1. The Uniform. There is no particular uniform that you must wear to the party. I will caution you, however, about taking ten years, every morning, trying to find something to wear to the library. This is not the time to spend thinking about fashion and style. You may want to look "really nice" for that person, but I would not try to pull it off everyday. Once a week, maybe; at the end of the day, that person wants to know if you passed the exam, and he or she won't be there to see you "get dressed" for the February exam. You know what I mean?
You do not have to wear to the library what you think you would wear to the exam, but if you have a pair of favorite jeans, or shoes, or a hat, or shirt, that you like, please wear it. Purchase five or ten of the same item, if you know that your ability to study forever, can be accomplished by wearing this piece of clothing.
2. Exam Clothing. However, our clothing should be practical, comfortable, wearable, and flexible. From head to toe. All of the time. Hats, jackets, hoodies, sweaters (yes, it is cold in the library), skirts, dresses, pants, socks & shoes. You are probably saying, "doesn't she know this is not real news to anyone who has been taking exams for years' now?" Generally, I would agree with you, but I am here to remind and suggest a few things now so that you won't make unnecessary mistakes, later. Just a reminder.
3. A blanket. I want to remind you to bring a light throw blanket in the event you become colder than usual, or want to sit in a comfortable chair for 30 minutes and take a nap. Where? In the library. In your car. Anywhere, really. You will tire a little, everyday, and most of the time you will want a nap. You cannot go home for a nap everytime you want to take one, but you can take a throw with you to the library, especially, if you are driving. Even if you could go home, home is a place where you will take a more comfortable nap and if you don't possess a lot of control, that nap could last three or four hours. That's too long. That's not a nap. The blanket will also be useful for cold legs, arms, back support, or an alternative to sitting on a not-to-comfortable chair.
4. A pillow. Those of you that won't bring a blanket (because real men only sleep on concrete) should consider a small pillow, or an extra large zip-up-the-front sweat jacket, with a hood attached to it, as an alternative. Use the pillow (a small one, please) to support your back while you rest. Or, just place the pillow on the desk as a head rest when needed. A large pullover or zip-up-the-front jacket will keep you warm in a cold library or in the late night, if it becomes cool. FYI: gals or guys who decide to take naps on the lawn can pull out their blankets and their pillows!
5. Tee-shirts. We know to dress in layers. As lawyers, we tend to sit a lot; we know that eight to ten hours in the library is a long time. It is an entire work day. Comfort is paramount. So, we dress in thin layers that we can remove quickly. A tee-shirt is your greatest defense to getting ready quickly and staying comfortable without worrying about being stylish (which should not be our primary concern, right now). Women might consider a more feminine, strappy tee as a initial layer and a regular tee shirt on top of the first one (just in case one takes a nice break and wants to have a little fun in the sun, with "the one"). Guys should consider a regular tee-shirt, too, especially since this is the summer, you will be studying, and you do not have to look a certain way. Also, the generic tee-shirt comes in several colors (black, white, grey), so you can change up some, too (just in case you also want to have some fun in the sun, with "the one," too).
6. Our shoes. Ten hours in the library. Walking back and forth to the cafeteria, or to the car, or to the library, or to our homes, or anywhere ... at some point, we will have swollen feet. If it doesn't happen to you, then congratulations. I would suggest a slipper that wears like a shoe. Or, a slipper that does not look so much like a slipper. Just be comfortable, please. Most of us don't want to wear our bedroom shoes in the library (I would, if I had no other choice), but we don't want to leave our place of study prematurely, especially if it is just an excuse because our feet look and feel like a sausage packed too tightly in our own skin. I don't expect that men will wear house slippers or even "soft shoes," so guys, do yourself a favor and buy a shoe that is one half size larger than your normal size, or buy a workable, walkable sandal. A sandal is not a pair of flip-flops. Okay, if you want to wear those, then fine, just realize that you may break them up quickly and that you don't get much support, or you may get a little cold in the library. If none of the above works for you, take off the shoes and console your feet with an extra pair of socks.
7. Rainwear. I am more concerned that your books are not soiled, than I am with you encountering a little rain. If you are in a pickle, and must leave the library when the rain is pouring down in buckets, find a trashcan liner from one of the 50 small trashcans in the library and use it to wrap your books in while you make a mad dash to the car. A umbrella works well for your body, as it has for your entire life. However, I have become a fan of the one piece, pull over your entire body, raincoat. You can pack it in a backpack without any difficulty, and you are less likely to leave it somewhere. I must admit, it is simple, a little unconventional, maybe, but it works. That is what I need; something that works. It keeps you almost as dry as the indoors, you don't have to run, and there is enough room for your books (and maybe another person, too).
More suggestions on preparation in the next post.
Thank you for your time,
Prof. Smith
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