Have you ever admired a judge’s chambers or a lawyer’s office, thinking, “This sure is conducive to thinking about the law”? Create an environment that suits your study strengths and minimizes frustration and interruptions related to your study weaknesses. What is it that makes the lawyer’s office so appealing? Why do you get the sense that the judge’s chambers are so conducive to legal thought? The reason is this: they are usually designed and furnished in a way that is wholly consistent with the objective of the lawyer or judge who designed the office.
Design your study space in the same way. Plan proactively to avoid the frustration of not being able to find what you need when you need it. Keep everything you will need handy and easily retrievable. For example:
Computer. Set up your computer and printer so you have access to the keyboard and the printed page without having to walk to another room (or even without having to cross the room).
Writing tools. Your workspaces must accommodate writing—even though you may do much of your composing on the computer, you will need to handwrite often.
Reference materials. During your study periods, you will need to refer to reference material often. Those materials will include: an English dictionary, a law dictionary, all of your casebooks, all commercial study aids you own (“outlines,” hornbooks, and other secondary sources), and handouts related to each course.
Furnishings. You will need shelving, preferably within reach of your production area. Your desk or table area needs to be large enough to accommodate your computer (and, perhaps, your printer), sufficient writing space (so you can shift your chair position and write, without having to rearrange your computer position), space for a large textbook or several to remain open on your desk at the same time, and space for your three-ring binder to sit, open, as you study. Your chair should be the proper height and configuration to allow for hours of sustained use, without inducing fatigue or muscle problems. Obtain a file cabinet right away, and equip it with alphabetized hanging file tabs. Filing strategy is essential to law office management and should be essential to your law (study) office from the get-go.
Lighting and acoustics. Adequate lighting in the room is essential; often a higher intensity desk lamp is helpful to prevent eye strain and fatigue. If you prefer to work in silence, do what you are able to soundproof your work area. Soundproofing is usually much easier in a true office environment than in a home (house or apartment) — therefore, be prepared to mask unwanted sounds in other ways. Some prefer “white noise” sounds—you can purchase compact discs loaded with soothing sounds of rivers, streams, surf, tropical birds, and waterfalls. A great set of headphones to attach to your music source will often isolate you from all outside sounds. Whether you listen to classical music or something with more verve, it should not be music that engages your intellect; the texts you are reading or writing require all your attention. The telephone in your law (study) office should not ring—most of the time your answering machine should act as your “receptionist,” so you won’t be distracted from your work.
Atmosphere. The “climate” in your office should be as conducive to intensive study as is possible. Adequate heating, air conditioning, and ventilation are essential. Distractions. Remove distractions from your line of sight. If you intend to read at your desk some of the time and in a more comfortable “easy chair” in your office at other times, sit in those chairs to see what you will be looking at as you look up from the pages. Prepare your space so distractions will be minimal to nil. Digital distractions. Although useful, engaging, and fun, interactive computer features are notorious time-thieves and distractors. Try to avoid interruptions of your intensive study time by an “instant message,” a tiny sound announcing the arrival of e-mail, or a pop-up invitation to chat. Temporarily disable digital distractions while studying.
Appetite. Although it’s probably not a great idea to keep a refrigerator near your desk, you should plan on having energy-producing munchies, as well as water and other fluids, at hand during every extended study period, to avoid those trips to the kitchen that lead to other distractions.
Spending time (and a few bucks) to create the perfect work environment will pay off as the years tick by.