Academically Driven

@academic-and-goal-driven / academic-and-goal-driven.tumblr.com

✨New Tumblr Profile: @A-Mom-and-A-Student
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NEW TUMBLR PROFILE

I now go by the name @a-mom-and-a-student. I would like to thank everyone, especially those who have been following me since high school until college. Now, I have started a new chapter in my life. I will be a new mom and still continuing my strides for graduate school. I hope to reach this volume of engagement and followers on my new tumblr!

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Acing the LSAT: Productive Studying &

Motivation

The toughest part about studying while having a full-time job is getting started. I have the desire to achieve a high LSAT score but I get distracted by friends, family, Netflix and Instagram.  

I think I have figured out the best tactic to get over the lack of focus. 

First Step: Goal Setting

  • I created a detailed monthly calendar and 30-min weekly schedule sheet.

The Monthly Calendar

  • Details page numbers, practice exams, and LSAT sections
  • goals should be both realistic and challenging so that you don't get easily bored and fully benefit 

The 30-Min Weekly Schedule

  • Details studying time slots and gym time

Second Step: Find Your Space and/or Your Study Buddy

Finding Your Space

  • Your space should have a desk or a wide table with a comfortable chair
  • How does your room, library, or apartment’s study areas make you feel?
  • Can you operate at full optimum in a quiet space or an area with medium volume?
  • My favorite space is my living room where I have a great view of the city and low volume.

Find Your Study Buddy

  • Your study buddy should have 3 qualities
  1. Proactive Studier
  2. Doesn’t talk a lot 
  3. Holds you accountable for missing study dates
  • So far since graduating my Uni, I have two study buddies: my boyfriend (studying CPA) and one of my friends (studying master’s at Georgetown).

Third Step: Study-Fun Balance

Studying is self-care because you are steps closer to achieving a bigger goal which contributes to more self-esteem. Having “productive” fun is also another 1/3 of self-care while studying is 2/3. 

  • This means you should spend 1/3 of your free time from work to engage in “productively” fun activities such as reading, going to the museum, and having dinner with your family or friends.
  • Productive fun is about learning and connecting with the outside world in order to see the bigger picture of why you are studying in the first place.
  • Currently, I read Becoming by Michelle Obama for productive fun

Fourth Step: Don’t Be Hard on Yourself

“Tomorrow’s promises become yesterday’s failures!”

  • It’s never too late to get started right now! Remember promises are the difference between today and tomorrow. 

Finally: Start the 100 Days of Productivity Challenge

  • Print out 14 sheets of 30-min Weekly Schedules (100 Days / 7 days = 14 weeks)
  • Goal: Complete all 14 sheets and shade in your study-time with red pen
  1. I aim to shade in all my study-time slots from Monday to Sunday for 14 weeks.
  2. I have to complete a total of 31 hours a week. If I miss an hour or more, I will make sure to add that hour or more to my weekend schedule.
  3. NEVER EVER miss the 31-hour goal. Make sure to complete 31-hours before the next week.
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Law School Plans: Part 1

Studying and taking the LSAT is the first step in my journey to a top law school. In this post, I plan to provide a detail trajectory of my LSAT process.

For LSAT in Early June 2019

Logic Games: October 8th to January 25th (17 weeks)

  • Resources:
  1. “PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible”
  2. “PowerScore LSAT Logic Game Workbook”
  • Goals:
  1. Complete 3 games out of 4 [18 correct out of 24 questions]
  2. I started the Bible in October and completed in late December.
  3. I worked mostly with logic games because it is proven that a proactive studier can increase his/her score easiest in the logic game section.

Logical Reasoning: January 28th to March 29th (9 weeks)

  • Resources:
  1. “PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible”
  2. “PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Workbook”
  • Goals: 
  1. Complete 20 questions out of 24-26
  2. Since this section makes up 50% of the exam, I will work extensively to improve my score in this area.

Reading Comprehension: March 25th to May 17th (8 weeks)

  • Resources:
  1. “PowerScore LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible”
  2. “PowerScore LSAT Reading Comprehension Workbook”
  • Goals:
  1. Complete 3 sections out of 4 [20 correct out of 26-28 questions]

Full Practice Exams Schedule

  • 2 Exams & Notes: Saturday, January 26th & Sunday, January 27th
  • 1 Exam: Saturday, February 9th
  • 2 Exams & Notes:  Saturday, March 30th & Sunday March 31st
  • 1 Exam: Saturday, April 6th
  • May BootCamp: Exams on...
  1. Saturday, May 18th
  2. Wednesday, May 22nd
  3. Saturday, May 25th

The LSAT consists of five sections:

  • 2 Sections of Logical Reasoning

short arguments, 24-26 total per section

  • 1 Section of Reading Comprehension

- About 3 long reading passages and 2 short comparative reading sections, 26-28 total questions

  • 1 Section of Analytical Reasoning

- 4 logic games, 22-24 total questions

  • 1 Experimental Section 

- one of the above 3 section types

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Return to Tumblr: 2019 Goals

It has been only 8 months since I graduated the University of Virginia (Woah, Class of 2018!). I am returning to tumblr to regain focus on studying LSAT while working at big financial company.

There is something about Tumblr that keeps me focus on my goals so, it is important to me to be an active blogger. 

Here are my 2019 Goals:

  • LSAT Exam: Saturday, June 3rd & Saturday, September 21st
  • June Exam (Goal: 165)
  • September Exam (Goal: 170)
  • Dedicate Monday to Friday (7 P.M. - 10 P.M. after work & gym)
  • Dedicate Saturday to Sunday (12 P.M. - 8 P.M.)
  • Europe Trip with My boyfriend [Friday, June 28th to Sunday, July 14th]
  • Paris, France
  • Barcelona/Madrid, Spain
  • Venice, Italy
  • Munich, Germany
  • Get involved in the community
  • Join 2 organizations by March
  • Pray more 
  • Pray for 5 minutes every morning before work
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LSAT Goodies

I am significantly new to LSAT but here are somethings I have picked up.

Study Tools

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  • Logic Games ($189)
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  • Reading Comprehension ($99)
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  • Kaplan (Get $225 off online prep NOW, ends July 31st)
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Here I go: The Beginnings of Applying to Law School

It’s 3:34 am on July 4th. I am contemplating how much my desire for law school does not match my energy. I have yet to start studying for LSATs intently and searching for scholarships. Tonight (or morning), I will begin the process of getting my ass to my dream law school. Here I go:

  • Monday- Friday: Study LSAT
  • Saturday: LSAT Practice Exam
  • Sunday: Apply for Law Schools & Scholarships

Three Sections in less than 3 months (July to September)

  • Logical Reasoning (July to July 22)
  • Analytical Reasoning (July 24 to August 12)
  • Reading Comprehension (August 12 to September 8th)

LSAT Test Dates

  • September 16th (Registration Deadline: Aug. 9th)
  • December 2nd (Registration Deadline: Oct. 25th)

Law School Application Dates

  • Early Decision Deadline: Early November
  • Regular Decision Deadline: Early February
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation (Request in Late August)
  • Dean’s Letter (Request in Late August)

GOAL: LSAT score of 175 < X

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I got an A on my Quantum Mechanics exam and my Science & Religion exam. I got a B+ on my Computational Physics exam, which was almost the same score as a couple of my friends who are usually in the top scores with me, so I take that as a good sign (especially because he’s willing to give a few points back if we make corrections to our lowest scoring problem). My German exam hasn’t been graded yet but it seemed alright.

A nice relief considering how stressed and concerned I was during midterms the other week. I expected worse. I really did. But good news isn’t going to make me slack.

GOALS!!! So far, I received 90s - 100 on my papers and quizzes. However, I have my first exam of the semester in my Arabic class this Friday. The damn exam is 2 HOURS. I am really hoping for an A+ because it’s 25% of my overall grade. Now, I am creating a game plan for this exam since I mostly read and wrote papers over Spring Break.

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Spring Break Plans

I have exactly a week to read several books, finish 4 essays, and prepare for my exam next week. From Monday, March 6th to Sunday, March 12th, I must be completely prepared for the following week. I will work to the bone for all A’s!

Monday, March 6th (Middle Eastern & South Asian Language course)

  • “Tunisia” by Nouri Gana
  • “Tunisia's Unsteady Progress” by Francis Ghiles
  • “Why Fear explains the failures of Egypt's Revolution” by Lust
  • New Arab Wars Chapter 5

Tuesday, March 7th 

  • Middle Eastern & South Asian Language essay
  • Middle Eastern & South Asian Language exam outline

Wednesday, March 8th (Comparative Politics course)

  • State in Society Chapter 4
  • State in Society Chapter 5
  • Draft Politics essay 

Thursday, March 9th

  • Draft Politics essay 

Friday, March 10th

  • Finish Politics essay
  • Send to Professor for proofreading 

Saturday, March 11th

  • Finish Middle Eastern and South Asian reading
  • "Once Upon a Revolution" by Cabman's
  • "Revolution Edited" by Eskandar 
  • "How social media undermined Egypt's democratic transition" by Aday
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Best Time for Different Foods

Breakfast Time

Apples 

  • contains pectin which lowers blood sugar & cholesterol levels
  • worst time: dinner (pectin is hard to digest at night; increase stomach acid)

Potato 

  • potato starch lowers cholesterol; rich in minerals
  • worst time: dinner (higher in calories which may lead to weight gain if eaten at dinner)

Tomato 

  • improves digestion and increases metabolism
  • worst time: dinner (causes stomach swelling)

Dark Chocolate

  • provides anti-oxidants which reduces aging and risk of heart disease
  • worst time: snacks (increases body fat)

Figs and Apricots

  • boosts metabolism and warms up the digestive system
  • worst time: dinner (leads to indigestion and gas troubles)

Cheese

  • when consumed in moderation, helps in preventing weight gain and bloating
  • worst time: dinner (heavy to digest it can lead to indigestion and fat gain)

Lunch Time

Banana

  • strengthens immune system, improve skin
  • worst time: dinner (may lead to mucus formation & disturb digestion)

Nuts

  • lowers the risk of blood pressure
  • worst time: dinner (leads to weight gain)

Rice

  • metabolism is higher during the day, giving you ample chance to use up the carbohydrates
  • worst time: dinner (leads to weight gain)

Snack Time

Orange 

  • improves digestion and increases metabolism
  • worst time: breakfast (causes stomach irritation and gastritis)

Dinner Time

Milk

  • warm milk soothes the body and helps in getting a good night’s sleep
  • worst time: breakfast (unless followed by lots of physical activity, milk can be heavy to digest)
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