{"id":27663,"date":"2018-04-25T09:59:41","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T14:59:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/?p=27663"},"modified":"2018-04-25T09:59:41","modified_gmt":"2018-04-25T14:59:41","slug":"9-must-have-products-to-get-you-through-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/2018\/04\/9-must-have-products-to-get-you-through-finals\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Must-Have Products to Get You Through Finals"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>This semester in <\/em>Professor Lisa Mazzie\u2019s<\/em><\/a> Advanced Legal Writing: Writing for Law Practice seminar, students are required to write one blog post on a law- or law school-related topic of their choice. Writing blog posts as a lawyer is a great way to practice writing skills, and to do so in a way that allows the writer a little more freedom to showcase his or her own voice, and\u2014eventually for these students\u2014a great way to maintain visibility as a legal professional. Here is one of those blog posts, this one written by 2L Margaret Johnson.<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that finals are just around the corner and that studying for finals in law school can be unpleasant at best and excruciatingly painful at worst. While I can\u2019t guarantee any of these products will help you snag an honors grade, these are my favorite products for making the studying process more bearable \u2013 or at least more productive.<\/p>\n

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  1. Colored Pens and Highlighters<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you\u2019re a pen-snob like me, nothing makes note-taking more enjoyable than a set of colorful pens to brighten up my outline and flashcards. If you\u2019re looking for variety of fine-point gel pens that don\u2019t smudge, look no further than KACO Retractable Gel Ink Pens<\/a>. If you prefer pens that write more like a marker, check out the Huhuhero Fineliner Color Pen Set<\/a>, which includes 10 colorful pens that write smoothly and clearly without smudging.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Highlighters<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Highlighters are great for color-coding different types of information in your outlines when studying for finals. Sharpie Clear View Highlighters<\/a> offer vibrant colors and the clear tip allows you to neatly and evenly highlight across the page without smudging the page or getting ink on your hands.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Notecards<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Flashcards are great for rule-based classes like Civil Procedure or Evidence and for writing down case holdings and black-letter law. While writing out holdings and rules is time-consuming, I\u2019ve found that doing so helps me remember the material that much better than just reading from my outline. Flashcards are also great for reviewing material right before your final while sitting in an anxiety-filled exam room and feeling like you need to be productive as you watch your fellow peers frantically cram. While 3×5 inch notecards might have cut it in undergrad, I recommend these 5×8 Inch Ruled White Index Cards<\/a> so you can fit all of Rule 12<\/a> of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on a single notecard.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Book Stand<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          When I first started law school, I held out on buying a book stand because, as a matter of principle, I couldn\u2019t allow myself to be that<\/em> nerdy. But low and behold, I found myself telling my parents I wanted a book stand when they asked what I wanted for Christmas. Nerdy? Yes. Worth it? Also yes. No longer are my neck and shoulders always sore from the strain of looking down at my textbook and taking notes has become a much more efficient process now that I\u2019m not glancing up and down between my textbook and my computer.<\/p>\n

          Accept the fact that you\u2019re nerdier than the average student and get your book stand here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Noise Cancelling Ear Plugs & Headphones<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Nothing is more obnoxious or distracting when you\u2019re trying to study than listening to someone eat crunchy food or pound on their keyboard. Minimize your distractions and save what little sanity you have left with noise-cancelling ear plugs or headphones. If you\u2019re gifted enough to be able to focus while listening to music, you can\u2019t go wrong with this Mpow Bluetooth Wireless Headset<\/a> which has the impressive sound quality of a pair of Beats by Dre without the hefty price. If you\u2019re a mere mortal like me who needs silence to concentrate while studying, try these HUSH Ear Plugs<\/a> which are both noise cancelling and reusable.<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Binders<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Binders are essential for keeping your outlines and handouts in order, particularly during an open-note final when you\u2019re frantically flipping between sections of your outline to find the answer to your professor\u2019s obscure question. Save yourself time and serious panic by utilizing a binder to keep your materials in order with a pack of 3-ring binders<\/a>, and even consider using these dividers<\/a> to separate your materials into easily accessible sections.<\/p>\n

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              1. Examples & Explanations Books<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                The Examples & Explanation series is great when you need a clear explanation and analysis of difficult and convoluted concepts in simple, concrete terms. The Examples & Explanation series also provides hypothetical situations and fact patterns which allow you to test your understanding of the material. There\u2019s no question that the Civil Procedure Examples & Explanations<\/a> provided me with enough of an adequate understanding of joinder to pass the class and it can do the same for you.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Insulated Tumbler Cup <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  I won\u2019t tell you what to drink after finals are over, but water intake is key for mental performance during finals. Poor hydration can negatively affect your brain\u2019s ability to transmit and receive information as well as your memory, attention, and concentration. Stay quenched with this Ozark Trail Tumbler Cup<\/a>, which will have your water ice-cold throughout the whole day.<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. Computer Charger<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    A few hours before my Property final, my computer charger stopped working, leaving me in an absolute, unnecessary panic. Luckily, I have a hero of a dad who drove two hours to bring me a new charger. Spare yourself the panic and make sure your computer charger is in prime condition and that all necessary updates to your computer have been made prior to exam day. And if you prefer to err on the side of caution, consider buying yourself a back-up charger so you don\u2019t drive yourself crazy with another \u201cwhat if\u201d situation when thinking of everything that might go wrong during an exam.<\/p>\n

                    Leave a comment below and share a product that\u2019s essential to your studying process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    This semester in Professor Lisa Mazzie\u2019s Advanced Legal Writing: Writing for Law Practice seminar, students are required to write one blog post on a law- or law school-related topic of their choice. Writing blog posts as a lawyer is a great way to practice writing skills, and to do so in a way that allows […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":244,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"","ocean_second_sidebar":"","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"","ocean_custom_header_template":"","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,122],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-legal-education","category-public","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/244"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27663"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27670,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27663\/revisions\/27670"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}