This Week's 1L Life Hack!

Test Day Rituals

Do you have any test day rituals?  Is there something specific that you like to do the morning of a test?  Here are some examples of things that my classmates do before every law school exam: listen to the same few songs on repeat right before the test to get mentally prepared; eat the same thing on the day of each exam to prevent queasiness and nervousness; sit in the same place as they did during the semester; dress up for the test, “dress well, test well”; wear the same t-shirt or outfit “for luck.” 

There are lots of things that you can establish as a routine to get yourself mentally ready for taking a law school exam.  I recommend several things to do as a routine or ritual during the exam period; get plenty of rest; eat balanced meals; don’t overdose on caffeine; and make sure to be on time for the exams.

Sleep is very important, studies have shown that a lack of sleep (especially a cumulative one) is equivalent to operating while intoxicated.  Make sure that you set yourself up for a good night’s rest the night before an exam.

Balanced nutrition will help you to be able to concentrate for the exam.  Eating a balanced meal with protein and vegetables will help you to stay alert and attentive during the exam period.  Loading up on sugar the morning of the exam will get you a quick blood sugar crash, likely half way through the exam.

Caffeine in moderation will be very helpful to you during the exam.  Depending on your regular intake of caffeine, one cup of coffee, tea, or a soda will keep you more than awake during the exam.  Don’t overload on energy drinks, they are likely to make you more jittery and nervous than you already might be.

Make sure that you set more than one alarm for the day of the test.  Being late for an exam will create unnecessary stress on you and may be extremely detrimental to your grade.  I doubt professors are sympathetic to excuses for being late to an exam, especially if the excuse is not a catastrophic event.

At the end of the day, do what you think will be most helpful to prepare yourself for the exam.  If that includes wearing a suit and tie or a tuxedo t-shirt, do it!