How to get into the groove and stay focused? Forum

[olikatz]

I just started prepping for the September test and I'm just having a hard time keeping focus. I know it's just a matter of self control but i wanted to know how do you guys stay motivated to keep at it? In my undergrad I would drink tons of red bull in the days leading up to the test and was able to ram through the material. My health and my wallet will not permit me to drink red bull every night till September though. Maybe I'm just intimated by the size of the pep books (I know books in law school will be just as thick). I'll be starting full time employment soon so I know keeping focused will be key during this time. Any tips you use on how to do this?

[TheDapperDruid]

I'd suggest creating a schedule/routine and sticking to it. As you are likely aware, this is not a knowledge based test that you can cram for. You need to give yourself the time and regimen that allows you to not only learn the methods but figure out what does and does not work for you. When I read through the LG Bible, I just did as much as I could handle per day, but I'd set a minimum for yourself so that you can stay on track with your time frame.

[tuesdayninja]

I found this helpful http://www.top-law-schools.com/lsat-pre ... chool.html

I'm currently working full time as well and study on the bus to and from work, during lunch, and then an hour or two after work Mon-Thursday. Friday off, 5 hours Saturday morning, Sunday off. I'm aiming for the September LSAT so I'll probably ramp up a little bit come July/August.

[moorelsat]

Make it your goal to do LSAT every day, no matter what. Even if it's just 5 LR questions. A lot of times the hardest part is just getting started.

http://lifehacker.com/281626/jerry-sein ... ity-secret

[Blueprint Mithun]

I just started prepping for the September test and I'm just having a hard time keeping focus. I know it's just a matter of self control but i wanted to know how do you guys stay motivated to keep at it? In my undergrad I would drink tons of red bull in the days leading up to the test and was able to ram through the material. My health and my wallet will not permit me to drink red bull every night till September though. Maybe I'm just intimated by the size of the pep books (I know books in law school will be just as thick). I'll be starting full time employment soon so I know keeping focused will be key during this time. Any tips you use on how to do this?

First, make a study plan for the next 5 months. There are a lot of useful articles and topics on this website about how best to prepare for the LSAT. I'd also recommend taking a look at this article: https://blueprintlsat.com/lsatblog/lsat ... tudy-plan/

If you can afford it, consider taking a prep course. Having a structure schedule already set up, where you just have to show up and do the work, might save you time and stress, as well as motivate you to keep at it. When I teach Blueprint courses, I typically have a lot of students who are working full time, who find that the class keeps them motivated to get LSAT prep done, when otherwise they'd be too exhausted and unmotivated to push themselves.

There is a degree of self-discipline that you need to have or develop to do well on this test. It's not fun. It's not easy. There will be moments when it might seem like a waste of time and energy, especially when you're stuck and not improving, even though you're not at the level you want to be. So be sure that this is what you want to do, because you'll have to stay committed if you really want to score well.

You definitely can't cram for this test, because understanding the material is only half the battle won. The tricky part is performing that well under pressure and with the time limit. The only way to master the latter is to practice and practice, which takes time.

Go easy on the Red Bull, and good luck.