Exam supplies

During exam season, the most important credo is "be prepared." Here are some of the preparations to consider:

wardrobe: Comfort is key. If you attend a law school that has a dress code (yes, Virginia, there are such anomalies), then sweats are not an option. First of all, I hate dress codes. Not because I want to look like a homeless person, but because I believe that I am intelligent and mature enough to dress appropriately without being pursued by the fashion police. That being said, I also do not believe that just because I have on a business suit it makes me superior or any more intelligent than the lawyer who is dressed casually. So, my mantra during exams is comfort (actually, that is my mantra most of the time). My uniform (i.e., dress code) during exams is slip-ons, khakis, and t-shirt--which is what we would see on casual Friday at most law firms--all of which is within the parameters of the dress code. (While the law school didn't intend for these wardrobe items to fall within the parameters of their definition of "professional attire," they can't seem to find a way around this loophole without appearing entirely intolerant. At some point in the future I suppose they will have some real lawyers take a look at the dress code provisions and make the necessary changes.)

diet: The day before we begin exams I usually stock up on fresh fruit, roasted nuts, tuna (brain food), and cranberry juice. By the end of exams, the fruit is rotten, and the other supplies have been relegated to the "hurricane supply box" and I'm busy ordering takeout pizza, chinese, and frequenting every drive-thru in the city. Another staple of this diet is lots of caffeine. I usually start and end my day with a venti skinny quad-shot mocha; and, should I get sluggish during the day, i.e., should my pulse rate drop below 100, then I'll dose up again on another quad shot.

schedule: Have a study schedule. Allot ample time to work alone as well as with your study group. Sleep should be optional and only when absolutely necessary. There will be plenty of time for sleep after the party after final exams. Since you aren't learning anything while unconscious, sleep is not your friend. Caffeine and speed are your friends; they should automatically be a part of your study group.

study group: Speaking of study groups, I highly recommend finding a small group of classmates to study with during exam season. Even if you study alone during the semester (as I do), it is beneficial to spend a few hours with a group as well. The key is to study with the classmates who are ranked higher than you so that it can positively affect your grade. Otherwise, you will do poorly on your exam and have to invest in detox supplies (below).

detox: If I have done especially poor on an exam (like yesterday), then it is imperative that I detox so that I can quickly recover. I suggest stopping by the ABC Store on the ride home, pick up an appropriately-sized bottle of detoxification beverage, and then consume it until you don't know your name. Trust me, you won't feel any worse the morning after than you already do after failing an exam.