What to do when you can't focus on a given day? Forum

[New_Spice180]

Hey guys the title pretty much says it. I've been trying to study all day but the motivation isn't there. I usually am able to go through what I want with little resistance, but it's been so hard! What are some tips and what do some of you do when you can't focus on a given day?

[galeatus]

Going for a run works like a charm for me.

[Mikey]

If you're not feeling up to it, then just don't try. Do something else and go back to it the next day

[SunDevil14]

I run into this problem occasionally. I find that really breaking up of the studying helps. Know that you are going to study for 3 to 4 hours straight can be a bit unnerving.

Example:
1 hour right after I wake up
1 hour around lunch time
1 hour in the evening before dinner
1 hour right before bed

Similarly, if you have a large block of time to study then you could do 35 min study/30 min break intervals (Study->Break->Study->Break). During the Breaks get some food, watch a TV program, mess around on social media.

Additionally, come on here and talk about strategies, approaches, etc. It's not a perfect substitute, but at least it is decent.

[tskela]

I like to find a far-ish coffee place (like ~30 minutes away) so I can drive and listen to music and feel like a badass while picturing myself crushing the test

Then when I get there I'm usually all hyped to down some caffeine and get to studying

I'll also bring a BUNCH of study materials (more than i ever actually get to), headphones, pencils, a sweater, etc to get myself in the mindset that it's gonna be my little study island for the next 4 hours or so

[Blueprint Mithun]

Hey guys the title pretty much says it. I've been trying to study all day but the motivation isn't there. I usually am able to go through what I want with little resistance, but it's been so hard! What are some tips and what do some of you do when you can't focus on a given day?

I like SunDevil's idea of breaking up prep time into chunks. It might not work for everyone, but it's one way to keep it fresh.

I'd generally suggest taking days like that off. You've been at this for a while, and have been pushing yourself hard. Kudos! But it's equally important to know when to back off and give yourself time to rest and recover. Oversaturation could be draining your motivation - when this happens, it always creeps up on you. Don't feel like you'll put yourself behind. Our brains work in mysterious ways - sometimes you need to spend some time away from something to really process all that you've learned.

I wouldn't suggest coming here or doing other LSAT related things in lieu of actual prepping. Give your body and mind the rest they deserve, and occupy yourself with something completely unrelated. Or read - that'll keep your brain sharp.

[tk421991]

Hey guys the title pretty much says it. I've been trying to study all day but the motivation isn't there. I usually am able to go through what I want with little resistance, but it's been so hard! What are some tips and what do some of you do when you can't focus on a given day?

I actually had this problem today. My dad texted me at like 9:15am while I was working on LSAT drills that my uncle is now in jail.

For something like that, where I'm just staring into the book or notebook and I can't focus, I deal with the distraction until it's taken care of and then get back to work. If you're hungry, eat, if you're tired, sleep. I moved on.

If it's for a whole day though, I'd just try to get out some energy (or get some energy) and then try to focus again when your mind is more relaxed. Go for a walk, play a video game until you're bored, eat, etc.

[New_Spice180]

Hey guys the title pretty much says it. I've been trying to study all day but the motivation isn't there. I usually am able to go through what I want with little resistance, but it's been so hard! What are some tips and what do some of you do when you can't focus on a given day?

I actually had this problem today. My dad texted me at like 9:15am while I was working on LSAT drills that my uncle is now in jail.

For something like that, where I'm just staring into the book or notebook and I can't focus, I deal with the distraction until it's taken care of and then get back to work. If you're hungry, eat, if you're tired, sleep. I moved on.

If it's for a whole day though, I'd just try to get out some energy (or get some energy) and then try to focus again when your mind is more relaxed. Go for a walk, play a video game until you're bored, eat, etc.

Thanks for the tip and I wish for the best man!

[New_Spice180]

Hey guys the title pretty much says it. I've been trying to study all day but the motivation isn't there. I usually am able to go through what I want with little resistance, but it's been so hard! What are some tips and what do some of you do when you can't focus on a given day?

I like SunDevil's idea of breaking up prep time into chunks. It might not work for everyone, but it's one way to keep it fresh.

I'd generally suggest taking days like that off. You've been at this for a while, and have been pushing yourself hard. Kudos! But it's equally important to know when to back off and give yourself time to rest and recover. Oversaturation could be draining your motivation - when this happens, it always creeps up on you. Don't feel like you'll put yourself behind. Our brains work in mysterious ways - sometimes you need to spend some time away from something to really process all that you've learned.

I wouldn't suggest coming here or doing other LSAT related things in lieu of actual prepping. Give your body and mind the rest they deserve, and occupy yourself with something completely unrelated. Or read - that'll keep your brain sharp.

I totally agree with this. I just feel guilty when I don'5 study. My mind is like, "remember that game you didn't do so well on? Yeah well what if there's one like that on the test, better get to drillin!"

I blame OCD in part, but I'll take heed to your word and give it a break for a bit. Thanks everyone!

[maybeman]

I listen to music and feel like a badass while picturing myself crushing the test

I do this an embarrassingly large amount of time.


But it actually helps me with extended studying. Also, workout.

[CMac86]

I run into this problem occasionally. I find that really breaking up of the studying helps. Know that you are going to study for 3 to 4 hours straight can be a bit unnerving.

Example:
1 hour right after I wake up
1 hour around lunch time
1 hour in the evening before dinner
1 hour right before bed

Similarly, if you have a large block of time to study then you could do 35 min study/30 min break intervals (Study->Break->Study->Break). During the Breaks get some food, watch a TV program, mess around on social media.

Additionally, come on here and talk about strategies, approaches, etc. It's not a perfect substitute, but at least it is decent.

This is pretty much what I do. During my work day, I tend to get an hour in during my lunch break (2hr lunch), and then an hour or two on a good day in the evening. On weekends, 35-50mins at a time with 20-30min breaks in between sessions.

I apply the same concept to coursework, and practicing (I'm a musician by trade). If my attention starts to wander a bit, that is a cue that I need to do something else for a bit. The only times that I force myself to knock out a large chunk at once are when I'm doing a practice test.

[RamTitan]

Some people may not like this approach, but I motivate myself by thinking about how much more money each extra point entitles me to; to each their own

[SunDevil14]

Some people may not like this approach, but I motivate myself by thinking about how much more money each extra point entitles me to; to each their own

^Tends to help a lot more the further you are into your study and the higher you're scoring. ^This cross my mind more often now that I hit the 170's on occasion. Perhaps not so much a motivator when you are not scoring as high. 169 vs 171 can make all the difference. 151 vs 153 is no where near equitable in accomplishment or scholarship opportunity.

[RamTitan]

Some people may not like this approach, but I motivate myself by thinking about how much more money each extra point entitles me to; to each their own

^Tends to help a lot more the further you are into your study and the higher you're scoring. ^This cross my mind more often now that I hit the 170's on occasion. Perhaps not so much a motivator when you are not scoring as high. 169 vs 171 can make all the difference. 151 vs 153 is no where near equitable in accomplishment or scholarship opportunity.

At that point what motivated was getting into a good law school, period lol

[SunDevil14]

Some people may not like this approach, but I motivate myself by thinking about how much more money each extra point entitles me to; to each their own

^Tends to help a lot more the further you are into your study and the higher you're scoring. ^This cross my mind more often now that I hit the 170's on occasion. Perhaps not so much a motivator when you are not scoring as high. 169 vs 171 can make all the difference. 151 vs 153 is no where near equitable in accomplishment or scholarship opportunity.

At that point what motivated was getting into a good law school, period lol

Haha, I just accepted that as a given. "If ain't first your last," is usually the mantra I use when climbing up the 90%tiles.

[RamTitan]

Some people may not like this approach, but I motivate myself by thinking about how much more money each extra point entitles me to; to each their own

^Tends to help a lot more the further you are into your study and the higher you're scoring. ^This cross my mind more often now that I hit the 170's on occasion. Perhaps not so much a motivator when you are not scoring as high. 169 vs 171 can make all the difference. 151 vs 153 is no where near equitable in accomplishment or scholarship opportunity.

At that point what motivated was getting into a good law school, period lol

Haha, I just accepted that as a given. "If ain't first your last," is usually the mantra I use when climbing up the 90%tiles.

Initially what motivated me was what seemed to be a lack of options; I was a new graduate who couldn't find a job. Before I even really knew I wanted to go to law school, I took a diagnostic and scored a 146, and just thought I was hosed for life lol. "Man, I can't get a job, and I can't even get into law school!"

[SunDevil14]

Some people may not like this approach, but I motivate myself by thinking about how much more money each extra point entitles me to; to each their own

^Tends to help a lot more the further you are into your study and the higher you're scoring. ^This cross my mind more often now that I hit the 170's on occasion. Perhaps not so much a motivator when you are not scoring as high. 169 vs 171 can make all the difference. 151 vs 153 is no where near equitable in accomplishment or scholarship opportunity.

At that point what motivated was getting into a good law school, period lol

Haha, I just accepted that as a given. "If ain't first your last," is usually the mantra I use when climbing up the 90%tiles.

Initially what motivated me was what seemed to be a lack of options; I was a new graduate who couldn't find a job. Before I even really knew I wanted to go to law school, I took a diagnostic and scored a 146, and just thought I was hosed for life lol. "Man, I can't get a job, and I can't even get into law school!"

Everyone needs a wake up call at some point. Additionally, another good strategy I use for studying is having a friend or family member drop you off a the library. Tell them to come back in X amount of hours. At that point there are less distractions, and you are not as inclined to stop studying early.

[RamTitan]

Some people may not like this approach, but I motivate myself by thinking about how much more money each extra point entitles me to; to each their own

^Tends to help a lot more the further you are into your study and the higher you're scoring. ^This cross my mind more often now that I hit the 170's on occasion. Perhaps not so much a motivator when you are not scoring as high. 169 vs 171 can make all the difference. 151 vs 153 is no where near equitable in accomplishment or scholarship opportunity.

At that point what motivated was getting into a good law school, period lol

Haha, I just accepted that as a given. "If ain't first your last," is usually the mantra I use when climbing up the 90%tiles.

Initially what motivated me was what seemed to be a lack of options; I was a new graduate who couldn't find a job. Before I even really knew I wanted to go to law school, I took a diagnostic and scored a 146, and just thought I was hosed for life lol. "Man, I can't get a job, and I can't even get into law school!"

Everyone needs a wake up call at some point. Additionally, another good strategy I use for studying is having a friend or family member drop you off a the library. Tell them to come back in X amount of hours. At that point there are less distractions, and you are not as inclined to stop studying early.

Lmao, that's a good one.