I don’t think Reading Comprehension passages are interesting and I don’t enjoy diagramming complicated Logical Reasoning questions.
If you are hitting a wall in your studying right now, or you’re gearing up to retake the LSAT soon and finding it hard to get motivated, I understand those feelings. This post is dedicated to helping you find the mental fortitude to fight through prep fatigue and reach peak performance.
Refueling After LSAT Burnout
1. Take a Break
Studying for the LSAT is an exhausting process. In the beginning, it is easy to focus—you’re encountering different LSAT question types for the first time with relatively little stress.
As time passes, it gets much more difficult to maintain that focus, especially if you’re not grasping the new concepts quickly or you’re not hitting your target scores.
I think the best way to restore confidence and determination is to take a break. Whether it is a few hours or a few days, it is important to let your mental batteries recharge.
I highly recommend doing something that you enjoy—watching a movie, going for a run, or meditating—that will let you clear your mind and apply yourself with renewed vigor. This advice may seem trite, but it is important to allow yourself to think about something other than the LSAT, especially when your test date is approaching.
2. Maintain Perspective
By the time you start studying for the LSAT, you should know why you want to go to law school. You should have a clear idea of what you hope to accomplish with a legal education (apart from making money).
Not only is this important because of the grave financial implications involved with going to law school, but also because it will provide a strong motivating factor as you study.
It is very easy to get lost in the minutiae of the study process, and this can prove extremely dispiriting. Make sure that you maintain perspective and remember your reasons for putting yourself through the LSAT.
Don’t miss the forest (your larger goals) for the trees (the problems you encounter as you study).
3. Set Goals
My law school classes have reaffirmed the importance of setting meaningful goals as I study. If I approached my daily workload with only one goal—to complete all of it—I would probably get overwhelmed and discouraged. By breaking down my assignments into parts and try to finish each one at a time, it is a lot easier to stay positive and get through everything.
I recommend adopting this mindset as you prepare for the LSAT. Set realistic goals as you drill practice sections and take practice exams. Not only will this help you track your progress, but it will also help you stay positive as you hit your targets and avoid the discouragement of focusing too much on the distance to the finish line.
The LSAT is a necessary evil. Don’t let it become the focus of every waking moment—maintain perspective and set reasonable goals. No matter where you are in your prep, just remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and there is no reason that you can’t achieve success.
Further Reading
⚖️ How to Find an LSAT-Life Balance
👩⚖️ What Type of Lawyer Should You Be? Take This Quiz and Find Out!
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