Balancing university with LSAT Preparation

[agupta]

Hi

I begin the semester this month as a Junior in Georgetown University. I enrolled in Powerscore online course in June, and although I really learned a lot through it, I do not feel adequately prepared as of today. I had a long internship and GRE exam (dual degree JD MA) this summer because of which I haven't really given my best toward LSAT. I am certainly aiming primarily at T7 schools and so the 160 I am getting as of now will not cut it, especially with a lot of school work to come in this month.

I have changed my registration from October to February (cannot give in December due to personal family reasons). I apply to Law Schools only in the Fall of next year so the Feb exam is perfectly fine to give on that front. The real question is how do I maintain the LSAT momentum that perhaps I had started to build, and at the same time balance LSAT studies with 5 other subjects! Shall I maybe do just one paper a week on weekends and study a few hours daily? I am confused as to how to go about this. With 5 months to go to the Feb date:

Pro - If done regularly almost like an additional subject, LSAT can become second nature to me and far less daunting. I will have winter break for full-time study. I will be able to do more practice tests and have adequate time to revise troubling concepts in between. By improving on my fluidity in solving, and accuracy for various question types, I hope to reach 172+ on exam day.

Con - I might just lose the urgency of the exam. LSAT might take the backseat during pressure points in university. I might burnout by the time I get to winter break. February sucks on the east coast! It is said that the entire Feb exam is almost like one huge experimental section since the testers are used as guinea pigs with unusual questions etc. Lastly, the test is not disclosed (however I do want to give it only once).

In short, having already studied for LSAT only really in bits and pieces 2-3 months this summer, I need some direction toward the next 5 months!

Thanks a lot

[jeff.wren]

Hi agupta,

I think that your decision to hold off until the Feb. LSAT is a good one. Since you are not applying until next fall, there is no reason to rush things. For most students, the biggest obstacle to improving their score is finding quality time to study.

I'd recommend studying when you can during the semester so that you don't forget everything that you learned this summer. Don't try to do too much at once and burn yourself out. It's also important that you are well rested when you study. Trying to study when you are very tired is not really effective. During your winter break, I'd recommend really focusing on your LSAT studies in a full-time sense.

Here's a link to our 6 month study guide. You can use this as guide for your study schedule and modify as necessary based on your strengths and weaknesses.

http://students.powerscore.com/self-stu ... y-Plan.pdf

I hope this helps.

Best,
Jeff