In Episode 90, Jon and Dave tackle the all-important topic of mentality from a new angle, outlining the seven most destructive behaviors students adopt during prep. Tune in as they examine common pitfalls like Comparison traps and Self-Denial routines, each of which is followed by targeted advice to help correct your missteps and get you back on track!
0:00 – Intro. With an episode focused around attitude and approach adjustments, Marc Rebillet’s “Gotta Make a Change” sets the vibe.
4:49 – This week in the LSAT World. The August test starts this weekend! Reminders about the new format, Proctor U, the new test break policy, and the new practice sets we have available to get you ready specifically for what’s likely to appear on the upcoming test.
13:35 – Episode goals. What Jon and Dave hope to achieve by spotlighting these negative behaviors that frequently permeate the LSAT prep process.
7 Life and LSAT Behaviors to Avoid
17:25 – Hesitation/Procrastination. There is no perfect game plan that you can create immediately from the very beginning. Sometimes you just need to rip the band-aid off and get started, even if it’s messy. The proper path and routines will illuminate themselves along the way. Just getting started is a huge step for many.
25:57 – Comparison. You and your journey are unique! Don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself to everyone else that’s studying, especially on online discussion boards, etc. There is value in learning from others’ breakthroughs and mishaps, but your objective is to make choices based on what’s best for you and no one else.
35:03 – Resignation. Don’t let the challenges and occasional tedium of lengthy prep govern your behavior or your attitude. Instead of saying “I have to,” change that to “I get to.” Always remember that the skills you inevitably develop for the LSAT will serve you extremely well in law school, your career, and life in general.
45:52 – Demoralization. Everyone, without exception, encounters setbacks. It’s easy to linger or even live in those moments of difficulty and disappointment, but how you treat the low points tends to predict the frequency with which you’ll experience them. Mistakes are opportunities: it’s impossible to improve if you don’t first realize what could be improved
51:23 – Defeat. The desire to quit will arise for nearly everyone, often as a recurring temptation. The question is how you respond to that impulse. Remind yourself of past difficulties when you were tempted to quit but didn’t. Recall moments in your life when the hard work was worth it, and believe this to be another example.
1:03:16 – Self-Denial. You’re a human being, not an LSAT robot. Prioritize prep, but not to the detrimental exclusion of all other activities/extracurriculars. Listen to your body and scrutinize your ongoing results. If you’re burning out and need a break don’t ignore that feeling. Prep will be demanding and require sacrifice, but if the scales tip too far, the LSAT grind can work against your aims. Additional reading.
1:10:10 – Self-Doubt. LSAT prep will have highs and lows along the way. Prioritize progress! If you end a day having learned something or improved in any way that day is an LSAT win and you should find joy in it. Ultimately you should believe that your accomplishments better represent you and your potential than your failures do.
1:16:35 – Outro.
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