Why does burn out happen? Forum

[jarofsoup]

I was trying to take a practice test to day and then I got to the logic games and I just couldnt think anymore nothing made sense it was a mess.

I had been scoring a 167 and today(my third prep test for the week) I couldnt even finish a test.

Why does this burnout happen?

Does anyone know the psychology behind it and a method to prevent it?

[JasonR]

Sounds like you need to stop studying for a week or two.

[09042014]

Because you touch yourself at night.

[09042014]

Stress, fatigue, and carelessness. I didn't get burn out, but I didn't study for long, just intensely. Take a couple days off and hit the books again.

[ConMan345]

I studied hard for awhile, hit a plateau, took the holidays off (about 3 weeks), came back, and my average jumped 4-5 points. There's something to be said for letting things settle.

[KibblesAndVick]

I don't know anything about the psychology of burnout but I can speak to my personal experience. When I was studying for the LSAT I was spending 5 or 6 hours a day at the library taking PTs and reviewing mistakes. I did this more or less every day for a month and a half.

Two different things would go wrong for me that resembled "burnout". The first was a lack of endurance. Most people have a tough time taking 5 sections in a row when they first start studying. Even if you haven't looked at LSAT questions in a few days you have to develop the ability to concentrate for several hours. You need to be at the top of your game for the whole test. Getting past this is just a matter of practice and pure will power. After you do enough PTs they just don't seem that bad anymore. You start to get into a rhythm and the "easy" questions (like the first couple of LR in a section) don't take much effort. You also just have to force yourself to stay focused. The odds are pretty good that you won't give a flying f*&$ about at least 1 of the 4 passages in RC. You just have to force yourself to pay attention. Embrace the will to power and channel it into continuous focus.

The second way it goes to hell is if you try to do too many LSAT questions in a short time frame. I tried to do a PT three days in a row a couple of times. By the third day I just didn't have the mental capacity to take the LSAT. I would have to read LR stems 3 or 4 times before they made sense. Even when I was doing the first of the five sections I just couldn't think clearly. This might have something to do with a depletion of some brain chemicals or whatnot. I don't know jack about brain chemistry, but that seems plausible. If that's what you're feeling like I would suggest you just stop doing LSAT work. Stop doing anything that requires you to use your brain. Sleep and/or get drunk. Take a few days off and come back to it with a clear mind. It's similar to when you're writing a paper and then you re-read it a few days later. You just have a clearer, more objective, mind frame when you look at it again. Just stay positive and take it in stride.

I'm sorry that this is so long, but I hope it helps a bit. Good luck and kick butt!

[KibblesAndVick]

Oh, and make sure you're working out while you're doing your studies. If you do physical exercise (it doesn't much matter what you do, just do something) you'll be a lot less stressed.

[jarofsoup]

Thanks for the replies I think I am going to take time off I have midterms next week. I have a lot of time before the test and it is better to burn out now than in June

[typ3]

i've had a few instances of burnout.. but what usually happens is I will have trouble falling a sleep at night due to thinking about the lsat. I always regret going to sleep because I feel like I should be doing something like studying or homework.

[waxecstatic]

I was trying to take a practice test to day and then I got to the logic games and I just couldnt think anymore nothing made sense it was a mess.

I had been scoring a 167 and today(my third prep test for the week) I couldnt even finish a test.

Why does this burnout happen?

Does anyone know the psychology behind it and a method to prevent it?

It happens if the LSAT is your life, all you think about it, and all you do. If you have a girlfriend/boyfriend, I guarantee burnout will not become an issue, unless it is with them.