Time Change and Healthy Sleep

With Daylight Saving Time ending soon, Megan, an LSAT Demon Daily listener, posed an intriguing question: Should she take any steps to mitigate potential negative effects from the upcoming time change?

Time Change Concerns

While it’s understandable to want to fine-tune every possible variable before taking the LSAT, factors like the time change aren’t the things that should seriously impact your LSAT performance. Remember, the time change in the fall actually gives you an extra hour, and since it happens days before the LSAT, you’ll have time to adjust.

Megan’s concern is a great example of how the LSAT—and the preparation for it—can make prospective law students hyperaware of every detail. It’s lawyerly of Megan to ask. Lawyers are known for thinking through every potential outcome and managing even the smallest variables. It’s equally important not to give the LSAT more weight than it deserves. Once you’re prepared, the LSAT is easy because every question is fully solvable. Once you’ve learned to solve each question one at a time, nothing can stop you from crushing the LSAT. 

The Time Change and Daylight

One common misconception that comes up around the end of Daylight Saving Time is that it somehow dramatically alters the amount of daylight in the day. But as Erik Johanson, one of our excellent LSAT Demon teachers, pointed out during the podcast, that’s not the case.

The time change revolves only around what the clock says, not the position of the sun. Whether your LSAT starts at 8 a.m. or 7 a.m., the amount of daylight in the day stays the same. You simply get an extra hour overnight when the clocks go back.

Prioritize Healthy Sleep, Not the Clock

The real key to managing time changes—or anything else leading up to the LSAT—is getting good sleep. Sleep is essential, not just the night before the test, but in the weeks leading up to it. A rested brain is a high-functioning one, and that matters more than fretting what time the sun will rise in the morning.

Here’s some practical advice for improving your sleep before the LSAT:

1. Let the Sun Guide You: Try aligning your sleep with the natural setting of the sun. Human bodies have evolved to sleep more during the winter months and to become more alert with the sunrise. If you start adjusting now by going to bed earlier, your body will thank you on test day.

2. Ditch Bright Screens: Whether it’s your phone, your TV, or even a laptop, avoid using bright devices right before bed. These screens emit blue light, which can keep you more awake. Consider switching to paper books or an e-reader like a Kindle with dimmed, warm light settings instead.

3. Sleep in a Cold, Dark Room: Many people overlook how temperature impacts sleep. A cooler room can help you drift off more easily, so prioritize a cold, dark, quiet environment for optimal rest.

Bottom Line: Don’t Overthink It

At the end of the day, don’t let stuff like the time change overcomplicate your LSAT prep. It’s natural to want everything to be perfect, but that mindset can sometimes do more harm than good. If you’ve prepared well and your practice tests consistently reflect your target score, a one-hour shift in the clock won’t make or break your performance.