How To Physically Prepare For the LSAT

How To Physically Prepare For the LSAT

The LSAT is not only a mental exam it’s a physical test too. Many test-takers are often surprised by just how physically and emotionally tired they feel after completing an exam.  For that reason, it’s imperative that you physically prepare for the LSAT. In this post, we offer five tips to help you accomplish this!

Be sure to check out our related tips on how to mentally prepare for the LSAT.

How To Physically Prepare For the LSAT

1. Work out or do something physically active.

In order to physically prepare for the LSAT, it’s great to start by doing something, well, physical!

Physical activity actually helps your brain stay sharp. (It’s science.) Harvard Health Publishing, the media division of Harvard Medical School, published an article toting the benefits of physical activity for improved memory and thinking skills. It highlighted a study that “found that regular aerobic exercise, the kind that gets your heart and your sweat glands pumping, appears to boost the size of the hippocampus, the brain area involved in verbal memory and learning.”

So even if you feel the need to put your books down and get far, far away from endless Reading Comprehension questions, know that this is an important part of the study process! You’re actually helping yourself physically prepare for the LSAT by not spending all of your time studying.

2. Establish a routine.

Establishing a routine is not only beneficial for your mental health but your physical health too! Getting into a routine includes creating an LSAT study schedule so that you can be mentally and physically prepared for the LSAT. Creating a schedule allows you to know exactly what you plan to work on each day. Here are our tips on How to Create the Perfect Study LSAT Schedule.

Getting into a routine also means ensuring your body is ready to study. Get up at the same time each morning. Make yourself breakfast, a cup of coffee, take care of necessary chores and then start studying. Doing all of these things will also help eliminate easy and tempting distractions.

Furthermore, you must physically prepare for the LSAT by learning to sit still for hours upon hours and staying focused that entire time. You need to build your physical stamina while you study so that on test day, you’re not overcome with physical fatigue or restlessness from sitting still for so long.

3. Get enough sleep.

Related to tip #2 is getting enough sleep. Setting a routine should also include establishing a sleep routine. Your study time is much more effective if you’ve had a good night’s rest. Anxiety can often interrupt good sleep, so it’s important to physically train your body to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up (and study) at the same time each morning, no matter what. This also may take practice.

Further, getting enough sleep helps you to physically prepare for the LSAT by boosting your immune system and ensuring that the stress of the exam doesn’t lead to illness.

Check out some of our tips for a restful night of sleep.

4. Eat healthily.

During stressful and long days of studying, it’s easy to turn to comfort food or easily accessible vending machines. Avoid this temptation! Eating healthy will help you study better. It will make you more mentally alert and help fuel you for hours at the library.

Prepare healthy snacks for yourself before you start studying. Even if you’re at home you should wash an apple, cut up carrots, and have a snack ready for yourself during a break. Take the work out of eating healthy by preparing your food ahead of time so the majority of your focus can remain on studying for the exam.

5. Take breaks.

Studying is a marathon and not a sprint. Even though you’re not doing much physical activity, sometimes the best thing to do for your success on the LSAT is to take a break! Building in breaks will help you physically prepare for the LSAT by allowing you to stay mentally alert.

Make it a point to take a physical break from your books and computer. Move to a different location. Have a conversation with someone. Take 5 minutes to walk around your house or building. Bonus points if you get outside and get some sunshine and fresh air! This will reinvigorate you for the remainder of your studying session and help you physically prepare for the LSAT.

Rachel Margiewicz, Director of Pre-Law Services, wrote this post. Rachel is a licensed attorney with years of admissions experience across three law school programs in different markets of the country. She knows what schools are looking for and how to make your application stand out.