National Toilet Paper Day: Don’t Waste It

Today, August 26, is National Toilet Paper Day. Yes, that’s a real thing. And as strange as it sounds, there’s actually a perfect bar prep lesson hidden in the humble roll of toilet paper.

We all know the basics of TP: It's essential, it runs out faster than you think, and wasting it only leaves you—or the next person—regretting it. Your bar prep time works the exact same way.

Don’t Waste It

Think about the last time you walked into the bathroom and discovered the roll was nearly gone. Not a great feeling, right? Now imagine your study schedule the same way. You only have so many sheets of hours in the day, and if you waste them, you’re the one left scrambling.

On the bar exam, every sheet of time counts. Just like you wouldn’t unravel half the roll when three squares would do the job, you shouldn’t spend three hours “studying” when one hour of focused, efficient practice would be more effective.

A giant Charmin bear at the Flying Pig Marathon, thanks to hometown race sponsor Procter & Gamble.

Seinfeld Said It Best: “Can You Spare a Square?”

One of the most memorable TV moments about toilet paper comes from Seinfeld. Elaine is stuck in a bathroom stall, out of TP, and politely asks the woman next to her: “Excuse me, could you spare a square?” The reply: “No, I can’t spare a square. I don’t have a square to spare.”

It’s funny because it’s absurd. But it’s also a perfect bar prep lesson. Every square counts. Waste too many early on, and you may find yourself in Elaine’s shoes: desperately wishing you had saved more for when you really needed it.

That’s why efficiency matters:

🧻 Be mindful of how you use your time. One hour of focused multiple-choice review is better than three hours of distracted highlighting.

🧻 Don’t let hours slip away on passive tasks. Build active recall, do timed sets, and review wrong answers thoroughly.

🧻 Save enough “squares” of energy and focus for the home stretch. You’ll need them during full-length practice exams and, of course, on test day itself.

Unlike Elaine, you won’t be able to bang on the stall door and get more time handed to you.

Use Your Resources Wisely

Toilet paper isn’t free, and neither is bar prep. Between your commercial course, practice essays, workshops, and maybe even your own outlines, you’ve got more resources than you think. The trick is not to burn through them in a single sitting. Pace yourself. Use what you need, when you need it, and keep some in reserve for review and reinforcement.

Final Wipe

So, on this National Toilet Paper Day, remember: Don’t waste it. Whether we’re talking about a roll of TP or the time you’ve got left before the bar exam, efficiency and mindfulness go a long way.

And unlike toilet paper, you can’t just run to the store and buy more time.