Sleeping the night before the test Forum

lpadr009 · Post by **lpadr009** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 7:42 pm

Hi everyone, I have always been prone to insomnia, especially because of test anxiety.
I have even had insomnia because I was nervous to do a PT

and the insomnia definitely affected my score.

Does anyone have tips for this?

Leagles5161 · Post by **Leagles5161** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 7:48 pm

Personally, the night before the exam I took Zzzquill and slept better than normal. With that said, I don't have insomnia. Really depends on what works best for you.

Judgeasaurus_Rex · Post by **Judgeasaurus_Rex** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 8:15 am

I think it is just a matter of getting your body accustomed to the time that the test will be at. If you can do this, you should avoid anxiety. Do this by going to bed at the same time each night, and waking up at the same tim each morning.

lpadr009 · Post by **lpadr009** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 3:13 pm

thank you guys!

doublehoohopeful · Post by **doublehoohopeful** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 3:18 pm

Look at your sleep hygiene. There are a ton of websites that provide details on how to get better sleep.

Regarding the LSAT specifically, the name of the game is reducing stress. I'd recommend:
-staying close to your test site if it isn't close to your house
-visiting so you're aware of what the conditions will be like, locations of bathrooms, etc.
-getting up earlier than you normally would the day before the exam, wearing yourself out physically, and getting to bed at a decent time

basedvulpes · Post by **basedvulpes** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 3:21 pm

Post removed.

doublehoohopeful · Post by **doublehoohopeful** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 3:39 pm

basedvulpes wrote:I had a lot of anxiety the day before the test so I took a crapload of melatonin. People have varying views on whether using melatonin is good, but it worked well for me.

ETA: but before resorting to that definitely make sure you're eating well, exercising, not looking at screens before bed, etc. That stuff is way more important.

I'd be careful with melatonin. It is a hormone and it will disrupt your body's natural production of it. Agree with based that your first stop should be other sleep hygiene issues, but if you do elect to try melatonin, I'd definitely try it out for at least a few weeks before the test to see how you react.

basedvulpes · Post by **basedvulpes** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 3:48 pm

Post removed.

YinFireHare · Post by **YinFireHare** » Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:10 am

I suffer from insomnia too. One of the main things is to keep a regular wake-up time and bed time. It also helps to avoid doing wakeful activities in bed/bedroom (ex: talk/text/use phone, watch TV, plan your day, use the computer, listen to music, eat, worry, pay bills, etc.) Don't go to bed unless you feel sleepy, and do not linger in bed after your alarm has sounded in the morning.

Source: Quiet Your Mind and Get to Sleep by Manber & Carney
Highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their sleep.

nlee10 · Post by **nlee10** » Fri Sep 04, 2015 12:21 pm

Get used to sleeping early friday night and waking up early Sat morning. Practice that this entire month. Figure out what foods/drinks stays well in your stomach. The nerves will go away.

Oct will be my third and last time and I feel no sense of anxiety whatsoever.