I'll be taking the LSAT this Saturday, and I feel much better about it this time around thanks to 7Sage. (You guys rock!) However, I'm finding that I have a LOT of nervous energy (read: I'm having trouble sitting still long enough to focus on reviewing this week). I did the same thing the first time I took the test, which culminated in a mostly sleepless night before the big day, even though I went to bed in plenty of time. I think I tossed and turned for at least four or five of the eight hours that I had allotted for sleep, though I didn't feel tired at all the next day, which I attributed to adrenaline.
Given that I didn't do as well as I wanted to that time, I'm hoping to avoid the same scenario this go round. I've taken off work the Friday before the test, and I was thinking about checking out a local martial arts studio to both take my mind off the test, and, hopefully, wear out all my nervous energy so that I will sleep well Friday night. Does anyone have any other suggestions for staying energized but focus this week and for getting a good night's sleep on Friday so I (and all my fellow 7Sagers) can rock this test?
42 comments
Thanks for all the advice guys! It went better than I had dared to believe! I went from a 158 in February to a 170 in December!!
you could do some reading comp right before. that alwasy puts me to sleep
What I did in October worked like a charm. I woke up at 6am the entire week before the LSAT, and then the day before (Friday morning) I woke up at 4am. It was difficult to get out of bed, but I was dead tired by 8pm Friday night and passed out around 8:30-9:00pm. Woke up the next day at 5:00am and had time to do some yoga, shower, eat a good breakfast, and get to the test center early to do a warm up (games section, a handful of LR questions,1 RC passage).
Will be doing the same this go around. Good luck everybody!
Melatonin. It’s amazing.
@sheridickson10526 Do you mean other than going through all the 7Sage lessons? Besides those, I did 2-3 PTs a week starting in September, I think, but the last few weeks before the test I dropped it down to 1-2 (because I was working overtime at work), so on the days when I didn't do a full PT, I would do an entire LG section, timed, with a BR, instead because that was my weakest section. Then the Friday before, I took the day off work, went to a High Intensity Interval Training workout class in the morning, got a massage in the afternoon, and had an early dinner with a good friend in the evening before I went to bed. The day of, I got up at 5am and just spent an hour listening to a "Test Day" playlist I had put together to get me pumped before I made a big breakfast and leisurely walked to the center. It was perfect for ensuring that I was relaxed when I arrived. :)
Every day this week: Wake up at 6. Go to bed when you're tired, definitely before 11pm.
Friday: Exhaust yourself through exercise. Get a Swedish massage (lowers cortisol, Google it), 90 minutes. Take a bath with epsom salts. Get in bed by 8pm. No blue light after 7, if you can swing it (no phone screens and computer screens only using something like f.lux . Again. Google it.)
@julesters701 sorry you missed my JK! Of course I won't do that, took my last PT today! Feeling pretty confident about this test.
Put all your electronic devices on DND mode friday afternoon/night, do some light review, eat a good meal, and settle up with a book with a happy plot. I plan on doing the same this friday. :)
@oliverjlee92165 , me too…doing the hotel thing…but i'm packing my own quinoa breakfast and coffee (even reheated good coffee is better than…). I'm also taking my husband and my dog ! Walking the dog early morning really helps me wake up etc.
A bottle of Rex Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon has enough tannins to put your right to sleep.
tart cherry juice also has melatonin, albeit in lesser quantity than a pill would but it helps me. That plus exercise and what @ghoorch239 said, waking early on Friday, should help me sleep like the old cranky dog that I am. Best of luck everyone, may the force be with all of us (All jedis use the force, but not all…)
So far this is the best advice I've read!
highly recommend exercising, it lowers that nervous energy and cortisol levels. You don't even need to over do it either, but do focus on your legs and a bit of cardio.
Just try any medicine out a few days before Friday ... You never know how you'll react to a foreign substance!
@cverdugo698 Haha. Sorry, I'm pretty out of it. Can you blame me? :D
Exercise!!! Go for a run or go to the gym. That has worked so well at knocking me out at night. Also drinking tea helps me a lot. Chamomile or bedtime tea.
And in general, don't be afraid to get your mind off of the LSAT! Hang out with friends, go to a museum, go watch a movie, etc. Whatever makes you happy and not stressed out!
I recommend testing it out a few days in advance, just incase you need some recovery time. I know that when I get sleep medicine grogginess it takes a few days to get it out of my system, and I would hate testing under those kinds of conditions.
Me too, also adjacent to the testing center (anyone else in McKinney TX?). Got a whole elaborate set up going on and 4pm checkout. Fridge, micro, all my foods and vitamins. Epsom salts for the tub, following massage.
katheeh, bringing the husband and the dog sounds like a great way to soothe the nerves... I'm hoping they have "real coffee" down at the buffet; I won't be touching the pouch crap in the room!
Anyone else staying at a hotel tonight? I'll be at one within walking distance from the test center. Fortunately I tend to sleep pretty well away from home. I figure it beats spending an hour and a half of driving the morning of the exam... plus I'll have a free breakfast buffet right there to selectively choose from. :)
Well, it's 5 o'clock somewhere :D
I'm about to have a glass with Vega and check out the games from 75 ;)
Bonus: it keeps your brain nice and limber for those tough LG sections!
@5302 yeah I tried chamomile tea + honey yesterday before bed and it may have helped! Slept soundly yesterday. But I had to wear myself out a lot during the day too.