Burnout NOW?? Forum

[susanqr91]

Hi all, I know LSAT burnout has been discussed at length, but the timing of mine is rather inconvenient. I've been sick for the past 2 days (studying just as much though) and I took a PE this morning. My score dipped 4 points! While I know that doesn't sound too bad, I'm in the high 160/low 170 range, so they make a HUGE difference.

I noticed most of my mistakes are careless oversights/misreadings that I never use to do, which leads me to believe it's burnout v. my sickness. But with the LSAT so close, I'm not sure what to do? Take the rest of the week off? Study very lightly up until the day before the test? Obviously there's no right answer, but what would you do in my case?

[Nova]

chalk it up as a bad day and take it easy if you feel burnt out.

[NotASpecialSnowflake]

I wouldn't sweat it. You are probably burnt out, and it sounds like you are sick too. I don't think anyone feels burnt out on test day, we're all too nervous to be tired of it. You just had a bad test. It happens. After the worst test I had, I came back with my highest score. Don't freak out, do drills if you need a confidence boost, but don't worry otherwise.

[drevo]

I would say definitely give yourself some sort of break for the last couple days. Have you noticed any increase/decrease in the past after taking a few days easy or off completely? The reason I ask is because if before you have taken a couple day break and returned to a normal (or better) PT score then there is no harm in doing so.

The first time I took a break that was over a day was unintentional and forced by me leaving school related studies to the last minute. I had always tried to give myself a day break every week because I read it was the thing to do but never really felt that burnt out. After essentially a 5-6 day break in which at most I studied for an hour on LSAT stuff on a couple of those days, I came back and PT'd 4 points higher and finally broke into the upper 170s and have been able to stay there so far. The fact that you aren't feeling too well physically also points to a break being beneficial. There is no denying the fact that physical and mental condition are correlated. So if you are just trying to mentally power through the sickness and stressing it is likely to make you feel even worse.

Take this all with a grain of salt because this is just based on how my body and mind work and obviously everyone is different.

[ioannisk]

how much studying you do per day?

[Rollontheground]

God. I'm doing the same thing. My past 6 tests have been between 173 and 162. Let's hope we're on the upside of this shit come Saturday.

[susanqr91]

It varies, I do anywhere from 2 to 6 or 7 hours. Probably an average of 4 or 5. I thought taking some days easy would prevent burnout butttt guess not.

Thanks for the replies guys, they really help an over thinker like me. Good luck rollontheground, I'm hoping the game day mentality will keep us on the upper end of our scores!

[ioannisk]

you study 2 to 7 hours a DAY?
Do you have a job?

[susanqr91]

@ioannisk, yeah I do, but I'm extremely lucky with my hours (I always get out by 3), and my parents are helping me out so I can work a little less. It's a blessing, I admire all of you who are balancing this AND a full time job/undergrad!

[rebexness]

I would take it easy. Take today off. Do some games (or your fave section) on Thursday and Friday.