Elle Woods makes it look easy. However, studying and taking the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) can be an extremely difficult time for any student or postgrad. The mentality surrounding the LSAT is different than when you took the SAT or ACT in high school. When you applied to college, you were commonly told that your standardized test scores only play a part in the application process and schools primarily offer acceptances by looking at many factors of an applicant. However, for applying to law school, the score on the LSAT makes up about 50% of the admissions process. No pressure right?!?

All people who decide to undertake the endeavor of studying for the LSAT can relate to these main stages. Happy studying!

Stage 1: Deciding

Obviously the first phase of studying for the LSAT is firmly deciding that you do indeed want to go to law school. There is no point in studying hours upon hours for a test if you don't intend to go. Once you do decide that law school is the right move for you, you can use that to motivate you throughout your studying.

This stage could alternatively be called the "Knowing What You Are Getting Yourself Into Phase" since at this point you will research the basics of what the LSAT is - how long the sections are, when it's offered, etc. You will also, most importantly, register for the LSAT and plan the rest of the stages around your test date.

Stage 2: Creating a Study Schedule

Are you going to study independently or are you going to go to a prep course? Thinking about studying will be a common theme throughout these stages.

Stage 3: Getting an LSAT book

Whatever your study regime ends up being you will definitely by a book. You will probably spend several hours figuring out which book will be the best for you - Kaplan, the LSAT Trainer, Princeton Review, LSAC - SO MANY OPTIONS! This will involve Amazon shopping and/or your local bookseller. Get your shopping cart ready.

Stage 4: First Sprint of Studying

After formulating your study schedule and acquiring your LSAT book, you will have this boost of energy to study and the first two weeks you'll probably be pretty good at sticking to that schedule. You'll feel pretty confident that you are going to do great.

Stage 5: Taking the Diagnostic LSAT Exam

It's time to put your studying skills to the test, so you take a diagnostic LSAT Exam to see just how much more studying you need to do. And the test likely does not turn out as well as you hoped. But it's not so bad that you give up. You realize you have some work to do.

Stage 6: Second Sprint of Studying

Your diagnostic test did not go as great as you hoped. You have newfound determination to make your score better than that every time.

Stage 7: Cooling Off

You've been studying but you also want to hang out with your friends. You start studying a little less regularly. And when you do study you study for longer periods of time. Your energy level is definitely not as high as it was in the beginning.

Stage 8: The Realization

Then, one day you look at the calendar and you realize that your test date is closer than you thought. Time to completely focus on studying for the test that plays a huge part in what could be your future law career.

Stage 9: Hibernation

Studying will become your weekly, daily, and hourly routine. During this stage, "I can't I have to study" will become your catchphrase. Sometimes the FOMO will be very real. Trust me though the potential for success on the LSAT is greater than any feelings of FOMO.

Stage 10: The Breakthrough

You've been studying for hours and you take a practice test. Finally, your score is at the place where you hoped it would be. You gain new confidence that you can master this test.

Stage 11: The Lull

You start thinking that one great test might have been a fluke. Your score has definitely improved from your initial diagnostic exam, but your score seems to be hovering around the same level. You want it to get better and better every time.

Stage 12: Existential Questioning

What if I don't do well on the LSAT? Why is this so confusing? Maybe I need to buy another book or start studying a different way?

Stage 13: Acting on Your Existential Questioning

This might consistent of looking longing out into a window and using up more time doing this then studying. This could also involve buying an expensive LSAT prep book. Whatever it is you know you need to change something to get your groove back.

Pro tip: if you do this buy another book, try to avoid writing in the book itself and instead write on scrap paper. This way you can either return the book if you realize that you don't really like your impulse buy or if you like the book it is easier to resell to other prospective LSATters.

Stage 14: The Light at the End of the Tunnel

You start feeling more confident when you answer questions. Your score is getting consistently better. You've seemed to overcome your lull. You are peaking at the right time for test day. You really feel like you've got this.

Stage 15: Acceptance

This stage differs from the previous stage in that you accept that there is nothing more that you could do. Your worth is more than a number from a test. You're confident, you're happy. You accept the cliches from when you were younger - you tried your best and that's all anyone (especially you) could ask for. Test day here you come!