Motivate Yourself to Study for the LSAT
Learning science has come a long way in recent years, and we’ve been learning with it. We incorporate the latest discoveries in learning science into our LSAT course to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your prep. Want to see? Try the first session of any of our upcoming courses for free.
One of my favorite TV shows is Jane the Virgin. On a recent episode, Jane’s husband, Michael, decides to take up everyone’s favorite past-time: studying for the LSAT. To Jane’s chagrin, studying for the LSAT is almost indistinguishable from watching the NFL playoffs. When Jane inquires, Michael tells her that football gets him in a relaxed frame of mind to study, and resumes eating popcorn.
If you’re in Michael’s shoes right now (or Jane’s!) you’re not alone. Many LSAT students have confided in me sheepishly that they’re struggling to find the motivation to get down to business with their test prep. That’s understandable. The LSAT is intimidating and can be more than a little boring. But it takes a significant time and energy investment for most people to see the score improvement they want. So if you need help lighting a fire under yourself (or your significant other!), here are a few suggestions:
Fun First
Start your studying with the most “fun” (relatively speaking) portion of it that you can. For instance, if you don’t mind Logic Games so much, start by doing a few. If you hate reading strategy guides, you could instead start by doing one of the “arcade” games on the LSAT website, or doing an LSAT Interact lesson. In other words, try to adjust your study plan so that you begin with something that engages you. Similarly, starting with review or an easier topic can help build your confidence.
Study in Chunks
Plan ahead to give yourself breaks. If right now, you have a tough time making it past twenty minutes (don’t worry, I know the feeling!), plan to take a break and clear your head after twenty minutes of studying. Eat a snack, walk your dog, play on your cell phone—whatever you enjoy—and then return to studying. You can gradually extend how long each study chunk is when it starts to feel more manageable.
Reward Yourself
Give yourself an incentive that’s just based on study time and effort, not how well you do. For example, if you study for an hour five times a week, give yourself some sort of reward that you really want, like a cupcake from the bakery (or a night off from studying).
Lighten the Mood
Make your studying more enjoyable by having some snacks, listening to music, or sitting in a comfy place. Some people find it beneficial to go somewhere outside their home to study, like a coffee shop.
Consider Your Surroundings
Think about any aspect of your study environment that might be affecting your focus, like noise (having the TV on), lighting, being hungry, or time of day. Do you work best when you’ve gone to the gym? Do you need to eat something substantial before you start studying? Eliminate any obstacles that might distract you from your studying.
Partner Up
Find a study buddy. Many of my LSAT classes have formed study groups on weekends. You don’t need to have a formal plan, be in the same score range, or even study the same topics. Just commit to sitting down together and having a study session. That accountability will help you actually find time to study, because it’s easier to bail on yourself than to bail on a friend. Plus, it will likely make studying more fun! ?
Don’t forget that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person LSAT courses absolutely free. We’re not kidding! Check out our upcoming courses here.
Allison Bell is a Manhattan Prep Instructor who lives in the Washington, DC metro area. Allison first encountered the LSAT while getting her Bachelor of Arts in English and history at Duke University. In college, she scored a 178 and very nearly applied to law school. In the end, she followed her true passion, teaching. Allison currently has the pleasure of being an eighth grade English teacher in Northern Virginia. As an LSAT teacher, she has the opportunity to blend her love for teaching with her passion for logical argument. Check out Allison’s upcoming LSAT Complete Courses here.