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Feeling discouraged and lost motivation to study

scaism22scaism22 Core Member
in General 15 karma

Forgive me for complaining I just need to vent :')

I know everyone says the progress isn't linear, but it is SO hard to find the motivation to study after your score goes down

Three weeks ago I got a 169 on a prep test. I was ecstatic. After 3 months of studying, I felt like I was finally about to break into the 170's.

Eager to prepare for another prep test, I spent the last three weeks adding to my wrong answer journal, going through the syllabus, and drilling question types I got wrong. I felt so confident.

I just finished another prep test about an hour ago, and I scored a 164. It is not a bad score at all, and in fact if you told me 3 months ago that I would score a 164 I wouldn't believe you. But now, I feel like that 169 was just a fluke. I feel lost on how I can study better, and I am scared my score is plateauing, and I will burn out.

I just don't know how I should study more effectively. Should I just focus on going through the course? Should I just drill over and over again? I just don't know.

I know just about everyone here has gone through something similar, so I would appreciate ANY advice you have for me on how to regain this motivation and study better.

Thank you for letting me vent, good luck to everyone studying!

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Comments

  • trxcyramirez72trxcyramirez72 Live Member
    edited October 29 2 karma

    I just want to say congrats on doing so well on your prep tests, I would love to achieve such a score, but at this point I would be happy with breaking through to a 154. All this to say, the prep test numbers matter, my tutor let me know that the language seen in the early tests is not common in the newer ones, so if it is possible to focus 130+ Prep Tests it could be more realistic to what will actually be on it. I just drill LR sections because that is the added section after the removal of the games section. I am at the point where I do beat myself up at times for not scoring well and the test boring me, but there is a sense of calmness is coming to the conclusion that I am trying my best that's all I can do. I am so sorry that this is not the best advice, but truly don't doubt yourself, you clearly are more than capable of getting that 170+ score!

  • briceschrumpfbriceschrumpf Core Member
    58 karma

    I think the greatest motivation you need right now is to understand your current probability of mastering such a hard test and the idea of giving up with your current performance. Think about it like this, which is actually an accurate description, about 116,000 students enroll in law schools each year and 98% of them used their LSAT score to apply. This means, that within each year you are taking/studying this test, you are actively competing with around 113,680 students for law school admissions. Furthermore, a great majority of these students are fairly capable, smart, dedicated, and responsible, which are traits that significantly help you on this test. Now, you say that you achieved a 169 and now hover around a 164. This means that you are currently achieving better scores than 85 to 94 percent of the people who are undergoing the same battle as yourself. The average is a 153, which you are dominating by around 13 points. Also, a 153 show just how hard this test is for the average LSAT TAKER, not the average person (It is very reasonable to assume that an "average person" would be SIGNIFICANTLY lower in scores compared to an average LSAT taker). With this illustration, I hope you can comprehend just how hard this test is to master.

    All of us, 120-180 users, are actively trying to master the LSAT, not for competitive glory, not entirely on the admission process, but to beat the "game". The satisfaction we are all trying to achieve is the acknowledgement that we have overcome the test-makers "puzzles" through weeks, months, and years, of consistent stress, failure, and disappointment. Everyone of us are actively trying to win this game. However, many of us give up on ourselves far too quickly and will ultamelty have to admit defeat against the test-makers.

    With that being said, now is not the time to give up or lose motivation. You are closer than most of us to mastering this complex test, and you have a real opportunity to achieve the satisfaction that comes with overcoming such a challenging task. Remember, you're not just another student; you are among the top performers. Every bit of effort you put in brings you one step closer to your goal. Don't let fatigue rob you of the success that is within your reach. You've come too far to throw it all away now.

  • s-1334200s-1334200 Core Member
    edited October 30 108 karma

    I was in a similar boat a while ago. One of the biggest pieces of advice that I can give is that it is okay to take a break. I am taking it in November and i just took 5 days off to just rest and relax. Granted, i made sure to go to bed early, to hit the gym, and make sure i was still eating healthy. However, I gave myself a break from the LSAT.

    Additionally, if you are scoring that high, I would recommend not doing drills. For me personally, once i hit the mid-high 160s i found that i was already pretty confident with the material. What I was having more time with was strategy and timing. Feel free to read what I wrote here https://7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/comment/216525 and here https://7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/comment/216302. While drills are great on honing in on specific questions you may not be great at, once you are strong everywhere it comes down to other strategies. My diagnostic started at a 154, I then was PTing pretty consistently in the high 160s-low 170s I plateaued for a little bit but after reevaluating, i just broke through 178 on a PT. You've got this!

  • b.oshbarkerb.oshbarker Core Member
    31 karma

    I'm in the same boat I've been studying a little under 5 months now and scoring consistently between 160-163. I got my highest PT score a couple weeks ago at 168 and was thrilled only to get a 161 on the next PT I took. I think it's important to have the right perspective however. Getting a score like that and then scoring a lot lower subsequently doesn't mean you aren't still progressing. I always have to remind myself progress isn't linear. But scoring several points higher than you are averaging isn't a fluke, it just means you're breaking into new score capabilities and over time that 169 will become your average, with scores in the 170s becoming those "flukes."

  • yuzuryfyuzuryf Core Member
    11 karma

    I was in a similar situation, after averaging 165 I got a 172, but the next one was 168. I also thought maybe 172 was just luck, maybe 165-168 is where I'm at.
    But I want to tell you the cliche that YOU NEED TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. If I can do it once, I CAN DO IT AGAIN. I find that subconscious suggestions really influences my performance - my ability to think and judgement.

  • finoabellfinoabell Free Trial Member
    edited November 20 4 karma

    I totally understand your frustration, but don't let one test define your progress. A 164 is still a great score! It’s common to hit plateaus, so take a step back and reassess your strategy. Focus on weaker areas, try different study methods, and remember, consistency is key. You're making progress, even if it feels slow! Keep going! I used https://oxessays.com/write-my-essay for a critical essay, and the outcome was fantastic. The writer’s attention to detail and ability to articulate ideas effectively impressed both me and my professor. The entire process was easy, and the customer service team was very supportive. I’m so glad I trusted them, and I’ll continue to use their services for future projects.

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