Basics for Exams

As a law student, it is normal to always have sleepless nights, restless thoughts of how are you going to school and how much have you studied and are you prepared to recite. Yet some do not know that even though there’s the courage to be in class and take on whatever that may come your way, there will always be the supplies that we need in order to do so. All of the things that I will say or have said are based from observations and own experiences that I’d like to share.

This is basically a normal desk situation for me and it gets messier when exams are coming. Notes and handouts are basically everywhere, books get piled up on a side or on the table and the rest, is everywhere. May it be your pens or papers or scratch papers or cases or highlighters.

Desk situation

For highlighters, I use Stabilo. It’s my go-to highlighters because it offers more colors and different kinds with different nibs that possess different thickness. It is a need since it helps one remember the details and information you have to remember in studying (may it be for an exam or for a normal day in school).

Highlighters is a need!

It may be interpreted as a want but for me, it is a need! It is a need to have at least four (4) colors to differentiate and classify the things that I highlight. From legal maxims to definitions and to court decisions. Whatever it may be, it will always be represented by a color!

• Currently, I have four (4) main highlighters from Stabilo (Pen 68 Neon). I have neon green / yellow / orange and blue. Those represent different data when it is being used.
• Also, there are the fine liners with 0.4 nib. I have lots of colors since I use it sometimes for design and also for doodling or scribbling. But for the purpose of highlighting, I have 4-5 colors. I have red, yellow, orange, blue and green. Each of these will cost you Php 29.75 each which is not bad at all. It could last really well.
• Just a tip in using these, remember to cover them whenever you are not using since it may be a cause why the ink dries up quickly.

Soldiers that fight for us in battle against the paper

The pens are the instruments we use to write our delicate answers that would tell if we make it or break it. There are specifications to be met in having one. Others would require you to have a fountain pen. I received a fountain pen last year but I decided to buy a cheaper one since that was way precious to be used in a day to day basis. I was too afraid to ruin it. Others allow the use of gel pens but with a specific point to allow them to read whatever we wrote.

• The cheaper fountain pen that I was referring to is a Pilot Ergonomic Fountain Pen. I bought it from Pens Galore which is an online shop that you may check here. It is less than Php 400 that comes with a cartridge already. The cartridge contains the ink which allows the user to refill quickly and with ease.
• Other pens are My Gel from Dong-A with 0.5 tip and a G-tec from Pilot with a 0.4 tip. These are alternatives for the fountain pen that I was blabbing about.
• Lastly, a Parker sign pen. I use this for rare occasions like I ran out of cartridge or in case I was not able to bring my other soldiers for battle.

Of course, an exam won’t be one without the reviewers or handouts or cases or digests given to us or the ones that we do. For almost every subject we encounter, there’s always a reviewer. These do not have to be strictly in the form of a book. Anyone can create their own based on how they review for exams. It could be from their notes and they just compiled them.

Reviewers, notes, cases, digests

• For the notes, I learned that it is more effective if you have handwritten notes since when you write it down, your brain remembers the things you write! (This is based from experience way back in college.)

Codals are also necessary since it is where you can locate the laws. If ever you got confused from an explanation, you could always go back to the codal and check it again. These may look like Bibles from another’s perspective but they aren’t. They are pocket size and could help you survive the day even if you don’t have your textbook with you.

Books

• From experience: Having markers for every chapter helps also because it’s easier to go back to a certain topic without checking the table of contents. You just look at the post-it or marker then you’re good! Of course, you do the marking prior to the class or exam.

Caffeine & Time

Caffeine and Time and Food are the basic needs a student has to have. You need to allot time to study / create notes / review and caffeine to keep you alert and buzzed all the while you are doing those. Caffeine may be provided by any brand. It’s just that Great Taste is my fave!

• For people like me who have peptic ulcer or just plain ulcer, caffeine is a big no! It can trigger the acids in the stomach which will make you cringe and be in pain for so long but I haven’t experienced any of those with Great Taste White! But of course, moderation is needed. I just drink one cup a day (before 3:30pm to avoid a legit sleepless night).
• Whenever you feel hungry, you eat! It’s hard to work / study with an empty tummy. Everyone needs energy to be able to do things!
• I admire the people who are working and still be in school. Mabuhay kayo!

Politricks (a card game)

Our Lord Jesus Christ

You pray to God / Allah or the other gods that are out there for guidance. Let them help you choose the right path to take on.

I guess that’s it. This has been one random post because I needed to let my mind calm down for a bit before going to battle again. I don’t know if these are what you also need but I hope this helps you in a way.