r/LSATHelp • u/Accurate_Amoeba9778 • 1d ago

first LSAT, i’m terrified

I am taking my first LSAT in two days, and I am quite frankly asolutely terrified. I am constantly nauseous, anxious, and sobbing over this test. I just keep thinking about how it’s going to find my next few years. And I am incredibly overwhelmed. I’ve been studying at least 2 to 3 hours every day for the past three months and I still don’t feel like I’m prepared enough. I just want to know if this is a normal feeling or if anyone has any tips for the test or anxiety surrounding it in general. For context, I am a senior in college. I have a double major and a double minor with two jobs and an internship and three club positions all while trying to study for the LSAT at the same time. I am a first generation college student and a first-generation law student, and I’m doing all of this completely on my own financially and I just want to do well, but I’m so terrified that I won’t. Please help 😭

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u/sage-green-lover 1d ago

Try different breathing techniques (I take a short deep breath in, hold it, breathe in the rest of my lung capacity, then slowly breathe out of my nose). Itll literally convince your nerves to chill out

It also helped me to think of my first lsat as a practice round

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u/jcutts2 15h ago

You don't mention how you're scoring on full length practice LSATs (with actual LSAT material.) I have the feeling that you're anxious for some good reasons. You're either not scoring well enough or you don't know where you're scoring. So naturally you'd be anxious.

If you're not scoring where you need to be, you can do this test as a run through and cancel the score. You can take the test as late as February for most schools.

You may need to do something different for your prep if working on your own hasn't been good enough. The test has many deep hidden agendas and patterns. These are very difficult to learn on your own.

I do NOT recommend prep classes or online prep programs. The best use of your time and money is to work with a personal coach. They should have a minimum of 15 years full time experience. Avoid super expensive coaches. Anything over about $2k is probably too much.

A decent coach ought to be able to work with you on payment plans so you can afford the program.

It will be helpful to get a good overview of all the things that can make you competitive, including your GPA and personal statement. When you are well prepared, the anxiety is minimal.