Self-study
Hi everyone! Winter is here, finals are over, and I'm really feeling the lack of motivation. I find myself studying so much but not retaining a lot because I feel like I'm just dragging along. How many hours are you putting in daily? How many days off should I aim for? I feel like I'm constantly catching up.
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6 comments
Burn out is very real, if you are feeling burnt out taking a day off or even just studying for 1 hour instead of your usual amount can help. LSAT Prep in addition to a usual course load can be draining on anyone. Starting with your first point, Retention isn't super easy to track on the LSAT, there is too much variance in a questions stimulus. Over time you should see improvement in smaller areas, less questions wrong on lower difficulties, more time left over at the end of sections, etc. I am putting somewhere between 6-8 hours a day into prep, and usually give myself a day to lighten the load (usually for Redzone on Sundays). Determining your best schedule depends largely on you, how much time you have to study, how you work best, etc.
The LSAT does have a way of making you feel like you are always "behind," and perhaps you are, though unlike your classes with Finals, there is no memorizable material to take into test day (No formulas, important dates, etc.). You have your strategies and your gut, spend time developing each one and over time you will feel less "behind." Walking into test day you should feel confident in your preparation, that is about all you can ask for. It is important to consider when you are signed up for/plan on taking the test, if it is in January you will have to push past the burnout, as time is running out. If you have the luxury of time, pacing yourself can be a huge help. Unfortunately these are questions only you can answer, but I hope my response has helped you in some way or another.
I am so bad at this, but you wont believe me, I am studying for at least good 6-7 hours a day, almost everyday. but I am stuck in 140s. IDK my brain cant comprehend lsat i guess.
@legallyhaya I understand this. I work full time, so when I'm not working I fill my time studying which usually means 3-4 hours/day and on the weekends I feel like I study majority of the day. That said, I realized that when I become so consumed in something, it controls me and it controls my performance. Taking a break, even when it's for 30 minutes has really helped. I also have learned that when I feel like my life is consumed with LSAT material and I'm not performing like I know I'm capable, then it's okay to take a full day off. I did this a few weeks back after having a panic attack of my lack of improvement, that I took over a day off. When I returned I jumped right back in, and it helped a lot. I think studying is just finding the right kind of balance for you. It also helps if you have friends or family that tell you "its okay to take a break". And if you don't, I'll tell you to take a break. I scored 140 (back in October for my diagnose test) but I am seeing improvement on how analyze the questions, so even if I'm still averaging in the 140s (although I have no idea because I haven't take another pretest), I'm choosing to believe that I am getting better, and that's all I can hope for. I wish you the best of luck!
@meredithm aww, thanksssss :')
Not sure if you're taking the January test or not, but it's okay to take a break! I work full time and after a busy week, I just don't bother with studying for a few days. Maybe I'll do a few questions (like 2-3) to remember what the LSAT is like, but rest is important!
Lifestyle changes, running, excersise, eating healthy, cold showers, passion reading etc might help out, Take care of your brain and body and it will take care of you. but obviously still study. Deep learning dosn't always mean the longer you study the more the more you learn, you can learn alot in a short amount of time but i believe your brain needs to be in its most optimal healthy state for that to occur ie lifestyle changes.