Drinking green beer is always regrettable. Green vomit is even worse. If you partook in yesterday’s emerald festivities, there’s a good chance you’re not feeling your best today. Let’s take this chance to discuss studying for the LSAT when you’re “under the weather.”

It may be hard to believe right now, but this morning’s misery will pass. Save the LSAT studying for when you don’t have a pounding headache and a stomach that feels like it’s in full-blown rebellion against every other organ in your body.

The same goes for other brief illnesses. You’ll learn better when you can really focus on what you’re doing. So it’s just fine to give yourself a little break and take time to get yourself better. Once the worst is over, get back to studying hard.

If you’re out for a week with the flu, keep up the studying but go easy on yourself. You’ll benefit from doing some LSAT studying every day; the repetition will pay dividends. But it’s fine if you’re doing a bit less than usual; once you’re feeling better you can really put in the hours.

If you’re dealing with a more long-term ailment, you’ll have to negotiate studying while you’re not feeling your best. Build up your endurance gradually but consistently. You’re going to have to push yourself some, but don’t expect to be able to go for four hours right away. Study beyond the point when it gets hard to keep going, but stop before you hit a wall and nothing makes sense anymore.

You may also need to consider when it’s really best for you to take the LSAT. If you’re dealing with a long-term, but ultimately temporary, illness, think about whether now is the time to take the test. It comes down to whether your performance on the LSAT will be significantly impaired. If you can fight through the way you’re feeling and rock the LSAT, keep it up. But if you know you’d be able to do better later, and it’s just not going to happen for you now, there’s nothing wrong with waiting. It’s frustrating to put your plans on hold, but there can be a big difference in the outcomes.