Dealing with School Deadlines

Arrange to meet with a friend or study buddy at least every two weeks, or once a week if you can. During your meetings, show and explain to your partner what you've done since you last met. Having someone else keep track of your progress will provide outside pressure, encouraging you to keep up with your deadlines.

If Deadlines Make You Nervous

Give yourself plenty of time! Working steadily and regularly prevents last-minute pressure. You'll find tips on how to do this in Chapter 1, "Getting Started." Do what it takes to keep calm and cool-even if it means reading or writing in the bathtub!

Juggling Several Projects at Once

What if you have more than one study project due at the same time? Think of it as building all the walls of your house, a bit at a time, so the four walls will be finished together. Start the more complicated project, or the more challenging subject immediately. Give it 20 minutes at a time, more or less, depending on your learning tempo. Weave in study time for the other subjects, using one as a study break from the others. Devote smaller amounts of time to simpler projects, but be careful not to neglect them entirely.

MAKING TIME

You want to make the most of the time of day that works best for you, particularly if you're learning something new. But you can also make good use of less optimal times during your day. Remember, every little bit counts. Six study periods of ten minutes each make a total of one full hour. Try any of the following times in your day-to-day schedule to see which of them work for you.

While Showering or Working Out

Perhaps a good time to study is the time you have to yourself while you're in the shower, or running, walking, or doing other exercise. With few other distractions, you can be thinking about what you've recently read or learned in a class. Consider it your physical-and mental-tune-up time.

On Your Way to Work or Class

If you take a bus, train, or ferry, you can listen to tapes on a headset or read and write in your notebook or reading log. (See Chapter 10, "Getting More Out of Reading," for creating and working with reading logs.) If you drive, you can listen to a tape (but not a headset-you might not be able to hear an emergency vehicle), or you can be thinking about something you've read recently.

At Lunch

This can be a good time to read and write in your reading log. If you routinely lunch with others, excuse yourself early or reserve a couple of lunchtimes a week for some studying.

While Doing Chores

Household chores occupy your hands, but free your mind-and ears- for thinking, talking (even if it's to yourself!), and listening to tapes.