The Three Day Weekend
So I'm leaving school, walking out with a colleague, and he says, "Enjoy your three day weekend."
"It's not a three day weekend. I have an appointment." My school doesn't know that I am leaving yet.
"An appointment that lasts all day?"
Awkward pause. "Yes."
Guffaw. "Three day weekend."
I took Friday off to have one last chance to study. I spent all morning studying, met Mom for lunch, got my oil changed and took off for Waco. I still, despite leaving early, got caught in rush hour traffic. I arrived in Waco, got my hotel, and started studying some more. Along the way I was getting text-messaged well wishes. "Message received."
I found the law center where I was taking my test and went in to see the room as well. I was prepared.
I panicked the night of. Poor Mom was given the duty of calling me to tell me that the testing center was the same (they recommend that we check the night before because they are known to change at the last minute). I was in a full-blown freak out and she got to talk me down.
I woke up the next morning feeling positive, determined and excited. None of the negative emotions from the night before. I got more well-wishes going in, which increased my determination.
I had consumed my caffeine in the form of diet coke and was ready to take the test. I get to the testing center and hour and a half early and was the first one there. I expected one other anal person to be there, but just me. I get out my baggy that I am allowed to take into the test, the baggy I packed with Mom a week in advance. A one-gallon Ziplock bag filled with snacks, a drink, highlighters, tissues, antibacterial hand sanitizer, analog watch (no digital allowed), ticket stub, pencil sharpener, and pencils...pencils? Where were my pre-sharpened, pre-packed, eight number 2, not mechanical (another rule) pencils? I laughingly, thank god I'm anal and got there so early because otherwise I would not have been laughing, turned my car back on, left the parking lot and went to go buy more pencils at the gas station.
By the time I got back, there was another car in the parking lot. We both stayed in our vehicles while passing the time. I got out three of my LSAT books and stared warming up my brain. Answer some questions but don't check the answers. This was about warming up my brain, not freaking myself out. I listened to some music and watched as more people arrived. When a stream of people started heading into the building with their baggies in hand, I got out with my own baggy and went in.
Another rule is that you aren't allowed out of the room once you go in. I had caffeine this morning, so I knew I was going to have to pee. I waited out of the room for a little bit (I was still 40 minutes early). Then I got up and went to the restroom. I walked right into the boy's restroom. And there were boys in it. I turned around, walked out and went into the right restroom.
Then I went into my classroom. Sat down and waited for the test.
I feel good about it. I think I didn't do as good as I wanted to, but I didn't do as bad as I was afraid to. My test started with a reading section, which ironically had become my weakest section. It was the first section where I had to figure out my time and pacing. I didn't do as well as I wanted to on it. Second and third sections were arguments. I feel really good about my time management on arguments. I was balanced. I always had time left over to check my answers. And I felt like I understood the questions.
The fourth section was Logic Games, and although I am really good at them with enough time, without time, I am not so good. My pacing wasn't the best on this section either. I was down to the last problem and I had a choice, with two minutes left. Check my bubbles to make sure they are right, or work on the last question. I guessed on the question and checked my other bubbles.
The fifth section was arguments. Again, I feel really confident about my response. Then we had the essay and I wrote a really good essay in 35 minutes (even though the essay isn't scored).
After the test, I walked out, hopped in my car and headed home. I took a nap. And then I went out with Brooke and Abby to celebrate.
"It's not a three day weekend. I have an appointment." My school doesn't know that I am leaving yet.
"An appointment that lasts all day?"
Awkward pause. "Yes."
Guffaw. "Three day weekend."
I took Friday off to have one last chance to study. I spent all morning studying, met Mom for lunch, got my oil changed and took off for Waco. I still, despite leaving early, got caught in rush hour traffic. I arrived in Waco, got my hotel, and started studying some more. Along the way I was getting text-messaged well wishes. "Message received."
I found the law center where I was taking my test and went in to see the room as well. I was prepared.
I panicked the night of. Poor Mom was given the duty of calling me to tell me that the testing center was the same (they recommend that we check the night before because they are known to change at the last minute). I was in a full-blown freak out and she got to talk me down.
I woke up the next morning feeling positive, determined and excited. None of the negative emotions from the night before. I got more well-wishes going in, which increased my determination.
I had consumed my caffeine in the form of diet coke and was ready to take the test. I get to the testing center and hour and a half early and was the first one there. I expected one other anal person to be there, but just me. I get out my baggy that I am allowed to take into the test, the baggy I packed with Mom a week in advance. A one-gallon Ziplock bag filled with snacks, a drink, highlighters, tissues, antibacterial hand sanitizer, analog watch (no digital allowed), ticket stub, pencil sharpener, and pencils...pencils? Where were my pre-sharpened, pre-packed, eight number 2, not mechanical (another rule) pencils? I laughingly, thank god I'm anal and got there so early because otherwise I would not have been laughing, turned my car back on, left the parking lot and went to go buy more pencils at the gas station.
By the time I got back, there was another car in the parking lot. We both stayed in our vehicles while passing the time. I got out three of my LSAT books and stared warming up my brain. Answer some questions but don't check the answers. This was about warming up my brain, not freaking myself out. I listened to some music and watched as more people arrived. When a stream of people started heading into the building with their baggies in hand, I got out with my own baggy and went in.
Another rule is that you aren't allowed out of the room once you go in. I had caffeine this morning, so I knew I was going to have to pee. I waited out of the room for a little bit (I was still 40 minutes early). Then I got up and went to the restroom. I walked right into the boy's restroom. And there were boys in it. I turned around, walked out and went into the right restroom.
Then I went into my classroom. Sat down and waited for the test.
I feel good about it. I think I didn't do as good as I wanted to, but I didn't do as bad as I was afraid to. My test started with a reading section, which ironically had become my weakest section. It was the first section where I had to figure out my time and pacing. I didn't do as well as I wanted to on it. Second and third sections were arguments. I feel really good about my time management on arguments. I was balanced. I always had time left over to check my answers. And I felt like I understood the questions.
The fourth section was Logic Games, and although I am really good at them with enough time, without time, I am not so good. My pacing wasn't the best on this section either. I was down to the last problem and I had a choice, with two minutes left. Check my bubbles to make sure they are right, or work on the last question. I guessed on the question and checked my other bubbles.
The fifth section was arguments. Again, I feel really confident about my response. Then we had the essay and I wrote a really good essay in 35 minutes (even though the essay isn't scored).
After the test, I walked out, hopped in my car and headed home. I took a nap. And then I went out with Brooke and Abby to celebrate.
posted by tayjay at 6:32 AM
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