Anyone else starting to feel tense about writing the test?

sean.marz

I've studied for the LSAT for the past 8 months and have written the LSAT before so it won't be my first (or even second) sitting. I've been writing a PT most, if not every, weekend for as long as I remember. I'm scoring in a range on my timed PTs that if I were to get the average of those scores on test day I could close this chapter of my life and be happy (again, if I score closer to my BR scores I'll be even happier!).

Despite all this and feeling confident I have some nerves that are starting to build as we inch closer to the exam. I find that meditation (love that 24 minute one on the site) is helping a lot but still sometimes late at night my mind begins to wander. Anyone else feeling the same?

Maybe when that happens I should go for a midnight jog.

Julia L

I feel nervous but also excited! I've been studying for over a year, so I know what you mean. I also took it before, and the nerves really messed me up the first time.

In addition to taking PTs and thorough, thorough BR... honestly, I think the best thing I'm doing is rest and breaks from the LSAT. I just forget about it for periods of times, and I come back to it and I feel refreshed and confident.

I do meditate, which helps my concentration. And I've been running about 5 miles a few times a week, and this helps tremendously!! It knocks me out so that the nerves don't mess up my sleep. I have never been a runner, so the LSAT has motivated me to do so many things!!

Also, I've been training myself to turn my nerves into excitement. I get really excited to solve all of the questions on the test and read those SUPER INTERESTING RC passages.

Got a lot of these ideas from http://7sage.com/five-strategies-for-combating-lsat-anxiety/

You can do this!!

Artwork94

Yes, running is a must!!! I'm so in the zone when I run with my EDM pumped playlist that there is no way to start LSAT worrying, literally the only part of my day where I don't have a constant flood of LSAT "what ifs." And I have started meditating, works nicely as well

sean.marz

@"Julia L" said:
I've been training myself to turn my nerves into excitement. I get really excited to solve all of the questions on the test and read those SUPER INTERESTING RC passages.

This is great! This is definitely how I intend to handle these feelings. Thank you so much for the link to the combining anxiety article. I'm not sure that I've read it before.

@Artwork94 said:
literally the only part of my day where I don't have a constant flood of LSAT "what ifs."

Amen. Going to go for a 20 min jog before my PT tomorrow morning!

Petrichor

Totally normal! A few weeks before the test I was actually wishing it was sooner so I could just get over it! Multiple nightmares about misbubbling (actually happened a few times on PTs), not able to solve a game at all (also happened a few times on PTs), or running out of time with half the section still left (never happened on PTs, but the pressure is real!). Most relaxing I did was give myself two or three weekday nights off where I just watch movies (also I did binge on MSG V for 50 hours in Sept....). Talking with friends also helped a lot, and venting on forums. Anyways, just don't let it overwhelm you and best of luck!

EliseLSAT

I'm at the point where I feel like I may throw up at any moment and like Petrichor, I sometimes wish the test were sooner so that I can get it over with. I'm having a hard time trying to remain calm and my anxiety does not help my test performance whatsoever. I'll need to meditate/get active for these next two weeks to try to shake these nerves off.

poohbear

People really don't emphasize enough how important mental toughness is for this test. I had a couple bouts of mental breakdowns/anxiety attacks over the last few weeks, and I constantly found myself nervous over this test. It's definitely a challenge, but we just need to believe in our own abilities. Keep pushing-- it's possible!!

Artwork94

@poohbear I think mental toughness also comes into play with the "waiting game" I almost went crazy while waiting for October scores, not looking forward to this again....anyone have tips for keeping your cool the days after?