Top Law Schools

I was hoping someone could provide some personal anecdotal experience on how getting their diet and physical health under control (exercising) changed how they performed on the LSATs or I guess any intellectual endeavor.

It helps a lot and in no way can hurt... not just for the LSAT but life in general. Go on, get on that damn treadmill!

I'm sure it could help, but it's not necessary. I kept "meaning to" start exercising while I was studying for the LSAT. But with working full time and having other responsibilities, I didn't. I don't think it hindered my performance.

I do think some exercise would have helped me manage my stress a bit better.

LSAT=STRESSFUL!!

.

princeR wrote:It helps a lot and in no way can hurt... not just for the LSAT but life in general. Go on, get on that damn treadmill!

Once I got into the routine it helped me in various ways including my practice test scores increasing up to close to my goal in the last month or so. I had been stuck in a lower range for a while before getting into the exercise and eating well routine.

I rode the lifecycle 3-4 times a week starting about six weeks before the test. My stress level went way down, I felt much better, had more energy and endurance, was able to think faster and more clearly with less effort, it made it easy to fall asleep at about the same time every night to get a good nights sleep, and made food much more enjoyable.

Good nutrition also helps. A good balance of quality complex carbs and good sources of protein/amino acids is important and helps. Oatmeal is a good source of complex carbs for breakfast. Eggs are a great source of quality protein. Tuna and is a great source of quality protein as well as Omega-3, which is good for the brain.

Also, vitamins and minerals. B-complex vitamins (b-50, b-100 or b-150 complex formulas) are really helpful for energy and brain function/cognition. They are the ones that make your pee bright yellow. They are pretty cheap at CVS or Rite-Aid and other places. Also a standard multivitamin such as Centrum.

All this is simply good to do whether it's to take the LSAT or not.

Jeffort wrote:

princeR wrote:It helps a lot and in no way can hurt... not just for the LSAT but life in general. Go on, get on that damn treadmill!

Once I got into the routine it helped me in various ways including my practice test scores increasing up to close to my goal in the last month or so. I had been stuck in a lower range for a while before getting into the exercise and eating well routine.

I rode the lifecycle 3-4 times a week starting about six weeks before the test. My stress level went way down, I felt much better, had more energy and endurance, was able to think faster and more clearly with less effort, it made it easy to fall asleep at about the same time every night to get a good nights sleep, and made food much more enjoyable.

Good nutrition also helps. A good balance of quality complex carbs and good sources of protein/amino acids is important and helps. Oatmeal is a good source of complex carbs for breakfast. Eggs are a great source of quality protein. Tuna and is a great source of quality protein as well as Omega-3, which is good for the brain.

Also, vitamins and minerals. B-complex vitamins (b-50, b-100 or b-150 complex formulas) are really helpful for energy and brain function/cognition. They are the ones that make your pee bright yellow. They are pretty cheap at CVS or Rite-Aid and other places. Also a standard multivitamin such as Centrum.

All this is simply good to do whether it's to take the LSAT or not.

I chuckle in a library

There's an evolutionary response from cardiovascular exercise - you think clearer temporarily. If you're stuck on a tough concept or trying to see the subtlety of something, go for a run and try and think about it.

It helped me.

lovejopd wrote: I chuckle in a library

tfleming09 wrote:There's an evolutionary response from cardiovascular exercise - you think clearer temporarily. If you're stuck on a tough concept or trying to see the subtlety of something, go for a run and try and think about it.

It helped me.

While studying for important difficult tests (UG finals, LSAT, law school finals, the bar exam and others) that is the technique I've used and it always worked out well. When I got lazy and failed to do it leading up to a test my grades suffered.

I like lifting weights, and following a healthy diet compliments my studying not because of the nutrition but because of the discipline. Like studying for the LSAT, working out means creating a workout routine and sticking to it, as well as following a good diet.

Being able to maintain all of these things, really gets you in the habit of following through with everything as well as setting goals for yourself to attain a certain level of improvement.

What are all you guys smoking? I think best with a fat dip in after drinking a pot of coffee and eating the local KFC out of business.

Tom Joad wrote:What are all you guys smoking? I think best with a fat dip in after drinking a pot of coffee and eating the local KFC out of business.

LMAO

It would be funny to watch you turn green and hurl during the test after swallowing since I don't think the proctors will allow a spit cup on the desk or tolerate you spitting the juice on the floor.

Jeffort wrote:

Tom Joad wrote:What are all you guys smoking? I think best with a fat dip in after drinking a pot of coffee and eating the local KFC out of business.

LMAO

It would be funny to watch you turn green and hurl during the test after swallowing since I don't think the proctors will allow a spit cup on the desk or tolerate you spitting the juice on the floor.

I am done with the LSAT and I always chewed while studying, and I was really nervous about not having nicotine during the test, but the adrenaline made up for it and I don't think withdrawal hurt me.

Tom Joad wrote:

Jeffort wrote:

Tom Joad wrote:What are all you guys smoking? I think best with a fat dip in after drinking a pot of coffee and eating the local KFC out of business.

LMAO

It would be funny to watch you turn green and hurl during the test after swallowing since I don't think the proctors will allow a spit cup on the desk or tolerate you spitting the juice on the floor.

I am done with the LSAT and I always chewed while studying, and I was really nervous about not having nicotine during the test, but the adrenaline made up for it and I don't think withdrawal hurt me.

I used 4mg nicorette gum, two while waiting in line to check in and one during the break. It worked like a charm.

Dip is hardcore, that stuff gives you a hell of a rush. I did it for about two months many years ago, mainly to have a disgusting habit so a girl I was in some sort of relationship with would stop wanting to go on dates, stop coming around and wanting to hang out. It didn't work. lol

I would do proper diet and exercise just for yourself and your own health, not just to succeed on the LSAT.

Getting a good night's sleep is far more important in my opinion.

bernaldiaz wrote:Getting a good night's sleep is far more important in my opinion.

This. In particular, try to get into a good sleep cycle the week before test day so you can preform 100%. Generally, being in better overall health will help too but sleep is definitely the most important part IMO.

beebela wrote:

bernaldiaz wrote:Getting a good night's sleep is far more important in my opinion.

This. In particular, try to get into a good sleep cycle the week before test day so you can preform 100%. Generally, being in better overall health will help too but sleep is definitely the most important part IMO.

Of course, exercising regularly can help you regulate and maintain a healthy sleep schedule, so the two are definitely related.

But it isn't going to magically give you extra points on the LSAT, either.

Seoulless wrote:I was hoping someone could provide some personal anecdotal experience on how getting their diet and physical health under control (exercising) changed how they performed on the LSATs or I guess any intellectual endeavor.

Not eating improves memory and cognitive speed for short periods of time, but has a long term deleterious effect on health. I ate an early dinner before my LSAT and skipped breakfast.

I drank smoothies on a regular basis a few months leading up to the lsat and I swear the blueberries I put in them made my brain function better.

.

.

I don't know if good diet and exercise will actually help your LSAT score, but for me I try to make sure I get 7 hours of sleep and I eat a ridiculously healthy diet (though I have illnesses that require me to eat this way). My immune system is awful, and being in college you are constantly exposed to illness, so eating healthy will really help you fight that cold/flu/whatever that's going to set you back a week in your studies. Getting a good night's sleep is key to good brain function IMO. There's almost no point in me trying to pull an all-nighter, I don't retain anything. So just stick to a schedule and you'll be able to get your sleep. I usually don't have time for exercise, but I wish I did because its an excellent stress reliever. I loved working out when I lived on campus (across from the gym), but now I can't find much time for it.

Do cardio, it helps keep the stress low. As for diet, low carbs, moderate protein, don't eat anything after 10.