as examples of documents, exam questions, case-briefs, and course outlines.

  • The Majesty of the Law will remind students that on the other side of law school awaits a legal system on which you can have a remarkable impact, like this book's author and the first female Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor. In The Majesty of the Law, O'Connor explores her life on the bench and the evolution of the court system.

    • 2) A Sturdy Backpack or Tote

    You'll need a strong backpack or tote that can hold your books, laptop, notepads, and more. Consider these options:

    • Herschel Supply Co. Little America Mid-Volume Backpack

      This backpack is stylish and professional, making it a great pick for law students who need a backpack that works in class and in court. At $99.99, it comes in blue, grey, black, and red with contrasting straps for a stylish accent. The backpack features a padded and fleece-lined 13-inch laptop sleeve, a front pocket with a hidden zipper and key clip, as well as a media pocket that has a headphone port.

    • Eddie Bauer Cargo Pack

      This backpack features 6 front pockets, 2 main compartments, 2 side mesh pockets, a hydration sleeve, air mesh shoulder straps, and a back panel for comfortable wear. At $80, this is the perfect backpack for any student who is very organized or who needs help getting organized.

    • L&S Brookline

      This tote is perfect for any stylish law student. It includes a padded laptop compartment, a water-resistant exterior, multiple areas for storage, strong leather handles, and a removable messenger strap. It retails for $158.40. Check out this video to see everything you can fit inside!

    • HP 17-inch Laptop Canvas Backpack with 22400 mAh Battery Charging Pack

      This backpack from HP includes a portable battery designed to power your HP laptop, tablet, and smartphone. A built-in heat sensor keeps the backpack from overheating, and a rain cover is provided for protection in inclement weather. The product includes two USB microcables for Android devices and one laptop cable. It's perfect for days when you're on the go and need your devices fully operational!

    3) A Water Bottle

    Stay hydrated in class, the library, and during exams by keeping a water bottle on hand at all times. These water bottles will keep your thirst quenched and your style game on point:

    • Swell® water bottles come in a variety of styles that can reflect your personality, or bring a much-needed pop of color or serene design to a stressful class or study session. Made of stainless steel, these bottles come in three sizes: 9 ounces, 17 ounces, and 25 ounces.

    • The Steep & Go Cold Brew Bottle is perfect for any law student who wants tea on-the-go. Simply mix tea leaves and water, wait 10 minutes, and you've got a 20-ounce cuppa.

    • This water bottle from BAN.DO comes in a variety of stylish patterns and is the perfect choice if you're looking for something to swig in class and at the gym. The acrylic bottle holds 24 ounces and has a removable silicone mouthpiece.

    4) Portable Wifi Router

    When you've got a test coming up and the internet's being slow, save yourself hours of frustration with your own portable wifi router. Consider the Karma Go Wifi Hotspot. At just 2.3 ounces, it's small enough to fit in any bag, boasts 6-8 hours of battery, and guarantees fast internet connection wherever you are.

    5) Highlighters

    You'll be reading a lot in law school, so you'll need plenty of highlighters to ensure you're being an active reader. Opt for the Post-It® Flag Highlighter 3-pack from Staples, which combines post-its and a highlighter in one ingenious instrument:

    6) USB Drives

    For all your papers and files, keep a USB drive on hand to backup your work. This cassette tape USB, this lipstick tube USB, and this wooden USB drive are all ways to bring a little fun or sophistication to your insane workload.

    7) An Organization App

    To stay on top of your coursework and life beyond the classroom, download an organizational app to help. Try one of these:

    • iStudiez Pro Legendary Planner will help you organize your schedule, keep track of homework assignments, and track your grades.

    • Be Focused divides your tasks into timed increments and builds in short breaks to keep you realistically on-track and engaged.

    • Remember The Milk remembers your to-do list so you don't have to, sending you reminders for your tasks and planning the best way for you to get everything done on time.

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