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And I don't mean just for the LSAT - for anything.
Do you unwind with some TV? What shows do you watch?
Do you snack or grab some coffee? Run around the block?
Maybe you read a book or chat/text a friend?
:)
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35 comments
I'm not even taking the LSAT and I'm using Elle Woods as motivation tbh.
This is such a great motivator and I use it all the time. Whenever I feel stumped or burnt out I always look at different law school/lawyer related things that I look forward to doing and it motivates me again.
What also helps me is just visualizing the career I want. Not necessarily anything unrealistic, obviously. But just reminding myself that this will soon be over, and that I can do it if I keep at it. Constant reassurance, validating my emotions (even the burn out/negativity. its good to address those and give them legitimacy, but then turn those fears inside out by reasoning through them), and then push past it.
I used to work for a few different international courts, and I would sit in on legal proceedings and I just absolutely loved it. The one thing I remember distinctly is the strong smell of coffee and all the attorneys I worked with. Sometimes when I'm feeling particularly burnt out I go to a coffee shop and just that smell brings back positive memories and motivates me.
Otherwise, a good fast beat song and an intense work out, or talking through my frustrations about the LSAT with a friend work well for me. I definitely find that having more than 2 things that help motivate you works best. 3-4 things is great.
I knew I wanted to be a lawyer since I was a kid. In high school I attended those over-priced law forums for students, participated in mock trial, and in college I went the traditional route in my major (pre-law polisci with a double major in Spanish). Life happened and wasn't able to apply after college. I've been in the workforce for almost 10 years now and absolutely hate my current job. I realized I was in a stagnant position, with no room for me to get promoted, unless I went out and got a civil engineering degree. That's when I decided its time for me to try and get into law school. I'm ready to call the shots. I'm ready for someone to value my professional opinion. This is what keeps me motivated. Studying for the LSAT is daunting, I'm not going to lie, but coming on these forums helps me realize I'm not alone in this journey. I've taken up meditation to help with focus and testing anxiety, I'm starting to exercise, and I'm allowing myself to actually take the time and learn the material. This is my second go around with 7Sage, and after a brief recess, I'm picking up things I didn't get the first time.
I love brewing coffee (pour-overs, immersion, espresso, Turkish, etc.).
New motivation...
My biggest motivation is thinking of failure...not because I actually failed but because I DECIDED to fail. I picture myself staring into the mirror with extreme disappointment. I picture not being who I need to be for my famIly. I picture being unhappy and having to deal with the lack of fulfillment seeping into interpersonal relationships with my family and my son. Reading this forum also helps me a lot! Just knowing that I am not alone saves me from going into an endless rut of insanity.
Thank you @7sagestudentservices A. Wright!!
Congrats!!
Seinfeld : Have watched it many many times but still cracks me up, I can repeat the dialogues and do not have to use my brains at all.
Reading posts and discussions such as this one makes me motivated. It is so difficult for me to start studying, so I tell myself: "Let me go to 7Sage and read what people have to say about their studying, their goals and their problems." It helps me realize that I am not the only one for whom the LSAT is difficult. The support of all the people here is really motivational. So after some time of reading the discussions it is so much easier to go back to my syllabus or my problems. Thank you 7Sage and the wonderful people who share and post!!!
@joegotbored149 The LSAT reminds me of those few minutes in Mean Girls when Cady gives her internal monologue on how she can't stop talking about Regina George, whether it's just casually dropping her name in conversation or just to hate on her: "it just kept coming up, like word vomit." That's how I feel about the LSAT. I can tell people are getting bored when I talk about some logical fallacy when someone makes but it's the only thing on my mind right now haha
Fishing keeps me sane haha. That, and thinking about the potential feeling of exhilaration I will get if I crush the LSAT and get into the school I want to attend. Throw some xbox in the mix and I'm ready to tackle some studying.
Basically once i had my son, this last year has been amazing, my resolve has changed completely, i was weak minded in ways, now nothing will get in my way.
I look at my Life and realize that i want and need more to be who i want to be in life for my son and family.
Giving some time to yourself and having some fun in life is the best thing we can do to stay more positive and motivated. We have to believe in what we really want. It always help to achieve our goals easily.
I changed the background of my laptop to Cornell's library. Seems to help every time I jump on my computer to go on reddit of something stupid.
Positive motivation is really good. Think about your dream school and how happy you will be to go there. Read about it in your free time. I like to go on runs and just think. Or hike to places where there aren't many people and just sit. Or walk the dogs. Getting outside is highly undervalued.
On the other end of the spectrum, something that I will be using more this time around, is how bad the job market is and how vital it is to do well. Previously my goal was to do my best and go to the best school I can. This time it's get the right score or move on to a new career.
Shopping and a good book get me by lol
lots and lots of running... and since I'm a Batman fan... I like to brood... and plan... and to give myself respite watch episodes of Batman TAS/ Justice League/ JLU :D - Oh yes...and listen to the Rocky Speech from time to time as well ( @7sagestudentservices for the win on that one). P.S. Batman is not Michael Keaton (though he's the best onscreen Bats) or Val Kilmer or (ugh...) George Clooney or even Bale and certainly NOT #Batfleck (who knows maybe I'll change my mind)... Batman is Kevin Conroy!!!
For the LSAT though... I had more than enough motivation... the dream of getting a JD from a top school was something that I had been chasing from 2010 - 11 ever since I went to Penn LAw for my first U.S. LL.M.
Yes to ROCKY!!!!
Obligatory Rocky motivational speech.
I relax by watching my favourite TV show, Doctor Who (especially after a bad PT). Watching the doctor run around saving the universe really helps me keep my mind off the test (I tend to over think and over analyse) until I am ready to EXTERMINATE the LSAT.
I enjoy fishing out in my back yard after a long day of studying, as well as go out with my girlfriend for dinner after a long day of studying as well. Glad she fully supports me, makes it a lot easier.
Listen to Funeral by Arcade Fire. It makes you want to take on the world, and of course the LSAT :D
For the LSAT, make short term goals and remind yourself of your long term goals. Short term: make weekly schedules for the lessons and practice that you want to accomplish that week. It's very satisfying to meet these weekly goals and know that you're making incremental progress. Long term: remember why you are taking this test in the first place. I've been researching law schools on the side, and making a comparison chart of the pros and cons of different schools. It gets me excited!
And enjoy what you are learning! Admire the art of argument. What we are learning now will only benefit us as good thinkers, and good lawyers in the future :)
I personally relax with a hot cup of chai honey tea and get my frustrations out in video games. Smack some champions in League of Legends, punch a boss in World of Warcraft.. That kind of stuff.
Either that, or I'm watching Man Yells at Bar Staff and Throws Stuff. (Otherwise known as Bar Rescue, haha.)