labogada

[labogada]

Things I did well in 1L:

1. LG 27" HD Monitor

2. Sony WX-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones)

3. UBOTIE Wireless Keyboard & Mouse

4. YSAGI Reversible Desk Pad

5. Zebra Milliner Double-Ended Highlighters



Things I changed to for 2L:

1. Happy Planner Vertical Layout in Classic

Alongside a hard cover and a hole punch.

2. The North Face Jester backpack

3. Target Soft Tote

4. Ikea LAGKAPTEN tabletop and ALEX drawers

5. Clear drawer organizers

6. Dual monitor stand

7. MacBook adapter

8. Desk shelf

9. Desk chair and cushion

10. Ikea SKADIS pegboard and accessories

11. Ikea EKET cube shelves

[labogada]

1. LG 27" HD Monitor

A second monitor will make your life 300% easier if you're doing your readings at home. Some people work better outside their home, but I take advantage of the peace and quiet in the early hours of the morning and get readings done before class. This keeps them fresh in my mind for class!

I use an HDMI adapter to connect it to my ancient laptop from undergrad, which is still chugging along just fine.

2. Sony WX-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

Also crucial for studying, regardless of where it's taking place. These are comfortable and, in my opinion, a great price and worthy investment. I was able to stretch many years out of my high school Beats and decided I wanted to invest in some higher-quality headphones.

3. UBOTIE Wireless Keyboard & Mouse

A wireless keyboard maximizes the space and utility of a dual-monitor setup. This keeps you from having to reach over to your laptop to get to the keyboard. Personally, I love the sounds and feeling of a typewriter (shoutout to my gap year admin job for teaching me how to use one!) so I really love this option.

These were super easy to setup with the USB connection that's attached to the mouse.

4. YSAGI Reversible Desk Pad

Instead of buying a mouse pad, I went for a full desk pad to add a little color to my monochrome setup. This one is durable and so easy to clean.

5. LEUCHTTURM1917 Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover

I debated for a long time about the best way to keep track of readings and assignments. I've tried so many planners in the past, and I had yet to find the perfect one that I love so much that I keep up with it for the entire year. After doing some research, I found the perfect solution -- a planner that is entirely customizable, thanks to the bullet journaling method.

Bullet journaling is an umbrella term for designing your own journal/planner, usually on dotted paper. Because you design it however you'd like, it is very forgiving of a forgotten week or realizing you don't need five different trackers for every aspect of your life (or that maybe you do!). I set up the entire month ahead of time and fill it in with reading assignments each week.

Once I've filled the pages of this one, I'll likely replace it with a larger notebook and thicker pages (this one is 80 g/m2). The pages are numbered and it includes a table of contents, as well as two bookmarks.

6. Zebra Mildliner Double-Ended Highlighter

These are hands-down my favorite highlighters. They're light enough to not bleed through, they're a perfect size, and I love the colors in the assorted pack. These are double-ended, so they easily transition between highlighting your readings and emphasizing your notes. These same reasons make them perfect for use in a bullet journal.

7. Herschel Little America Mid-Volume

Another law school decision I spent the entire summer debating. How do I choose a backpack that looks both professional and fun? Once I decided on the Herschel, I also struggled with what size. I'm 5'4" so I ended up choosing the smaller 17L option, which ended up being the perfect size for me.