Regarding taking a break from studying... Forum

[laww]

I study for about 4-5 hours a day and I go to bed around 10pm.

I don't really get much free time but I am beginning to go crazy.

Should I go watch a movie or play a video game for a bit? Or would that be too distracting?

What do you guys do for breaks?

[bp shinners]

I study for about 4-5 hours a day and I go to bed around 10pm.

I don't really get much free time but I am beginning to go crazy.

Should I go watch a movie or play a video game for a bit? Or would that be too distracting?

What do you guys do for breaks?

If you're working full-time and putting in 4-5 hours a day, you most definitely need to take time off. Resting your brain is as important/more important to learning than just cramming the information in - without that period of rest, your brain can't recuperate and fully incorporate the information you're shoving in there. Definitely take time off - go to the movies, play some video games, hang out with friends. They're supposed to be distracting - they're distractions. But you need them to keep yourself sane.

[bbkk]

I study for about 4-5 hours a day and I go to bed around 10pm.

I don't really get much free time but I am beginning to go crazy.

Should I go watch a movie or play a video game for a bit? Or would that be too distracting?

What do you guys do for breaks?

I totally understand what you meant... While I was preparing for the June test, I studied like at least 5 hours per day everyday and I work full time too...

Here's an excerpt from TLS1776's guide about motivation/leisure. Hope it helps (it did for me).

Removing demotivating sources of pleasure - For the year I spent studying the LSAT I did not watch TV, play video-games, go to the movies, or even spend much time hanging out with friends. To be honest, I didn't do most of those things anyway (except hanging out with friends), but on top of that I noticed that after spending time watching a movie or hanging out with friends I tended to temporarily lose motivation to study. My motivation would usually come back after being on my own for a while.

Am I saying that anyone who wants to get a 180 should spurn the world outside TLS? No, not at all. All I am trying to do is point out something I noticed. If you are able to get the score you want while watching TV, feel free to do it. But if you’re spending lots of time watching TV and also having trouble staying motivated enough to make the progress you want to make on the LSAT, you should be aware that TV may be part of the reason.

I also tried to avoid books that discussed bad experiences that people had had during/after law school (e.g. “One L”, “Double Billing”). I had applied to Teach for America my senior year in college and read two books that painted grim pictures of the experience while I was in the application process; I think they may have undermined my desire to spend time preparing for the final interview, and I did a poor job on it and wasn’t accepted, while I had several friends who WERE accepted but who had also not done the amount of research that I had (i.e. they hadn't read any books on TFA). I didn’t want to make the same mistake twice (assuming it should be called a mistake).

Focusing on sources of pleasure that will reinforce your motivation to study – If you’re studying for the LSAT and relax by browsing the TLS forums, in a way you’re still prepping while you relax. You’re prepping by spending time connecting with people who share your goals and value what you are trying to accomplish, which may very well increase or maintain your motivation to study. I doubt you even have to talk about the LSAT to get that benefit; just knowing that you’re part of the same club is probably enough. In contrast, consider what happens when you meet up with some old friends and everyone ends talking about some TV show you’ve never seen. Suddenly you’re basically in a different subculture, and the effort you’ve spent on the LSAT is useless for connecting with these people; if you want to relate to them, you’re going to have to watch the show. That seems less likely to be an experience that will raise your motivation to study.

Another way to motivate yourself while relaxing is to read books about people who were glad they went to law school. I read Barack Obama’s biography, “Dreams From My Father”, as well as “The Monk and the Riddle”, two books by HLS alum who went on to be pretty happy (as far as I can tell).

[laww]

I don't work full time only 4 hours part time but with commute I spend about 7 hours outside.

At home I have chores and other things.. but I study for all 5 hours I get.

I'm just going crazy now though.

[westtech]

Take a day or two off. I work full time in a mentally intensive career (computer programming). I ride a train to work and back 2 hours each way. My average workday from the time I leave the house till the time I get home is 13.5 hours. When I get home I usually study for another hour or two and then go to bed. If I can squeeze a run in then I do. I took this last weekend off and I am in much better shape. By taking some time off you let things sink in. Lots of software engineers walk away from a problem that has been driving them nuts only to sit down later and solve it in a few minutes. This strategy works for the LSAT too. Rest is invaluable and should be a part of your study plan.