i generally study at least 3 hours a day. i felt that 3 hours a day would be sufficient for me because i am fast learner and my attention span does not last long. what do those of you with short attention spans do to focus on studying? I'd like to know so i can study for at least an hour and half longer.
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47 comments
I usually study 4-6 hours a day. Morning 10:00-1:00, then break for two hours, and then 3:00-5:00. I find I can really take my time and digest info with this schedule. Plus it gives you space to take breaks in between studying which is good to gain mental focus, I think.
I work 40 hour weeks so for me... I study first thing when I get up for about an hour to hour and a half... at lunch for an hour during my break and after work for an hour depending on how my brain is. On the weekends, I study a lot more aggressively because I have all day, so anywhere between 5-6 hours with breaks in between of course.
I too work 40+ hours/wk with the unscheduled OT a law firm offers. I'm often too drained to want to waste fresh material on the mush that my brain is after a day of work, so I take probably 2-3 lunches per week to just study and then I do as much as I can take on the weekends. I started a the beginning of February aiming for the June 9 test, and I think I'm going to be ready. If i'm not hitting my floor target score of 170 by then, I'll just eat the registration fee and keep prepping until the October test. Wish I had started studying December or so.
I study for about 3 hours in the morning, when my kid is in daycare, and then for about 2-3 hours at night after he goes to bed. On the weekends 4-5 hours. I quit my job a few months ago to start studying for LSAT. I thought that it would take 2-3 months and I would be ready... Little did I know. :)
I work full time in a hospital. Around 70 hours a week. I like to study a full two-three hours, anywhere from 3AM or 4AM until it's time to go to work. You just have to find time and then put as much effort into it as you can. The other responses here are instructive for me as well.
@cupcakestealer394 Nguyen: I don't know how you do it. I work 40+ hours a week over at my law firm and it's strenuous. It's a real struggle to get any lsat stuff done throughout the weekdays. Props.
I think it's not really about the quantity but the quality. For instance 1 hour might be enough for someone to focus and understand everything but some other people might need more. Your studying is objective. A good way to start for instance: Try to do one to two lessons per day, do the exercise, blind review your answers. Sleep on it and do the questions 2 days later to make sure that you understood the process. That's how I have been doing it - I'm not saying it's the right way but it has been working for me so far. Good luck!
Studying for an arbitrary 3 hours a day isn't going to be conducive to you unless you have a focused regiment of what you need to do that exact day. If you don't have any specific trouble spots, I'd recommend you aggressively and methodically go through the syllabus in order.
Yeah, I work out at night. I find that it helps me go to sleep and release my anxiety. I follow this home routine:
Push ups(3 sets)
Pull ups(3 sets)
Squats(3 sets)
crunches(3 Sets)
Dumbbell Curls(3 sets)
And a random triceps work out.
Do this 2x a week and you should be good to go. But remember to eat brain food. I notice I have more energy if I stop eating bread and eat more of this:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-foods-boost-your-brainpower
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/18/brain-food-superfoods_n_1895328.html
Trust me, after studying for over a year, the hardest part is to remain with inspiration and mental stamina!
Kubrick's great. I've been trying to play ultimate and work out more. I would love to watch more films, but I find that physical releases are a more effective for me as a reset button.
@laestelle2009241- It took me about a year. It was a real struggle. 3 months to reach 145 another 3 months to get to a 150 range and another to get into the 153-156 range.
Thanks. Glad your library understands.
5 year old thread. Off topic, but I wonder where these OG people are in their careers and lives. Presumably they've graduated from law schools, and working in law firms, government, solo, etc.
@sepace261 that technique sounds awesome! sounds like it is for people like me. i'll try it out! Thank you!
@cupcakestealer394 2014, thanks for the advice on Pomodoro Technique! I will try out next week.
E.T. thanks for the links!
I am also working full-time and studying about 20 hrs per week, but I miss working out. I really have to manage my time well. I study after work for about 2-3 hrs during the week and 6-7 hrs on Sat, and 4 hrs on Sun. It is not easy. I am trying to wake up early and study but I was not able yet. Great to hear that other people are having issues too.
@torahisland910-Eyes Wide Shut. Great film and I still remain to be disappointed by Kubrick.
@mzsheribaby2983258- I understand, just remember, its not about the amount of hours you put it, its about the quality of hours. For example, today I woke up and I was determined to study 5 hours, however, I felt without energy. I could have forced my self to study, but my experience doing this has proofed that studying with bad energy is only harmful(you end up rushing the lessons, and not truly focusing). So what did I do? I ended up watching a movie by Stanley Kubrick. I am sure that tomorrow I will be mentally rested and ready to study at my full potential.
Listen to your instincts.
this is a great thread for me. I am a full time mom and a full time author. I am having a hard time finding a balance to study for the LSAT
I study 9-12:30, and 1-5 every day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and on Mondays and Thursdays I take a PT. Starting the last/first week of April/May, I will begin taking PTs on M,W, and F at 1:00pm to simulate the test (which is at 12:30 pm in June) for four weeks. For the two weeks before the exam, I will only take two PTs per week: Monday and Thursday at 1:00pm.
I try to get an hour in after work, at least twice a week, on top of a 2-hour tutoring session once a week. Since I work 40 hours a week (sometimes more) it is really difficult to motivate myself Monday through Friday. Thus, my weekends is when I commit to 5-7 hours per day. With breaks of course. Additionally, whenever I have down time (like during my commute to and from work) I will study - the moments that were once useless are now small accomplishments!
Wow, @michellemoon0708834 Gladsky-1. Quite the schedule! I like the devotion.
Don't you just hate it when you study more than 4 hours and you begin to get tired and cannot read anymore? After my fourth hour I begin to loose focus!
@alieiwazali11834.T.90066-1 i hope you do get that 160! that is around my target score! how long did it take you to get the 155 from 139, i think your improvement was great!