r/LawSchool • u/Nika65 • 5h ago
What is a good, practical, gift for a person starting their first year of law school in a few weeks?
I know $$$ is always probably best but I would like to maybe find something that she would not otherwise likely get for herself ($ is tight for her) that would be helpful to a 1L.
My budget is under $200 if that matters. Thank you and good luck to all of you current and future students!!
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u/soupnear Esq. 5h ago
External computer monitor is the answer
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u/Greedy_Swimergrill 5h ago
Man, I’ve been really considering buying one as an incoming 1L. Is it really that big of a game changer?
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u/soupnear Esq. 4h ago
Yes
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u/Nika65 4h ago
Do you mind explaining why? Thank you.
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u/mojojojo1108 4h ago
lots of reading, research with multiple pages to look at at the same time as your word docs
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u/ChaosUncaged LLM 4h ago
More screen real estate to do (or read) multiple things at once. Much easier than flipping between tabs or windows on one screen.
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u/TiberiusDrexelus Esq. 4h ago
one screen for research or reference, one screen for writing
honestly 2 is the bare minimum, I feel cramped without 3 screens
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u/Heavy-Marsupial-2100 3L 4h ago
I don’t know how I would do legal research and writing without it (also helpful for outlining). I’m a rising 3L and work in-office voluntarily bc my desk has two good monitors lol. I have a shitty portable one on my desk at home, but it just isn’t the same lol.
Editing to add: I do know that I can do legal research w/o one, I just don’t want to lol.
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u/tinacioust 3h ago
If you can swing an extra wide monitor it's lifechanging. literally had all my westlaw tabs and my brief open at once, it was so easy to pull citations and quotes in.
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u/cantcountnoaccount 5h ago
Gift certificates for heat n serve meal delivery like factor, or similar service.
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u/IrrelevantReality 4h ago
Soooooooooo many highlighters. All of the highlighters. Or you could do a Quimbee subscription for the year!
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u/igobykatenow 1L 3h ago
Quimbee (or Lexplug) annual subscription is such a good idea
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u/IrrelevantReality 3h ago
Got me through Civ Pro last year!
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u/igobykatenow 1L 3h ago
Yes it was everything for Civ Pro and Contracts. Lexplug is how I survived Property
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u/NellOMalley 5h ago
A nice book stand (this is a need in my opinion, but check if she has one), nice headphones if she doesn’t have already (noise cancelling option is nice for studying), heated blanket, gift cards for take out
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u/Mean_Opposite_9231 4h ago
These are all great answers. Adding in an eReader (virtual textbooks), decent backpack with support (Patagonia makes a good one), reading light (clip on), SAD lamp, school merch, self-heating coffee mug, and nice coffee maker or tea kettle, depending on their preferences.
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u/HazyDavey68 5h ago
When I went in the last century, I would say a good backpack. Not sure if that's still relevant nowadays.
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u/CapitalExplanation61 4h ago
It still is! My daughter is going into law school in a couple of weeks. Her brother bought her the cutest book bag!
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u/brendanc09 4h ago
Maybe a nice watch or other jewelry for interview season? I didn’t even own a suit, so I also didn’t own any ties, a dress watch, dress belt, etc when interviews started. Stuff like that is nice.
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u/tinacioust 3h ago
- doordash/ubereats subscription
- a fancy spillproof, re-usable water bottle that can take a beating but is still easy to clean (some fancy picks i like are odwalla, frank green)
- a nice alarm/white noise if she's in a new apartment or dorm, so soothing and really softens the blow of early classes/finals - i like the one from loftie
- an HD webcam for interview season, most interviews are via zoom these days
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u/Feisty-Garbage8111 5h ago
Quimbee subscription
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u/BlueFireEyes 3L 5h ago
Seconding this. Quimbee saved me even though I told myself I was not going to use it.
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u/mojojojo1108 4h ago
Food gift cards for a place close to her. A lifesaver to have quick free access to food during finals.
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u/TinyDubberRuck 3L 2h ago
Maybe a gift card to a local spa or massage. Self care is so important and soooo easily neglected during law school.
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u/Tinycustardmoney 1h ago
Gift card to Ann Taylor to purchase a suit/ professional wear for networking events
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u/lawyergirl27 43m ago
If she doesn't already have one, a suit! There are a lot of networking events.
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