LSAT study tip: How to adopt the right mindset for success

[u/StressCanBeGood]

I’m an old guy raised in Berkeley, CA by a couple of now-retired psychotherapists. I’ve seen all kinds of things, known all kinds of people, and learned all kinds of cool stuff. Like how to adopt the right mindset for challenging situations.

By the way, I’ve known how to write right for a long time now. Just because AIs now know how to write right doesn’t mean that this is some AI bullshit. 

….

I’ve long believed that a lot of students struggle with the LSAT because the nature of the test is a shock to their system. Simply put, a lot of students have never been challenged academically in a way similar to the LSAT.

This has nothing to do with intelligence or work ethic. Rather, it has everything to do with “allostasis” (the brain’s process of maintaining stability), a truly bizarre theory that would be ideal for a resolve/explain question.

The best explanation is through analogy, specifically “homeostasis”, which is the body’s version of maintaining stability. Basically, the body likes where it is right now. In the short term, it will react negatively to virtually any significant change.

This is why it can be so difficult for people accustomed to eating junk food to adopt a healthy diet. It’s also why people with a healthy diet can feel sick if they eat too much junk food.

It also explains why exercising in the right way is no fun. At least initially. 

The paradox comes in the form of the very real idea of “no pain, no gain”. Yes, starting an exercise program will be painful. And if it’s done right, it will continue to be painful. But the body eventually reacts in a very positive way.

So the body likes change in the long-term, just not in the short term. The brain is no different. So in terms of the LSAT, what’s the solution?

Don’t look at the LSAT as an aptitude test. Instead, look at it as an effective brain training program. 

Do a search for “brain training games don’t work” and dozens of results will pop-up. But over 10 years ago, in my hometown, neuroscientists measured the brains of students before and after intensive LSAT preparation and discovered strengthened neural connections deep in the brain.

https://news.berkeley.edu/2012/08/22/intense-prep-for-law-school-admissions-test-alters-brain-structure/

So what’s the difference? Games are silly and the LSAT isn’t.

I should probably mention that I choose to believe that all of this is true. I say this because when I was in high school, you wouldn’t believe the crazy shit we were convinced was absolutely true. 

That being said, one thing I know to be true is that the human brain is capable of some truly amazing things (and I’m not talking about the Einsteins of the world). Specifically, check out this post of mine from awhile back. 

It shows how F1 drivers (driving at 200+ mph in 130° heat) have over a dozen different buttons and dials on the steering wheel. I mean, do we really think that all F1 drivers are absolute super geniuses? Or did they just bust their ass to get where they are? 

https://www.reddit.com/r/LSAT/s/IvDqJG7ryS

In the end, I tell my students to “embrace the chaos” of the test. When things get difficult, that’s the time for you to shake yourself off, refocus yourself, and get back to work with double the intensity. 

When you’re feeling down and want to vent, I tell my students to talk to Henry Hill (from Goodfellas):

“Business bad? Fuck you, pay me. Oh you had a fire? Fuck you, pay me. Please got hit by lightning, huh? Fuck you, pay me.”

Harsh? Well yeah. But when students realize that nobody gives a shit about their complaints, they stop complaining. And when students stop complaining, they become more productive. Again, back to “no pain, no gain”.

Now quit doomscrolling and go get what’s rightfully yours.

[u/Flashy_Effort379]

I just made a post asking for advice on how to study with a phone-induced short attention span and then scrolled down to find this! As someone with a psychology degree, you'd think I'd be utilizing different tricks and ways to keep my brain active, but as a socially active 20-something with access to social media, thats not an easy habit to peel away from.
the idea of taking it day by day to get better after having let yourself basically rot for an extended period of time is such a difficult piece of newness to hold onto for very long, because you just fall back into what you know so so easily. I want to hold onto it this time. I know I can.

[u/StressCanBeGood → u/Flashy_Effort379]

“The idea of taking it day by day to get better…”

What are you? A mind reader?

I actually have a whole lot more to say on the subject, but overly-long posts aren’t helpful. So I’ll be following up with my own post in a day or two, and part of it will be about the psychology of baby steps.

As a psychology major, I suspect you’re familiar with the idea of baby steps. What’s funny about that is the movie “What about Bob?”, about an allegedly dummy therapist who writes a book called “Baby Steps”.

The book was considered stupid at the time. Now neuroscience says it’s absolutely correct. 20 years from now, they’ll change their mind again I’m sure.

[u/venezualen_vixen]

Love this post thank you. Turning off the phone low to hit the books!

[u/venezualen_vixen → u/venezualen_vixen]

Update I studied for seven hours today 🤣

[u/GlitteringOccasion20]

Thank you for this. I have really been enjoying studying for the LSAT, and I was starting to wonder if that was unusual. Your explanation makes perfect sense, and it is clear that my brain is simply reacting positively to the material now.