Can you hear that? The October LSAT draws nigh. That’s right, you’ve got a scant three months before the big day. While you shouldn’t start stressing about hardcore LSAT studying just yet, you might want to consider the importance of having a schedule once it’s time to put that cute little nose to the proverbial grindstone.

The impact of serious LSAT study on one’s time cannot be overestimated. Chances are, you’re already a busy and industrious person. Going out with friends, rolling into Starbucks at 10:30 a.m. the next morning, and then figuring out where to eat brunch can all take a toll on one’s “free” time. Now you’ve got to figure out a way to squeeze all that in along with preparing for the biggest test of your life. No biggie.

Lucky for you, you’re reading this handy LSAT blog post well ahead of time. So, how does one reduce the impact of LSAT study on one’s schedule? Give yourself the proper amount of time to prepare. I refer not only to setting aside the proper amount of time to study every day, but also to your LSAT study timeline as a whole. The sooner you start (within reason), the better off you’ll be.

To use a metaphor with which I’m sure you’re all familiar, you want to treat yourself like a bodybuilder getting ready for a competition. You need to start early, set a schedule, and stick to it. The earlier that bodybuilder starts his competition diet, the easier it is to eat properly at the end of the diet, since he doesn’t have to drastically cut calories at any point. It’s easier to stick to his workout schedule since he doesn’t have to drastically increase the amount of cardio he’s doing. If he times things properly, he’ll be ready for the competition two weeks ahead of time and he can coast from there, just maintaining.

But, just like a bodybuilder, if you slip up and deviate from your LSAT prep schedule, everything can come off the rails. If a bodybuilder cheats on a meal and downs a cheeseburger instead of grilled chicken and veggies, he loses a week of hard work. If you skip a lesson in your LSAT prep, or don’t do all your LSAT homework, not only are you behind for the next lesson, but you’ve got to take time you don’t have to go back and cover the lesson you missed. So start early (some time this month), give yourself a daily schedule and a long-term plan, and stick to both of them. You’ll thank me in a few months.