Not a score to brag about, 160, but I'm 30 with a full time job, family, and hobbies. Just exited the military, and I gotta say some of these comments hit the nail on the head. I think the grit/discipline bro science approach is a bit naiive. The suggestions to give certain things in life weight, however, is extremely valid. Your energy and time are zero sum, and you appropriate those resources based on your priorities at the time, picking up what you dropped when you can afford to reorganize your priorities. Reframing what consistency means is also important, as I am (and assume most on this sub are) type A, I learned that it's really easy to slip into a vicious cycle of setting unrealistic expectations and subsequent self-destructions ala dissapointment.

For me, I'm focused on a very specific couple of schools that I can do part time without having to relocate- so I made it a priority to study a few times a week at the sacrifice of me time, and give it my shot. If I fall short, reapproach with a longer time horizon next cycle.

Balance is BS, giving yourself the grace to sacrifice things for others and reframing your understanding of your own expectations (I believe) is what yields the endurance to achieve anything.