Self-paced
Normally, I don’t study with music, but I have decided to try it. While on the train studying, I listen to music. I know to not listen to music while doing timed practice tests or timed sections. What about music while doing untimed drills? Music while doing timed drills? What about music when reading/reviewing foundationals?
Music seems to improve my focus by helping me somewhat better zone out . But I don’t want to depend on it/bad crutch habit that then affects me when I don’t have the music during PTs/sections.
Someone in the LSAT community did bring up a good point that music could be there as I build good logical thinking and by the time I rip away the music I would have these good logical habits so the lack of music wouldn’t affect me.
Thoughts on music while studying and when I should and shouldn’t listen?
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6 comments
When it’s noisy at home or work, I’ll put on some instrumental. One noise blocks out the other. Usually do it when it’s not ideal studying conditions but I wanna study.
@JessOk yes good point! I use music when on the train bc there’s a lot going on
Hello!
In my case, I did not listen to music while solving any questions (PTs or drills), but I did listen to it sometimes during my review. Honestly, the music was there to keep my motivation up. When I felt like I really didn't want to study, I gave myself the privilege of enjoying music so that I could stay engaged in my studying.
Because you won't get to listen to music on the actual exam, not getting used to it during PTs or timed sections is a very good idea (which is exactly what you are already doing). However, if music can motivate you to get through your review or untimed foundational work, then I absolutely believe it can be used as a great tool!
@SerinJ thank you! Yes good point, sometimes music is a good way to stay motivated when I feel like I’m starting to crack a bit from the constant grind
hi! as someone who also listens to music while studying for the lsat, right now this is what i'm doing:
untimed drills : music
reading/review: music
timed drills : no music
pt/sections: no music
(this is purely lofi/instrumental beats with no lyrics)
i find that the music also helps me focus (and just makes the studying a little more enjoyable) and i try to use it to further motivate my brain to enjoy the LSAT during casual settings. i also view it as a created tiny distraction that i force my brain to work through so that when i'm under pressured situations with no music, hypothetically the lack of distraction should make it easier.
i haven't really seen a noticeable difference in my performance between the different situations, but i do notice that my focus is improving during pressured situations. what type of music are you listening to when you study and how have you seen music affect your performance (if at all)?
@blueberry thank you! I have been listening to my Spotify playlist(bit distracting tho) but back when I first started studying I listened to lofi no lyrics (will go back to this).
I think I have to try listening to lofi again and see how my performance goes