Should I work / volunteer while I study? Forum

[Mr. Momo]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the forums, and I'm rather new to studying for the LSAT. I just started towards the end of May, and I'm currently on the Blueprint online course. Since I started the course, I've been doing nothing else but relaxing at home. My question is - should I be doing something more? Would law schools look upon me unfavorably if I have a gap between now and September (which is when I plan to take the test, but December is also a possibility). Also, is work looked upon more favorably than volunteering?

I am in a position where I can financially afford not to work until after I take the test. I'm just a bit worried that working would really hurt my learning.

Any comments / opinions appreciated! Admittedly I'm feeling a bit lost right now since I do lack a good structure in my schedule.

[proteinshake]

I don't think it matters if you take the summer off. I have no obligations for the summer other than LSAT studying and will be looking for work after September. if you want to get work for the summer, I'd recommend a weekend job or interning/volunteering a few hours a week, nothing full time. I MIGHT try to get a weekend job somewhere but I'm not sure. I'd also recommend using the free time to workout, it will indirectly help you with the LSAT (more energy/focus).

[Deardevil]

Hey, Momo.

I'm also in the same boat, having recently graduated and started studying for the LSAT while on vacation.
While I don't think work can necessarily hinder your progress (depends what job), I'd argue it generally does factor into it.

Maybe I'm just a slacker, but when I worked during my undergraduate days, I'd sometimes "call in sick"
or always had a helping hand (I was a tutor), but only because I didn't fully understand the material or that I was more worried about finals. However, everyone's different, as some of my friends did work part-time and even full-time jobs while still attending class.

Bottom line is... I think, like reading comprehension strategies, you should see what works best for you.
Just because I can't juggle multiple things doesn't mean you can't.
You won't truly know unless you try, so although I say you should go for it,
I personally wouldn't recommend it, especially if you plan to take the test so soon.
Some folks took a year (even up to two) preparing for the test, slaving away at home while occasionally leaving their rocks for a Krabby Patty,
so you need not worry about any gaps and just direct most, if not all, attention towards reviewing.
I also agree with what proteinshake proposes: working out (that's exactly what I'm doing here and there).
If that's not what you're into, find something else to relieve you of stress because burnout is never a good sign.

Hope this helps.

[Mr. Momo]

Hey, Momo.

I'm also in the same boat, having recently graduated and started studying for the LSAT while on vacation.
While I don't think work can necessarily hinder your progress (depends what job), I'd argue it generally does factor into it.

Maybe I'm just a slacker, but when I worked during my undergraduate days, I'd sometimes "call in sick"
or always had a helping hand (I was a tutor), but only because I didn't fully understand the material or that I was more worried about finals. However, everyone's different, as some of my friends did work part-time and even full-time jobs while still attending class.

Bottom line is... I think, like reading comprehension strategies, you should see what works best for you.
Just because I can't juggle multiple things doesn't mean you can't.
You won't truly know unless you try, so although I say you should go for it,
I personally wouldn't recommend it, especially if you plan to take the test so soon.
Some folks took a year (even up to two) preparing for the test, slaving away at home while occasionally leaving their rocks for a Krabby Patty,
so you need not worry about any gaps and just direct most, if not all, attention towards reviewing.
I also agree with what proteinshake proposes: working out (that's exactly what I'm doing here and there).
If that's not what you're into, find something else to relieve you of stress because burnout is never a good sign.

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for the reply!
I feel like I'm in the odd position where I know I get exhausted pretty easily when I do work, but if I don't, I have too much time. I worked part-time one summer in retail (30hrs/week) and I couldn't wait to crawl into bed the moment I got home. Ideal situation would be if I can somehow find a job with enough flexibility that I can either only work a few hours a day or only a few days a week. I feel like realistically though, those jobs are hard to find and near nonexistent.

I'll try looking into workout options. The only problem is, the gym near me sucks and is expensive. What else have you been doing to keep busy?

[Deardevil]

Not gonna lie; when I say I'm on vacation, I mean I'm on vacation, traveling to all corners of a single, albeit small, country.
But assuming you're asking what I'd be doing if I weren't already partaking in various activities, like posting on Instagram,
I'd probably watch a show, which doesn't require me to move far away from my study materials like going to a gym would.
However, working out doesn't mean you absolutely must attend a gym, thus adding more to your already tight budget.
I actually find limited resources, such as a set of dumbbells, to be quite efficient, as I can bench, lift, overhead press, etc.
In addition, squats and simply jogging around the block constitute as working out;
it doesn't have to be an intense regime unless you're trying out for the 2018 Olympics or something (maybe a little late to start).

If exercise still isn't a plausible option (because I was extremely unmotivated to do any at one point),
my suggestions include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Watch your favorite program (an episode or two is sufficient; binge-watching is a big no-no, and while I know you're dying to know what happens in the season finale of Daredevil, it's better to treat yourself to the rest after acing the LSAT)
- Draw (this may vary because I'm an artsy person, but I find it relaxing to just forget about reality for a second and just immerse myself into something serene, and because I don't go all-out on sketches, this activity doesn't distract me much from the more important matters at hand)
- Read a book (yeah, you're already doing a lot of that, but it helps in the long run for reading comprehension; learn to endure reading because you'll be doing a helluva lot more on PrepTests, so might as well start somewhere)

What not to do goes without saying: taking piano lessons during this time, going out to the club every night, working a 9-5 24/7...
That's all I got. Best of luck!

[Mr. Momo]

Not gonna lie; when I say I'm on vacation, I mean I'm on vacation, traveling to all corners of a single, albeit small, country.
But assuming you're asking what I'd be doing if I weren't already partaking in various activities, like posting on Instagram,
I'd probably watch a show, which doesn't require me to move far away from my study materials like going to a gym would.
However, working out doesn't mean you absolutely must attend a gym, thus adding more to your already tight budget.
I actually find limited resources, such as a set of dumbbells, to be quite efficient, as I can bench, lift, overhead press, etc.
In addition, squats and simply jogging around the block constitute as working out;
it doesn't have to be an intense regime unless you're trying out for the 2018 Olympics or something (maybe a little late to start).

If exercise still isn't a plausible option (because I was extremely unmotivated to do any at one point),
my suggestions include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Watch your favorite program (an episode or two is sufficient; binge-watching is a big no-no, and while I know you're dying to know what happens in the season finale of Daredevil, it's better to treat yourself to the rest after acing the LSAT)
- Draw (this may vary because I'm an artsy person, but I find it relaxing to just forget about reality for a second and just immerse myself into something serene, and because I don't go all-out on sketches, this activity doesn't distract me much from the more important matters at hand)
- Read a book (yeah, you're already doing a lot of that, but it helps in the long run for reading comprehension; learn to endure reading because you'll be doing a helluva lot more on PrepTests, so might as well start somewhere)

What not to do goes without saying: taking piano lessons during this time, going out to the club every night, working a 9-5 24/7...
That's all I got. Best of luck!

Lucky! I would love to travel right now. If you don't mind me asking, what country is it?
And I'm just going to run with your advice and try to do little things to keep myself busy. I'm still trying to look into volunteer options that don't require a huge commitment, so hopefully that goes well! And as for exercise... ahhh, if only I can get off the couch.

[RamTitan]

If you're taking it in September, go full throttle and attack the test. But if you wait any longer I'd suggest doing something; it can be helpful to take your mind off the LSAT.

[amta]

this is my third take upcoming. i have worked through all three. it's doable but you really have to give up everything else. i didn't reach my full potential in December because i didn't give up everything else. full bore for september then work imo.

[Mr. Momo]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Seems like the consensus is that full-time studying until September would not be a bad way to go. A higher LSAT trumps work / volunteer experience, so I'll be dedicating my time to that

[eagle2a]

just study for the lsat, no one is gonna care if you take a couple months off

[potus]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Seems like the consensus is that full-time studying until September would not be a bad way to go. A higher LSAT trumps work / volunteer experience, so I'll be dedicating my time to that

Yep. Just stay focused. Don't let the opportunity slip. I work full-time and almost every day I wish I had an extended period of time dedicated to studying seriously. Coming home completely exhausted and then studying is the absolute worst.